Syria’s General Intelligence Service has arrested Ali Kayali, also known as Mihrac Ural, state news agency SANA reported on Thursday, October 15.
SANA said he was detained while trying to flee across the border, without identifying the crossing or location.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights gave a different account, saying its sources reported that Kayali was seized during a raid on his home in Mansourieh, Lebanon. The group said the force responsible had not been identified.
SANA described Kayali as the main suspect in the 2013 Baniyas massacre. Anadolu reported that he has been accused of involvement in civilian killings in Baniyas and nearby al-Bayda.
Born in Antakya in Türkiye, Kayali later acquired Syrian citizenship, according to Syria TV. Anadolu described him as a former militia leader loyal to Bashar al-Assad.
His reported arrest follows the October 4 detention of his deputy, Jamal Trabulsi, SANA said.
The Syria Wire has not independently verified the circumstances of Kayali’s arrest or the allegations against him. The reports reviewed included no response from Kayali.
Sources: SANA, SOHR, Anadolu, and Syria TV.
Image: SANA.
