This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24680236

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Syrian Islamist rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani 'killed' Syrian Islamist rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani 'killed'
(35 minutes later)
Syrian state TV says the head of the al-Qaeda linked al-Nusra Front, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has been killed in western Syria.Syrian state TV says the head of the al-Qaeda linked al-Nusra Front, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has been killed in western Syria.
Details are unclear but the report said he had been killed in the coastal province of Latakia.Details are unclear but the report said he had been killed in the coastal province of Latakia.
There has been no independent verification of the claim.There has been no independent verification of the claim.
The group has emerged as one of the most powerful rebel groups since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.The group has emerged as one of the most powerful rebel groups since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.
It first announced its existence in a video in January 2012 and has said it was behind many of the suicide bombings that have rocked the country.It first announced its existence in a video in January 2012 and has said it was behind many of the suicide bombings that have rocked the country.
The group is believed to have led numerous attacks against government targets, including the capture of a key airbase in the north.The group is believed to have led numerous attacks against government targets, including the capture of a key airbase in the north.
In response to the bombing campaign the US designated al-Nusra as a terrorist organisation.In response to the bombing campaign the US designated al-Nusra as a terrorist organisation.
Correspondents say that, if confirmed, al-Jolani's death would be a major coup for the Syrian government.Correspondents say that, if confirmed, al-Jolani's death would be a major coup for the Syrian government.
It brands all the rebels fighting against it "terrorists" including mainstream groups backed by the West and Arab states.It brands all the rebels fighting against it "terrorists" including mainstream groups backed by the West and Arab states.
Deadly ambush
Fighters from al-Nusra were reported to be among some 20 rebels killed in an ambush by government forces near the capital Damascus on Friday.Fighters from al-Nusra were reported to be among some 20 rebels killed in an ambush by government forces near the capital Damascus on Friday.
The ambush happened in the Eastern Ghouta region, scene of August's poison gas attack that prompted a UN Security Council resolution calling for the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.The ambush happened in the Eastern Ghouta region, scene of August's poison gas attack that prompted a UN Security Council resolution calling for the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.
State TV broadcast images showing bodies of men lying in an open area near a small river, along with scattered automatic rifles and hand grenades. A caption read: "Eastern Ghouta is a graveyard of terrorists''.State TV broadcast images showing bodies of men lying in an open area near a small river, along with scattered automatic rifles and hand grenades. A caption read: "Eastern Ghouta is a graveyard of terrorists''.
"It was a highly accurate operation. `We will be moving from one victory to another," an army officer told state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV."It was a highly accurate operation. `We will be moving from one victory to another," an army officer told state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV.
UK-based activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 20 fighters were killed in the ambush but gave no further details.UK-based activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 20 fighters were killed in the ambush but gave no further details.
In another development, at least 20 people including children were reported killed in a car bomb blast in Syria, outside a mosque in a town in Damascus province.
The blast, in the town of Suq Wadi Barada, came just before the end of Friday prayers and brought down the mosque's entrances.
At least three children were among the dead and dozens more wounded, the Observatory said.
State media blamed opposition forces, saying the bomb exploded while it was being assembled. However, rebel leaders blamed government troops.