# Syria arrests 'Butcher of Baniyas'

> Syria arrests militia commander accused of 2013 coastal massacres.
- Title: Syria arrests 'Butcher of Baniyas' · euronews | Shortify
- Summary: Syria arrests militia commander accused of 2013 coastal massacres. Syria arrested Ali Kayali, 70, who commanded forces that killed over 450 civilians in 2013…
- Keywords: ali kayali, syria, baniyas, bayda, coastal massacres, militia commander, al-assad, human rights watch, sana, lebanon, news, world
- Source: euronews — https://euronews.com/2026/10/16/syria-arrests-butcher-of-baniyas-accused-of-2013-coastal-massacres
- Author: Wessam Al Jurdi
- Published: 2026-10-16T07:33:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ali kayali, syria, baniyas, bayda, coastal massacres, militia commander, al-assad, human rights watch, sana, lebanon, news, world
## Syria arrests militia commander
Syria's General Intelligence Directorate arrested Ali Kayali, 70, known as Mihrac Ural, who commanded al-Assad-affiliated militia forces in 2013.
## 2013 coastal massacres
Kayali is accused of summary executions of over 450 civilians in Bayda and Baniyas coastal provinces in May 2013.
## Human Rights Watch report
Human Rights Watch documented at least 248 deaths in Bayda and Baniyas in September 2013, with likely higher real numbers.
## Kayali's background
Born in Antakya, Turkey in 1956, Kayali joined terrorist groups in Turkey before fleeing to Syria in 1982.
## Arrest details
Kayali was taken from his home in Lebanon by armed men with Lebanese accents, not at a Syrian border crossing.
## Syria's transitional justice
Syria's Interior Ministry says it is pursuing individuals accused of abuses under the former regime for transitional justice.
## Key takeaway

Syria arrested Ali Kayali, 70, who commanded forces that killed over 450 civilians in 2013 Bayda and Baniyas massacres.