An Islamist Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra fighter talks on a walkie-talkie while carrying his weapon on Al-Khazan frontline of Khan Sheikhoun
IN PHOTO: An Islamist Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra fighter talks on a walkie-talkie while carrying his weapon on Al-Khazan frontline of Khan Sheikhoun, northern Idlib province May 17, 2014. REUTERS/Hamid Khatib

The United States is reportedly targeting an Australian citizen who is a high-ranking Al-Qaeda militant in Syria. The U.S. military has placed the Australian ISIS fighter on the kill list.

The Australian reports that Mostafa Farag, who is also known as Abu Sulayman al Muhajir, was placed on the kill list because of his ties with Jabhat al Nusra. The group is also associated with Al-Qaeda in the Syrian conflict.

Farag had left his home in Australia for Syria in 2012. Since then, the 30-year-old rose to power in the ranks of Jabhat al Nusra and became a member of the extremist group’s sharia council.

Previous reports have indicated that Australia and the U.S. consider Jabhat al Nusra as a terrorist organisation. Intelligence officials in Australia consider Farag as the “most senior” Australian extremist in Syria due to his affiliation with Al-Qaeda. The Australian government was informed that Farag has been placed in the target list of the U.S. sometime between 2012 and 2013.

Australia was advised soon after Prime Minister Tony Abbott was elected into office. Farag’s mother spoke to The Australian and confirmed that her son is a member of Jabhat al Nusra. “I have to believe it because (it was) his voice that said that,” said Hamida Farag.

Farag, a former preacher in Sydney, spoke to SBS earlier in the year and revealed that his forces have a rivalry with ISIS, once their former allies. The Australian extremist had mediated between the two groups in an effort to reconcile their differences. However, Farag took the side of Jabhat al-Nusra in the end.

“All Islamic movements around the world want an Islamic State,” said Farag. He believes ISIS has declared itself as the “exclusive bearers of Islam.”

Meanwhile, a senior U.S. official in the Obama administration said Washington has not set a timeframe on a possible invasion of Mosul in Iraq. The unnamed administration official said the Iraqi government forces and their allies have made progress in the fight against ISIS, reports CNN. No U.S. troops will be involved in ground combat but airstrikes will continue in the area.

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