{BNN/ DAMASCUS, Syria} – : Hezbollah’s most senior military leader Mustafa Amine Badreddine has been killed in an attack in Damascus, the Lebanese Shi’ite group said on May 13. Badreddine was killed in a large explosion near Damascus airport.
According to reports, the U.S. had said that Badreddine, who supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was “responsible for Hezbollah’s military operations in Syria since 2011, including the movement of Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon to Syria, in support of the Syrian regime.”
The U.S. Treasury had reportedly imposed sanctions on Badreddine last July.
Badreddine was the brother-in-law of the late Hezbollah military commander, Imad Moughniyah, and his death is said to be the latest big loss sustained by Hezbollah.
According to Reuters, Hezbollah said that Badreddine was killed in a big explosion targeting one of its bases near Damascus airport.
An investigation is on to determine whether the explosion was caused by an air strike, a missile attack, or artillery bombardment.
Hezbollah has however not stated when he was killed.
The Lebanese TV station al-Mayadeen reportedly said that Badreddine was killed in an attack by Israel, which has targeted Hezbollah in Syria many times. Israel has not responded to these claims.
Yaakov Amidror, a former national security adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said that Badreddine’s death was good news for Israel but did not comment on its involvement.
He said, “This is good for Israel. Israel isn’t always responsible for this. We don’t know if Israel is responsible for this. Remember that those operating in Syria today have a lot of haters without Israel. But from Israel’s view, the more people with experience, like Badreddine, who disappear from the wanted list, the better.”
According to reports, Hezbollah has lost four prominent members since January.
