A prominent businessman with close ties to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was killed in a suspected Israeli airstrike west of Damascus on Monday.
Baraa al-Qaterji was killed when the car in which he was traveling was struck near Saboura along the Damascus-Beirut highway, according to local reports. Reuters cited three security sources as confirming Qaterji's death.
Why it matters: The Qaterjis emerged as key players in the Assad regime's business dealings during Syria's war, playing particularly prominent roles in managing oil and gas trade across the country's front lines.
The cross-border oil deals helped facilitate financial ties between rival sides in Syria's now more than 12-year-long conflict.
