Hilal al-Assad, a cousin of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been killed along with seven of his fighters during fighting in the border town of Kasab in Latakia province, after shells from opposition forces targeted his vehicle.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group, reported Assad's death. It was confirmed by Syrian state television, which described Hilal as the head of the National Defense Force in the province of Latakia.

Hilal founded the National Defense Army, a group of pro-government civilians fighting alongside the Syrian army.

The Syrian opposition group Jaish al-Islam claimed responsibility for the killing in a statement published on its website.

"The first rocket was fired around 7:15pm, followed by another five minutes later. The rockets targeted a house where Hilal was holding a meeting with other members of the National Defense Army” the statement said.

On Sunday, activists and state media reported clashes near the town of Kasab and said both sides were dispatching reinforcements. Syrian regime officials said the opposition fighters were coming from inside Turkey.

The battle for Kasab broke out on Friday and at least 80 fighters on both sides have been killed.

Latakia province, which includes Assad's family village, is considered a regime stronghold and many of its residents are from his Alawite minority.

PHOTO CAPTION

Hilal al-Assad, the head of Syria’s National Defense paramilitary forces for the northwestern province of Latakia

Al-Jazeera