Al-Qaeda's leader in Syria killed as graphic picture of body shows bloody head wound

The leader of Al-Qaeda in Syria has been killed during fighting in the city of Aleppo.

Graphic images of Sheikh Abu Sulaiman Al Masri's body, with a bloody head wound, have been shared online.

His death has apparently been confirmed by Sunni Islamic jihadist militants the al-Nusra Front - his wing of Al-Qaeda within Syria.

It is not yet clear how exactly he died, although it is believed he was killed by Syrian and Russian armed forces.

Al-Masri's death will be considered a huge blow to the terror group, which is considered the second largest jihadist organisation in the country next to Islamic State.

But for Russian president Vladimir Putin, it will be seen as justification for his decision to launch air strikes on the war-torn country in support of embattled Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad and his forces.

Mail Online