CNN —An Israeli airstrike near the Lebanese-Syrian border has killed a prominent Syrian businessman who was sanctioned by the United States, local media reported Monday.
Mohammad Baraa Qatarji died when the strike hit the car he was traveling in on the al-Saboura highway near Damascus, according to Syrian state-aligned newspaper al-Watan.
According to the US Treasury website, Qatarji had a strong working relationship with officials within the Syrian government, including in the ministries of oil and trade.
Qatarji and his two brothers Zahed and Hussam – who are also sanctioned by OFAC – established a militia that fought alongside the Syrian regime in Aleppo in 2016.
CNN has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) about the strike but has not yet received a response.
Persons:
Mohammad Baraa Qatarji, Qatarji, OFAC, Qatirji, Hussam –, OFAC –, Muhammad Sa’id al
Organizations:
CNN, US Treasury, Foreign Assets, ISIS, Treasury, Law, Qatirji Company, Israel Defense Forces
Locations:
Lebanese, Syrian, United States, Saboura, Damascus, Syria, Aleppo, Lebanon