The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, says its top military commander Mustafa Badreddine was killed by Takfiri terrorist groups in Syria, adding his death will boost the movement's resolve to fight the extremist militants. 

In a statement released on Saturday, Hezbollah said investigation shows that Badreddine's death was caused by artillery shelling by the militants near the Damascus International Airport.

“Investigations have showed that the explosion, which targeted one of our bases …, and which led to the martyrdom of … Badreddine, was the result of artillery bombardment carried out by Takfiri groups in the area,” the statement read.

Badreddine's killing will only boost Hezbollah's "will and intention to continue fighting these criminal gangs," the statement added.

It emphasized that the Lebanese resistance movement is engaged in a war against the United States and the Israeli regime, with terrorist groups active on the frontline.

Hezbollah fighters are combating alongside the Syrian government forces against a range of terrorist groups operating in the war-torn Arab country, including Daesh and the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front.

On Friday, Hezbollah announced Badreddine's death and held a military funeral for him in southern Beirut.



[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Adnan (C-L) and Hassan Badreddine (C-R), brothers of top Hezbollah commander Mustafa Badreddine, mourn next to his casket during the funeral in the Ghobeiry neighbourhood of southern Beirut, Lebanon, May 13, 2016. ©AFP[/caption]

The 55-year-old Hezbollah commander led Hezbollah's military wing which is helping the Syrian government drive out foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists from Syria.

Badreddine also directed military operations against the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and was a frequent target of attempts by Tel Aviv, Washington and its allies to assassinate or capture him.

He was the cousin and brother-in-law of top Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated by Israel in 2008.

By Press TV