Turkish intelligence detains suspect in Reyhanlı terrorist attack — Anadolu Agency
Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has detained Omar al-Khatib, who is suspected of involvement in the 2013 terrorist attack in the city of Reyhanlı in southern Türkiye. According to security sources, the man was detained while preparing to travel to Europe by sea. This was reported by Anadolu Agency.
The Reyhanlı terrorist attack took place in May 2013 and claimed the lives of 53 people. According to Turkish sources, al-Khatib was internationally wanted under an Interpol red notice. Following his detention, he was brought to Türkiye.
The Turkish sources’ version
The sources claim that al-Khatib was involved in planning and organizing the attack and coordinated actions between its perpetrators and intelligence representatives linked to Bashar al-Assad’s regime. According to them, in 2013 he introduced Yusuf Nazik to Kifah Melhem, and the details of the attack were determined during these meetings.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
It is claimed that al-Khatib and Nazik arrived in Türkiye via Hatay in February 2013, identified targets for the attack, and received approval from Melhem, who was in Latakia. Before the attack, al-Khatib allegedly obtained materials for an explosive device together with Temir Dukanji at a military intelligence branch in Latakia.
Detention of other suspects
According to the sources, MIT began searching for those involved immediately after the attack and monitored al-Khatib’s activities in Syria. Yusuf Nazik was detained in 2018, Cengiz Sertel in 2024, and Muhammed Dib Korali and Temir Dukanji in 2025.
The sources also stated that al-Khatib and other individuals whom they describe as the perpetrators of the attack were financially rewarded by Bashar al-Assad’s regime. According to them, Major General Kifah Melhem, described as the person who ordered the attack, headed the National Security Bureau in February 2024 and fled abroad after the fall of the Assad regime.
