Top Syrian militant killed in airstrike near Aleppo

ALEPPO, Syria, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- A top Syrian militant has been killed in an air strike on a meeting of militant leaders near Aleppo, rebel sources said Thursday.

Military commander Abu Omar Sarakeb was killed in the strike and was part of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, the group tweeted. It is not known in which airstrike Sarakeb was killed.

The militant group changed its name and association with al-Qaida in July. It has since become part of the Army of Conquest, the single largest anti-Assad alliance in the country.

Jabhat Fateh al-Sham has been a key military unit against the Syrian army and Iranian backed Shiite militias.