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Mosque bombing in northern Syria kills 15 members of al-Qaida’s affiliate

At least 10 members of Syria’s al-Qaeda affiliate, al-Nusra Front, have been killed in a blast at a mosque in north-western Idlib province, activists say.

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People had been gathering at the mosque to break their Ramadan fast when there was an explosion, the monitoring group said.

The strong blast injured “dozens”, the report added, saying many of those were in critical condition and the death toll was expected to rise.

No group announced responsibility, but supporters of the al-Nusra Front blamed rival Islamic State militants who have fought the group on several frontlines in Syria.

Syrian opposition factions, including Nusra Front, under the joint military command of Jaysh al-Fatah had seized control of Idlib city in March 2014.

The region borders Turkey and neighbours President Bashar al-Assad’s heartland in Latakia province on the Mediterranean coast. At least 25 people were reported killed, though some put the figure as high as 40.

The Observatory said the resort was subjected to more than 90 air strikes yesterday.

The Syrian Revolution General Commission said in a statement that the mosque attack took place during Iftar (Ramadan evening breakfast) that was set up by the Nusra Front group. He said the Nusra Front commander in Idlib province, Abu Abdullah al-Tunisi, was either wounded or killed.

Ariha was one of the last government strongholds in Idlib when it was captured by rebels in May.

The numbers were obtained by activists with access to various cities around the country. It said the attack, which killed at least two opposition fighters, was being conducted by Hezbollah and Syria’s elite 4th Division.

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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported heavy clashes in several parts of Aleppo’s west side.

monitor - TODAYonline