Syria: Maldivian who died in Syria is a top rebel commander

The Maldivian citizen killed by the Syrian army during clashes was a top field commander for the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – an al Qaeda-affiliate, says the Syrian government.

Syrian government-affiliated newspaper Al-Masdar News reported this Monday that the Maldivian citizen – identified only as Abu Saad Al-Maldifi - was killed in the latest clashes in the Beit Jinn pocket bordering Israel.

It said that Abu Saad was one of many foreign fighters originating from Asia fighting in Beit Jinn.

It also said it was not whether the group of foreign fighters made their way into southern Syria through Israel or Jordan.

The Syrian government has accused neighboring Israel of harboring and providing medical aerial and logistical support to rebels fighting against the Syrian government.