Hezbollah announces death of commander in clashes with Daesh

Hezbollah said on Wednesday that 44-year-old Ali al-Hadi al-Ashiqon, also known by his nickname Alhaj Abbas, was martyred in Syria’s central desert of Palmyra on Monday, AP reported.

The resistance movement has played a critical role in the Syrian military’s counter-terrorism operations over the past few years.

Daesh elements have lately retreated from much of the territory under their control amid sweeping advances by Syrian government forces on the battlefield.

On Friday, Syrian troops, backed by allied forces, foiled a Daesh attempt to wrest control of a strategic road connecting Palmyra to the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr.

“The Syrian army and its allies completely secured the Dayr al-Zawr-Palmyra highway after foiling the intense attack,” a Hezbollah media unit said.

Russia strike kills terrorist commanders

Separately on Wednesday, Russia said its latest air raid in Syria had critically injured one of the leaders of the so-called Tahrir al-Sham militant group and killed a dozen of his field commanders as well as around 50 of his bodyguard.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said in a statement that Abu Mohamad al-Golani was targeted in an intelligence-led special operation while he was meeting his commanders.

“As a result of the strike, the Nusra Front leader, Abu Mohamad al-Golani, sustained numerous shrapnel wounds and, having lost an arm, is in a critical condition, according to information from several independent sources,” he said.

Golani was the head of the Nusra Front terrorist group before it merged with other militant outfits to form the so-called Tahrir al-Sham in January 2017.

Russia has been conducting air raids against Daesh and other terrorist groups inside Syria at the Damascus government’s request since September 2015.

The strikes have helped Syrian forces advance against anti-Damascus militants.

KD