U.S.: Al-Qaeda leader killed in Syrian airstrike

Jim Michaels | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Pentagon: Al-Qaeda finance chief killed in airstrike The U.S. says coalition airstrikes in Syria killed Sanafi al-Nasr, who had moved radicals into Syria and managed Al Qaeda's finances. Video provided by Newsy

The top al-Qaeda financial operative has been killed in northwest Syria by a coalition airstrike, the Pentagon confirmed Sunday.

Sanafi al-Nasr, the highest ranking leader of the network of veteran al-Qaeda operatives sometimes called the Khorasan Group, was killed Thursday, the Pentagon said. Al-Nasr was described as a long-time jihadist experienced in funneling money and fighters for al-Qaeda, moving funds from donors in the Gulf region into Iraq and then to al-Qaeda leaders from Pakistan to Syria.

"The United States will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt and destroy al-Qaeda and it's remnants," Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a statement. "This operation deals a significant blow to the Khorasan Group's plans to attack the United States and our allies, and once again proves that those who seek to do us harm are not beyond our reach."

The Treasury Department named Al-Nasr a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in August 2014.

The Saudi national organized and maintained routes for new recruits to travel from Pakistan to Syria through Turkey, the Pentagon said. Al-Nasr previously worked for al-Qaeda's Iran-based network, and in 2012 he reportedly took charge of al-Qaeda's core finances before relocating to Syria in 2013.

Al-Nasr is the fifth senior Khorasan Group leader killed in the last four months.



