'Senior al-Qaida Leader' Killed in U.S. Strike in Syria

[TomSea]

'Senior al-Qaida Leader' Killed in U.S. Strike in Syria

A U.S. drone strike has killed a senior al-Qaida leader in Syria who previously operated in Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced Tuesday.

The November 18 strike near Sarmada in northwestern Syria targeted Abu Afghan al-Masri, Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said.

"He had ties to terrorist groups operating throughout Southwest Asia, including groups responsible for attacking U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan and those plotting to attack the West," Cook said.

Al-Masri was an Egyptian who originally joined al-Qaida in Afghanistan and later moved to its Syrian affiliate, Cook said.

Continued: http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/220824-senior-al-qaida-leader-killed-in-u-s-strike-in-syria