Beirut: Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group says one of its top commanders has been killed while fighting in Syria.
The 44-year-old Ali Al Hadi Al Ashiq is the latest fatality for the Shiite group that has fought alongside Syrian government forces in an effort to bolster the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad since 2012.
Hezbollah said on Wednesday that he was killed “while fighting Daesh” in the central desert of Palmyra on Monday.
Hezbollah sent thousands of fighters to Syria, helping government forces in major battlefields victories against armed opposition.
More than 1,000 Hezbollah fighters have been killed there.
Al Ashiq, also known by his nickname Al Haj Abbas, was among first Hezbollah commanders sent to Syria and he took part in the key battle in Al Qusair, near the Lebanese border.
He also fought against Israel.
