Main al-Nusra Front commander killed in Qusayr clashes

The main commander of the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front has been reportedly killed in clashes with the Syrian army in the western city of al-Qusayr.

According to Syria’s national television, top al-Nusra Front commander identified as Abu Omar was killed in al-Qusayr on Tuesday as clashes between Syrian troops and foreign-backed militants in the border town entered their third day.

The Syrian army says it is now in control of more than 70 percent of the strategic city, which connects the capital city of Damascus to the Mediterranean port of Tartous.

Intense fighting is reported to be still under way in some parts of al-Qusayr, about 30 km southwest of Homs, with the Syrian army making advances on terrorist groups fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

According to Syria’s official news agency, SANA, scores of militants were killed in clashes with government forces on Tuesday. Syrian troops also defused several explosive devices in the city.

Syrian troops entered al-Qusayr from several directions on May 19 after weeks of clashes with militants. Syrian sources say over 100 militants have been killed in the military operation to clear al-Qusayr of militants.

On Monday, Syrian army confiscated an Israeli military vehicle used by foreign-backed militants in al-Qusayr. A number of military uniforms as well as wiretapping and jamming equipment were found in the vehicle.