The arrest follows the capture of Kayali's deputy, Jamal Traboulsi, earlier this month as Syria’s new authorities target former regime militia members for war crimes. Kayali was also wanted by Türkiye for the 2013 Reyhanlı bombings that killed about 52 people.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Syria Arrests Ali Kayali for Massacres of 458 in Regime Militia Push
Geopolitics6 days ago
Syrian General Intelligence arrested Ali Kayali, also known as Mihrac Ural, while he attempted to flee across the border. Kayali, a Turkish-born leader of the pro-Assad militia Syrian Resistance, is the primary suspect in the May 2013 Baniyas and al-Bayda massacres on the Syrian coast. He is accused of overseeing the execution of at least 458 civilians, including about 92 children.
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