Iraq's powerful armed group Kataeb Hezbollah has said its security commander, Abu Ali al-Askari, has been killed.
However, the group did not share details about the circumstances that led to his death.
The group’s leader, Ahmad al-Hamidawi, also known as Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel, “We announce the martyrdom of Haj Abu Ali al-Askari,” without providing any further details."
Abu Ali al-Askari was the spokesperson who was responsible for issuing all key statements in the group’s name.
According to the group’s statement, Askari will be replaced by Abou Moujahed al-Assaf as the new security chief, reported The Times of Israel.
He was killed at a time when tension across the Middle East had escalated after the US and Israel hit Tehran, prompting Iran to conduct a retaliatory attack across several Gulf nations.
The US had designated Kataeb Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation.
Officials continue to investigate the circumstances behind the commander’s death, anticipating additional information to surface, reported Iraqi News.