Activists from British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an explosion Friday at a mosque in Syria’s Idlib Province killed at least 31 members of al-Nusra Front, Reuters reported.
The explosion occurred in the town of Ariha as members of the al-Qaeda-linked hardline group were gathered at the mosque for an iftar meal to break the daily fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Varying accounts of the blast have conflicting casualty figures, with some opposition social media sites claiming over 40 people were dead. According to the Observatory, a senior member of the extremist group was amongst those killed.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Supporters of al-Nusra Front have blamed rival Daesh extremists, who have fought al-Nusra militants on various fronts in Syria.
Al-Nusra Front has been involved in recent days in an alliance of Islamist groups fighting to take over the northern city of Aleppo. Control of Aleppo has been divided between government and rebel forces since 2012, when insurgent groups seized the eastern half of the city in a major offensive.
A statement released by the alliance said they plan to “liberate the city of Aleppo” and rule it according to the principles of Islamic Sharia law, reported BBC.
