Syrian authorities have detained Ali Kayali, also known as Mihraç Ural, a paramilitary leader whose forces supported the regime of Bashar al-Assad during the country’s ongoing conflict. Kayali was apprehended while attempting to cross the border, according to the state news agency SANA, which did not disclose the specific destination he was fleeing to.

Kayali is accused of playing a central role in a series of massacres in 2013 in the coastal province of Tartus, specifically in the towns of Bayda and Banias. Reports indicate that at least 248 civilians were executed in these incidents by government and allied paramilitary forces. Human Rights Watch characterized the killings as among the deadliest mass executions of the Syrian war, which began in 2011.

The Syrian conflict originated in widespread protests demanding political reforms but evolved into a multifaceted and sectarian civil war involving numerous domestic and international actors, including paramilitary groups and jihadist factions. The Banias and Bayda massacres are frequently cited as marking a significant turning point toward sectarian violence within the broader conflict.

Kayali’s arrest underscores ongoing efforts by the Syrian government to address elements of the war that have drawn condemnation for widespread human rights abuses. However, independent verification and further details on his detention remain limited.