Turkey Captures Prime Suspect of 2013 Syrian Border Bombing

Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency (MIT) captured the prime suspect of the 2013 bomb attack, which claimed 53 lives in Turkey’s southeastern town of Reyhanli, bordering Syria, state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) announced.

The suspect identified as 38-year-old Yusuf Nazik was apprehended in the Syrian port city of Latakia, as part of a MIT operation. Nazik was brought to Turkey for a possible prosecution.

AA reported that Nazik admitted his involvement in the bomb attack in his first police interrogation. According to AA, Nazik said he acted on orders from Syrian intelligence units and explored various locations for a potential terror attack.

Nazik reportedly stated that he organized the transfer of the explosives used in the attack from Syria into Turkey, by arranging two vehicles and loading them with the explosives.

He was quoted as saying: “I couldn’t escape the Turkish state, I am remorseful. They captured me in Syria and brought me here. I am calling on my friends in Syria, return home, the Turkish state would look after us. It is our own state. I am addressing the Syrian state, as well. Turkey is a big state and they will definitely make you pay for it.”

Nazik was wanted on a blue notice for his alleged role in the Reyhanli bombing.

The Reyhanli attack took place on May 11, 2013, when a twin blast from car bombs shook Reyhanli, a small town in the Hatay province, 5 kilometers from the Syrian border. 53 people died, while 140 others were injured and several buildings were damaged.