REUTERS

The al-Nusra Front, the Sunni Islamic jihadist militia fighting against Syrian Government forces in the civil war, confirmed Sheikh Abu Sulaiman al-Masri's death this morning, the report reads.

Images of his body, containing a bloody head wound, have been shared online with early reports suggesting he died fighting Assad forces.

Al-Masri's real name is believed to be Mahmud Maghwari, an Egyptian national, who had previously been sentenced to death in his homeland for fighting with Hamas in Gaza. 

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He was killed while commanding troops in Aleppo during a battle against Kurdish forces.

The experienced jihadi had previously had to have his thumb and several fingers amputated after they were badly damaged during in a battle.

The senior commander's death is considered a serious blow to the terror group's operations in the war torn Middle Eastern country.