Miraj Ural arrested for 2013 Al-Bayda massacre

Survivors of the 2013 Al-Bayda massacre in the Baniyas region of Syria have expressed relief following the arrest of Miraj Ural, the primary suspect accused of leading the killings. Ural, who reportedly led the ‘Syrian Resistance’ group, was apprehended by the Syrian General Intelligence Service while attempting to cross a border.

Witnesses described the 2013 events as a highly organized attack involving heavy weaponry and tanks, followed by armed groups entering the village. The massacre resulted in the deaths of at least 150 people, the majority of whom were women and children. Survivors recounted seeing bodies being burned and described a second wave of killings during Ramadan that targeted families during their evening meals.

Local residents and survivors are calling on the Syrian government to hold the trial for Ural within Al-Bayda itself to ensure accountability for the atrocities committed against their community.