Authorities apprehend suspects linked to 2013 Reyhanlı bombings

Security forces have apprehended several individuals linked to the 2013 Reyhanlı bombings in Hatay, Turkey, which resulted in the deaths of 53 people.

In a coordinated operation involving the Hatay Provincial Gendarmerie Command and the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), 59-year-old Bülent Dükkancı, identified as a member of the THKP-C, was detained at a residence in the Gülderen neighborhood of Antakya. Authorities seized two mobile phones, an unlicensed pistol, a magazine, and seven cartridges during the search.

MİT also captured Ömer el-Hatip, a Syrian perpetrator of the attacks, while he was attempting to flee to Europe by sea. El-Hatip, who was wanted under a red notice, is accused of coordinating between the attackers and intelligence personnel loyal to the Bashar al-Assad regime. He reportedly participated in the planning and reconnaissance of the attack in February 2013.

Additionally, the Syrian Ministry of Interior announced the capture of Cemal Trablusi, an associate of the militant Mihraç Ural. Trablusi previously served as the Aleppo representative for the Mukaveme Suriyye group. Ural is among the defendants in the legal proceedings regarding the Reyhanlı bombings.