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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Syria crisis: 'First UK jihadist' in suicide attack | 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 Syrian city of Aleppo last week. | |
| If confirmed, this would be the first known attack of its type 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. | 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. | 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. | 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' |
| Officials told the BBC the bomber was "probably British" but the Foreign Office was unable to confirm this without DNA evidence. | |
| Britain's domestic intelligence service MI5 is leading a joint investigation with police into the allegations. The probe is focused on the Crawley area of Sussex. | |
| The al-Nusra Front earlier 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |