BEIRUT – Al-Qaeda’s North African branch has confirmed the death of a prominent leader of the network’s Syrian affiliate, Abu Firas al-Suri, in a United States air strike in Syria on Sunday.

A statement by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb’s (AQIM) media wing posted online late on Tuesday paid tribute to Abu Firas and said a US air raid killed him.

The statement, dated April 4, appeared to be the first public confirmation by al-Qaeda.

US officials told Reuters on Monday the United States carried out an air strike that killed Abu Firas.

He was a senior member of al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate the Nusra Front’s policy-making Shura Council.

A Pentagon spokesman said a US air strike on Sunday hit a meeting of high-level al Qaeda officials in northwest Syria at which Abu Firas was present, and said the United States was still confirming whether Abu Firas had been killed.

In Syria, a temporary cease fire between government forces and rebels has largely been held since February 27, but it does not cover al-Nusra and Islamic State.

On Monday, it was reported that the Islamic State’s press officer in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor was killed in an airstrike while covering fighting between the jihadists and regime troops.

– with other agencies