Iraq militant killed in Syria strike blamed on Israel

BAGHDAD – A militant from Iraq’s Kata’ib Hezbollah armed group was killed Friday in a strike targeting pro-Iran factions in Syria, a group member said, blaming Israel for the attack.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said a Kata’ib Hezbollah member was killed, but was unable to verify the strike itself.

The Britain-based monitor, which relies on a network of sources on the ground in Syria, said the member’s burned-out vehicle was found about 10 kilometres (six miles) from Damascus airport.

The Kata’ib Hezbollah member said the Israeli raid hit one of the group’s premises, killing Abu Haidar Al-Khafaji, a senior member of the group.

Another member was reportedly wounded in the attack.

The Observatory said the strike occurred about five kilometres from Sayeda Zeinab, a Shiite shrine town on the outskirts of the Syrian capital.

Its director, Rami Abdel Rahman, said a militant was killed but yet to be identified, and the burnt vehicle was found at dawn near the targeted site.

The United States has also targeted the militant group, mainly in eastern Syria.

In June, an air strike killed three pro-Iran fighters, including two Iraqis. The Iraqi Sayyed al-Shuhada Brigades confirmed the death of one of its members.

The latest raid comes amid heightened regional tensions after nearly a year of war in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier this year, a series of drone and rocket strikes targeted the international anti-jihadist coalition in Iraq and Syria, which is led by Israel’s main ally the United States.

The attacks, claimed by pro-Iranian armed groups, prompted Kata’ib Hezbollah to announce the suspension of their activities in January. A relative calm has since prevailed.

AFP