A Sydney extremist has reportedly been killed by the Syrian army while fighting with Islamic State jihadists.

Lebanese-born Ahmed Mohammed Al-Ghazzaw lived in Bankstown before travelling overseas to fight with Islamic State jihadists who now control a large area of Iraq and Syria.

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Syrian news outlet Syria 24 confirmed Al-Ghazzaw’s death in Syria on Boxing Day, describing him as a “terrorist”.

According to News Limited reports, his friends took to social media to call him a “hero” who died in the “land of the pure” upon hearing about his death.

Sydney man and friend Abo Elmineh labelled him a “martyr” saying: “hero Ahmed Mohammed Ali Ghazzawi died in the land of the pure”.

Approximately 70 Australians are fighting overseas with the Islamic State.