Rebel shelling blamed in Hezbollah commander’s death

BEIRUT — The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said Saturday that the explosion in Damascus that killed its top militant commander was caused by insurgent shelling and vowed to continue fighting alongside the Syrian government until the rebels are defeated.

The area on the southern edge of the Syrian capital is known to host positions of several militant groups, including al Qaeda’s branch in Syria, known as the Nusra Front.

A Lebanese politician with close links to the Syrian government told the Associated Press that Badreddine, 55, was killed Thursday night when a shell exploded near him outside a Hezbollah center near the airport.

Hezbollah and the Syrian army have a heavy presence around the airport, which includes a military base, the politician said.

Hezbollah’s statement said Badreddine’s killing will only boost the group’s “will and intention to continue fighting these criminal gangs until they are defeated.”