BEIRUT, May 24 (Reuters) - Senior Islamic State militants including the group's "minister of war" have been killed in Syrian army operations to the east of Aleppo, Syrian state media cited a military source as saying on Wednesday.

The "minister of war" was identified as Abu Musab al-Masri. The military source said he was among a number of senior Islamic State militants killed in the army operations, who included Saudis and Iraqis.

(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Catherine Evans) ((thomas.perry@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: thomas.perry.reuters.com@reuters.net))