Senior Al Qaeda-linked cleric in Syria injured in assassination attempt

Sources told The National Abdullah Al Muhaysini was being injured after a device exploded under his car

Saudi born cleric Abdullah Al Muhaysini
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Abdullah Al Muhaysini, a senior cleric with close ties to Jabhat Fatah Al Sham, was injured on Thursday in an assassination attempt in Northern Syria.

Security sources told The National that they believe the Saudi-born cleric was being treated after an explosive device exploded under his car somewhere in Northern Syria.

Jabhat Fatah Al Sham, the group formerly known as Jabhat Al Nusra – the Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, is one of the most powerful groups in opposition-held Syria.

The incident took place on Thursday amid a wave of assassination attempts of various figures in the opposition-held province of Idlib.

A broad range of individuals were targeted yesterday, including members of  the Free Syrian Army, Islamist groups, journalists and civilians in a wave of attacks carried out by unknown assailants.

It is unclear how serious Al Muhaysini’s condition is, and whether or not it is life-threatening.

Born in Saudi Arabia, the cleric is known for his close ties to Jabhat Fatah Al Sham, though in recent months he has acted as an interlocutor amid splits between Idlib’s numerous feuding groups.

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