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Syria crisis: 'First UK jihadist' in suicide attack | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
UK officials believe a British man may have carried out a suicide bombing in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo last week. | |
If confirmed, this would be the first known such attack by a Briton in Syria. | |
The al-Qaeda-linked rebel group in Syria, al-Nusra Front, named the man as Abu Suleiman al-Britani. He is thought to be from Sussex. | |
Hundreds of British nationals are reported to have gone to Syria to fight against government forces. | |
One in 10 foreign militants is believed to be from Europe, while most of the others are thought to have come from Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Libya. | |
Prisoners 'escape' | Prisoners 'escape' |
The al-Nusra Front said Abu Suleiman al-Britani had driven a truck full of explosives at the walls of Aleppo prison on Thursday and detonated it. | |
The bombing was reportedly part of an attempted jailbreak by fighters from the hardline Islamist groups, Ahrar-al-Sham and the al-Nusra Front. | The bombing was reportedly part of an attempted jailbreak by fighters from the hardline Islamist groups, Ahrar-al-Sham and the al-Nusra Front. |
Heavy fighting broke out between the rebels and Syrian forces, causing dozens of casualties on both sides. | Heavy fighting broke out between the rebels and Syrian forces, causing dozens of casualties on both sides. |
Activists said as many as 300 inmates managed to escape, but the Syrian government denied the report. | Activists said as many as 300 inmates managed to escape, but the Syrian government denied the report. |
Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad regained control of most of the prison last Friday, after 24 hours of clashes. | Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad regained control of most of the prison last Friday, after 24 hours of clashes. |
Rebels have launched several attacks on the jail in recent months. Up to 3,000 inmates are believed to be held inside the prison. | |
Aleppo, in the country's north, has been the focus of bitter fighting between President Bashar al-Assad's forces and rebels. | |
Government helicopters have been dropping barrel bombs - crude weapons comprising cylinders packed with explosives and metal fragments - on rebel-held neighbourhoods. | |
Syria's conflict has claimed more than 100,000 lives since 2011 and has driven 9.5 million people from their homes. | Syria's conflict has claimed more than 100,000 lives since 2011 and has driven 9.5 million people from their homes. |