Ali Kayali arrested over alleged links to 2013 massacres

Syrian news agency reported on Thursday that the General Intelligence Service had arrested Ali Kayali, known as Mihrac Ural, as he attempted to cross the border.

According to the agency, Kayali was associated with an armed group that fought alongside the former regime’s forces and was accused of taking part in military operations in several areas, including the 2013 massacres in al-Bayda and Ras al-Nabaa in Banyas.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported, citing its sources, that Mihrac Ural had been arrested inside Lebanese territory, specifically in the Mansourieh area, after returning from Al-Rasoul Al-Azam Hospital. His home was raided, and he was taken away.

According to information obtained by the Observatory, his wife and son-in-law were restrained inside the house during the raid. Sources said those who carried out the operation spoke with a Lebanese accent, but the identity of the force responsible for the raid remains unclear.

Kayali’s arrest comes days after Syrian authorities announced the arrest of his deputy, Jamal Trabulsi, whom they accused of taking part in combat operations in support of the former regime’s forces.