Top Syrian Rebel Leader Killed in Bombing Outside Damascus

BEIRUT – The leader of Jaysh al-Islam, Zahran Alloush, one of the best known rebel leaders of Syria, died on Friday in a bombing in the region of Eastern Ghouta, the main opposition stronghold outside Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The circumstances and the timing of his death are still unclear.

The NGO, citing senior leaders within the rebel organization, said that Alloush died along with five other leaders of the group and eight militants during a meeting held in Eastern Ghouta. Dozens of the rebel fighters were also injured in the bombing.

It is unknown whether the bombing was carried out by Syrian regime or Russian aircraft.

Syrian authorities accuse the group of firing rockets from Eastern Ghouta against the center of Damascus.