Reyhanlı police detain 16 suspects in operation against armed groups

Turkish authorities conducted a simultaneous police operation in the Reyhanlı district of Hatay against two armed criminal organizations known as the ‘Çapinler’ and ‘Sasunlu’ groups. The operation, coordinated by the Reyhanlı Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and executed by the Hatay Provincial Police Department, resulted in the detention of 16 suspects.

Investigations revealed that the two groups were involved in 30 separate judicial incidents between 2024 and 2026 due to ongoing hostilities. These incidents included attempted murder, intentional injury with firearms, property damage, threats, and violations of firearm laws. Notably, in 2026, 12 out of 13 recorded incidents involved the use of firearms.

Authorities also noted that the groups used social media to threaten the local population and share videos of shootings and weapon displays. The suspects identified in the investigation collectively hold 617 prior criminal records. Of the 25 suspects targeted in the raid, 5 were identified with the ‘Çapinler’ group and 11 with the ‘Sasunlu’ group.