Russia says it has killed 12 commanders of jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra
Moscow — On Wednesday, Russia said it had killed 12 field commanders of al-Qaeda’s former Syria affiliate, adding the group’s top leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani had lost an arm and was in a "critical condition". Defence ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said the strike was the result of a special operation to avenge an attack on Russian military police in the so-called Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria, on September 18. "As a result of the strike, the leader of Jabhat al-Nusra, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani received multiple serious shrapnel wounds, lost an arm and is in a critical condition, according to several independent sources," Konashenkov said in a statement. He said 12 field commanders including al-Jolani’s security chief were also killed along with about 50 guards. More than 10 fighters received moderate and serious blast injuries, he said, adding that Sukhoi Su-34 and Su-35 jets were used to target the jihadists. The Moscow-led forces were able to hunt down the jihadist grou...
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