The opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced that the top Iraqi origin commander was killed during an operation carried out by the army in Al-Sukhnah Town on Wednesday.

The London-based group, however, did not reveal the name of the terrorist leader.

Syrian army also on Thursday clashed with militant groups in al-Khalidiya district in Homs, making advances in its neighborhoods including al-Khalidiya and Bab Houd.

The Syrian army has conducted successful operations against the Takfiri militants over the past weeks.

The conflict in Syria started in March 2011, when pro-reform protests turned into a massive insurgency following the intervention of Western and regional states.

The unrest, which took in terrorist groups from across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, has transpired as one of the bloodiest conflicts in recent history.

MRKD/BA