Rebel leader reported killed in powerful Syria Airstrike-New York Times

Rebel leader reported killed in powerful Syria Airstrike-New York Times

The Commander of one of Syria's most powerful rebel groups on the outskirts of the Syrian capital, Damascus, was killed Friday in the airstrike, the Government and its opponents. The death of the Commander, Zahran Alloush, is a significant blow to armed resistance, bolstering President Bashar al-Assad ahead of a new round of planned peace talks.

Mr. Alloush led the army of Islam, a group that recently agreed to participate in the political process that seeks to end the five-year-old conflict. The army of Islam is considered by the Government of Syria's most powerful ally, and Russia, as a sectariangroup, terrorists are a bit different from the other extremist groups like Islamic State.

Local opposition figures achieved in Damascus said the air raid had been carried out byRussia fighter planes, but that the information was not immediately confirmed by Russia,Syria, or officials.

Analysts said the attacks do what longstanding efforts by the Government of Syria and its allies to remove the group claim to occupy the middle ground between Mr. Assadand the Islamic State. This effort is part of a wider aim to improve Mr. Assad's standingamong the Western Governments, who hated him but also see the Islamic State as a threat.

Members of the Islamic Army sent to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this month for talks betweenopposition groups that aimed to choose representatives for the third round ofinternational peace talks, scheduled for the beginning of 2016.

Mr. Alloush and his faction was not universally accepted in Syria opposition — they are widely blamed for the disappearance of four opposition secular activists of the Damascussuburb of Douma. But unlike armed groups hard-line Islamic army, has demonstrated a new interest in taking part in politics, said Ibrahim Hamidi, a correspondent for Syria toAl Hayat, the pan-Arab newspaper.

Mr. Hamidi, who opposed the Government of Syria, said that by having successfullytargeted Mr. Alloush, Mr. Assad and his ally Russia have shown their desire to pursuethe completion of the military. "This is a rejection of talks Riyadh," he said.

The army of Islam conquered much of urban sprawl East of the Damascus Ghouta, known as the East, territory that has been under blockade and bombardment byGovernment forces for the better part of four years.

Supporters of the Government welcomed the death of Mr. Alloush, blaming him for the periodic return from civilian areas in Damascus. The Government's opponents say he has been instrumental in restraining other extremist groups from doing bad attack into the city.

Opponents also argue that the army of Islam, which sees the Islamic State as enemiesand competitors, has been important in keeping the group from breaking closer to Damascus, and debilitating that it could open the door to progress by fighters of the Islamic State.