Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group operating in Iraq, announced the death of its senior commander and security spokesperson, Abu Ali al-Askari. The group’s leader, Ahmad al-Hamidawi, confirmed his death but did not provide details about the circumstances.

A security official said that al-Askari, also known as Abu Ali al-Amiri, was killed in a strike in Baghdad on Saturday. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions involving armed factions in the region.

Al-Askari had been linked to the kidnapping of Israeli researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was held captive for two and a half years before being released in September with assistance from Iraqi security services and pressure from the United States. Tsurkov stated that al-Askari was personally involved in her captivity and in spreading false claims about her, even after her release.