Top HTS leader killed in Idlib
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – A top Iraqi leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front), Abu Maria al-Qahtani, was killed and other militants were injured on Thursday night as a result of an explosion in the city of Sarmada in Idlib Governorate, northwestern Syria.
The HTS, through its own media outlet Amjad, announced the killing of al-Qahtani as a result of an explosive belt by a militants of ISIS.
Al-Qahtani, whose real name is Maysr al-Jabouri, holds Iraqi nationality and entered Syria in 2011. He has been sanctioned by the U.S. since 2012.
On March 7, the HTS released al-Qahtani following a seven-month arrest over allegations of collaborating with foreign entities.