Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Turkey Detains Suspect Linked to Deadly 2013 Syria Border Attack
Turkey says it captured a man connected to a deadly attack in 2013.
The attack happened in Reyhanli, a Turkish district near Syria.
Two bombs killed 53 people.
The suspect is named Omar al-Khatib, and he is Syrian.
Turkish reports say he helped plan the attack and provided the bomb.
They also say he worked with people loyal to Syria’s former president, Bashar al-Assad.
Syria’s government denied supporting the attack.
Turkish officials say al-Khatib was caught while trying to travel by sea to Europe.
Turkey’s intelligence agency detained Omar al-Khatib, a Syrian suspect linked to the 2013 Reyhanli bombings, state media reported.
The twin bombing killed 53 people in Reyhanli, near Turkey’s Syrian border.
Al-Khatib was reportedly detained while preparing to flee to Europe by sea.
Turkish reports allege he coordinated with officials loyal to Bashar al-Assad and supplied the attack device.
Turkey blamed extremist groups allegedly supported by Syria’s government, while Damascus denied the accusations.
- Who
- Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation detained Omar al-Khatib, a Syrian suspect wanted under an Interpol red notice.
- What
- Al-Khatib was detained over alleged involvement in the 2013 twin bombing in Reyhanli that killed 53 people.
- When
- The attack occurred in 2013; the detention was reported on Thursday, but its exact date was not specified.
- Where
- The bombing occurred in Reyhanli, in southern Turkey near the Syrian border; the detention location was not disclosed.
- Why
- Turkish reports allege that al-Khatib helped coordinate the attack, scout locations, and provide the device used.
Turkish allegations
Syrian denial
Responsibility for the bombing
Turkish allegations
Turkey blamed Turkish extremist groups allegedly backed by the Syrian government and reports linked al-Khatib to the attack.
Syrian denial
Damascus denied the accusations that Syria’s government supported or was responsible for the bombing.
Al-Khatib’s alleged role
Turkish allegations
Turkish media reports said he coordinated between the attackers and officials loyal to Bashar al-Assad, scouted possible locations, and supplied the attack device.
Syrian denial
The available account reports Syria’s denial but does not provide a separate detailed explanation of al-Khatib’s alleged role.
- Suspect
- Omar al-Khatib
- Attack
- Twin bombing in Reyhanli
- Death toll
- 53 people
- Attack year
- 2013
- Detaining agency
- Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation (MIT)
- Reported escape route
- By sea toward Europe
- International alert
- Al-Khatib was the subject of an Interpol red notice