Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Hizbullah is said to have killed a top operative of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant near the Syrian border with Lebanon.

The Syrian opposition said Hizbullah targeted a leading member of ISIL in Lebanon. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified the ISIL operative as Abu Abdullah Al Iraqi, who organized numerous attacks.

“Al Iraqi was one of the officials in the Islamic State in charge of preparing suicide attacks,” Syrian Observatory said.

In a statement on Aug. 19, Syrian Observatory said Al Iraqi, who also operated in Lebanon, was killed by an improvised explosive device in the Qalamoun region near the Lebanese border. Three other ISIL operatives were also killed in the attack.

“He was killed by a roadside bomb planted by Hizbullah that detonated as his vehicle passed by,” Syrian Observatory said.

The marked one of the first reports of Hizbullah operations against ISIL. Hizbullah has often led Syrian Army operations against rebel strongholds along the Lebanese border as well as around major cities.

Hizbullah has not confirmed the report. Hizbullah’ Al Manar television confirmed Al Iraq’s death, but said he was killed by the Syrian Army.

“The Islamic State official Abu Abdullah Al Iraqi has been killed in a Syrian army operation in Qalamoun,” Al Manar said. “He was in charge of preparing suicide bombers and the cars used in bomb attacks including those carried out in Lebanon.”

  Abu Abdullah Al Iraqi, Qalamoun, Report: Hizbullah roadside bomb kills top ISIL operative, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights