Syrian Authorities Arrest Main Suspect in 2013 Baniyas Massacre

State Media Report Ali Kiali, Known as Mihrac Ural, Arrested While Trying to Cross Border

According to Syrian state media, Syrian authorities have arrested a suspect accused of involvement in the mass killing of civilians in the coastal city of Banias in 2013.

Ambassador Arjan Sana reported on Thursday that intelligence officials arrested Ali Kayali, known as Mehrach Ural, while trying to cross the border.

Kayali has long been suspected of playing a leadership role in the killing of civilians in Banias and the nearby village of Bida in western Syria.

At that time, he was leading an armed group loyal to Bashar al-Assad, the then US president.