Israel assassinated top general, leaked US files say

Israel is responsible for the 2008 murder of a top security aide of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to secret US intelligence files.

Brigadier General Mohammed Sleiman was shot in the head and neck on Aug 1, 2008, by a small team of Israeli commandos as he enjoyed a dinner party at his luxury seaside home on the Syrian coast, said The Intercept website, citing the leaked files.

The Israeli military team then escaped by sea.