More than 28 people, most of them leaders and commanders of rebel group Ahrar al-Sham, were killed in an explosion during a meeting near Idlib, Syria on Tuesday.

The cause of the explosion and the one reponsible for it have not yet been confirmed. However, Edlib News Network reported that a suicide bomber allegedly discharged his explosives belt in the said meeting.

Like Us on Facebook

Hasaan Aboud, the leader of the group, was among those who were killed. The commanders and the leader held their meeting at the northwestern town in Ram Hamdan, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Ahrar al-Sham is one of the largest armed groups in Syria opposing and fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants. The group is also an ultraconservative rebel group who actively participates in efforts to oust President Bashar al- Assad.

The attack was said to weaken the already shaky force of Syria. Ahrar al-Sham is also known as the most prominent member of the famous rebel coalition known as Islamic Front.

According to reports, the Islamic Front has been struggling for months now because the donor funding has already diminished and that the group is already close to crumbling.

Ahrar al-Sham blamed ISIS for the death one of their leaders, Abu Khaled al-Souri, back in February this year. The latest attack, which left most of their leaders dead, might again cause the group to blame the ISIS militants.

A United Nations representative suggested that the ISIS militants use children as suicide bombers. Boys as young as 13 years old are tasked to carry weapons, serve as a lookout in strategic locations, and even arrest civilians, the representative added.

Over 700 children have already been killed or hurt since January this year.

Meanwhile, more countries are helping in efforts to counter ISIS as United States President Barack Obama announced that they have tagged allies in preparation for planned attacks.

Saudi Arabia hosted an urgent meeting regarding the dismantling of the ISIS militant group and implied that they will be working hand in hand with the United States.

France's President Francois Hollande will also fly to Iraq on September 15 to discuss the country's security crisis.

Obama reportedly wanted to plan attacks on Iraq alone but the British coalition raised the possibility of attacking Syria as well. The Britons noted that the attack on Syria may weaken al-Assad's administration. 

TagsISIS militants, suicide bombing, leaders, Ahrar al-Sham, Rebels, Meeting, idlib