Arrest of Meraj Oral, Suspect in Banias Massacre, During Border Escape Attempt

The Syrian General Intelligence apparatus arrested Ali Kayyali, known as "Meraj Oral," who is the main suspect in committing the 2013 Banias massacre.

According to SANA agency citing Syrian General Intelligence, the operation took place during Kayyali's attempt to escape across the border.

This comes about 10 days after the Syrian Counter-Terrorism Directorate arrested Jamal Tarabulsi, Ali Kayyali's deputy.

Earlier this year, the Syrian News Channel reported that Kayyali arrived in Al-Thawra city with a group of remnants of the former regime to join the SDF organization in fighting against the Syrian Arab Army.

The village of Al-Bayda in Banias was subjected to a large-scale military operation in 2013, resulting in the killing of 264 civilians, including women and children, under conditions described as extremely harsh, according to what SANA agency reported citing human rights reports and survivor testimonies.

Those reports indicate that house raids and extrajudicial killings occurred, in addition to significant damage to property.