Syria: Militia commander who carried out massacre arrested by the regime

The government of Ahmad al-Shara in Syria announced the arrest of Ali Kayali, a senior official in the deposed Assad regime, who attempted to flee across the border. Kayali led a militia known as "the Syrian Resistance" that took part in the massacre in the city of Baniyas in 2013, in which about 258 civilians were killed. His deputy, Jamal Trabelsi, was captured earlier this month.

The government of Ahmad al-Shara in Syria announced the arrest of Ali Kayali, a senior official in the deposed regime of Bashar al-Assad. Kayali was arrested while trying to cross the border and flee the country. He headed a militia called "the Syrian Resistance," which fought alongside army forces during the civil war. Kayali is the main accused in carrying out the massacre in the city of Baniyas in 2013. The massacre took place between May 2 and 3, 2013, when Assad regime forces, including Kayali's militia, carried out mass killings in the city and the nearby village of al-Bayda. Human rights organizations reported the execution of at least 248 people, and estimated the number of victims to be higher. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Interior captured Jamal Trabelsi, Kayali's deputy in the militia.