Syrian state-run television says the leader of a powerful al-Qaida-linked rebel group has been killed in western Syria.
The report Friday said the head of Jabhat al-Nusra, Abu Mohammad al-Golani, was killed in the coastal province of Latakia.
There has been no independent verification of the claim and the state media did not give other details.
The extremist group, also known as Nusra Front, is on a U.S. State Department list of terrorist organizations. The group has emerged as one of the most effective among rebel groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Al-Golani's death would be a huge blow to rebels who have been fragmented and outgunned by Assad's forces.
The report Friday said the head of Jabhat al-Nusra, Abu Mohammad al-Golani, was killed in the coastal province of Latakia.
There has been no independent verification of the claim and the state media did not give other details.
The extremist group, also known as Nusra Front, is on a U.S. State Department list of terrorist organizations. The group has emerged as one of the most effective among rebel groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Al-Golani's death would be a huge blow to rebels who have been fragmented and outgunned by Assad's forces.