U.S. citizen carries out suicide bombing in Syria

WASHINGTON -- An American citizen linked to al Qaeda terrorists has carried out a suicide bombing in Syria, CBS News has learned.

The picture on radical Islamic websites shows a smiling bearded man holding a cat, but U.S. officials believe the man, who called himself Abu Hurayra al-Amriki is the first American suicide bomber to die fighting for al Qaeda in Syria.

Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra recently released a photo showing four jihadis. The fighter on the right, wearing a suicide vest, appears to be Abu Hurayra.

The terror group claims he was killed Sunday in an attack in northern Syria. An al Qaeda video released Monday shows a truck being loaded with bombs and a subsequent explosion at a government complex.

Al Qaeda had promised an attack from an American. Just last week, an English-speaking man with his face blurred called on his brothers to defend Islam.

U.S. officials say they have identified Abu Hurayra's real name; it has not been released. But he was not alone. The FBI says several dozen Americans have gone to Syria to join the fighting.