Syrian General Intelligence Directorate personnel arrested Ali Kayali on 15 October during an attempted border infiltration. Security forces apprehended the individual while he was moving toward the frontier, according to reports confirmed by local authorities. Ali Kayali remains in custody following the operation conducted by the intelligence agency. The General Intelligence Directorate successfully detained Ali Kayali as he was in the process of attempting to cross the border.
Background of the Accused
Ali Kayali served as a founding member of the Turkish left-wing organization Acilciler during the 1970s. This group operated within Turkey before he eventually relocated to Syria. His transition from Turkey to Syria marked a shift in his operational theater and political focus.
Following his flight to Syria, he established a militia known as the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Sanjak of Alexandretta. He maintained leadership of this paramilitary unit as it operated in the region. These organizational activities defined his early political and military engagement before his recent arrest by the General Intelligence Directorate. The creation of the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Sanjak of Alexandretta allowed Ali Kayali to command a dedicated force within the territory.
Involvement in Major Massacres
Allegations link Ali Kayali to the 2013 massacre in Al-Bayda, Baniyas, where he is accused of serving as the principal perpetrator. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) documented the deaths of 459 civilians during this event, including 92 children and 71 women. On 10 May 2013, the SNHR released a formal report identifying Ali Kayali as a principal commander responsible for the operations in Al-Bayda. This specific report by the SNHR noted his role in the violence that resulted in the loss of 459 civilian lives.
Beyond these events, the militia led by Ali Kayali faced accusations of involvement in the May 2012 Houla massacre, which occurred in the Homs countryside. The militia, under his leadership, was implicated in the incidents that took place in the Homs countryside during that period.
Fadel Abdul Ghany, Director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), stated: "The arrest of Ali Kayali represents an essential step toward accountability for the May 2013 massacres in Al-Bayda and Ras al-Nabaa, offering a measure of justice to the families of the victims." He further noted: "The arrest restores hope for justice more than thirteen years after the crimes were committed." Fadel Abdul Ghany emphasized that the detention of Ali Kayali is significant for the families affected by the events in Al-Bayda and Ras al-Nabaa. The SNHR continues to monitor the legal implications of the arrest of Ali Kayali by the General Intelligence Directorate.