German militant leader killed in Western Syria

Foreign-backed Militants in Syria (file photo)

German national Abu Zaid al-Almani who was a leader of foreign-backed militants in Syria has been killed in the country’s Western coastal province of Latakia.

Almani was killed during clashes in the village of Dourin in the suburbs of Lattakia.

Earlier on Sunday, Syrian Army troops killed another commander of a foreign-sponsored militant group affiliated with the al-Qaeda, Abu Malik al-Shahri, during a mop-up operation in Latakia.

Shahri, generally known as the Bin Laden of Syria, was a comrade of the slain founder of the al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Ladan. He was reportedly involved in the slaughter of many civilians and government soldiers across Syria.

Over the past few days, Syrian forces have killed scores of Takfiri militants - mostly foreign mercenaries - in Latakia.

Syria has been gripped by deadly turmoil since 2011.

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.

Reports indicate that Western powers and their regional allies - especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey - are supporting the militants operating inside the country.

President Bashar al-Assad said on August 5 that Syria would strike terror “with an iron fist.”
ASH/HGH