Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has apprehended Temir Dükancı, a key figure behind the deadly 2013 Reyhanlı terrorist attack that killed 53 people, as he attempted to escape from Syria to Lebanon.

The successful cross-border operation marks another step in MIT’s relentless pursuit of justice for the victims of one of Türkiye’s deadliest bombings.

Dükancı, listed in the “orange category” of wanted terrorists, was tracked by MIT after intelligence revealed his plans to flee Syria amid recent regional instability. Authorities confirmed that he played a critical role in the Reyhanlı attack, orchestrating the smuggling of explosives into Türkiye via sea routes and securing vehicles to transport them. The bombing, which rocked the border town of Reyhanlı in Hatay province on May 11, 2013, left a scar on the nation that MIT has vowed not to let fade.

The operation unfolded at the Syria-Lebanon border, where Dükancı was captured while seeking a fake passport to facilitate his escape. Investigations uncovered that he intended to regroup his terrorist network in Lebanon and launch attacks on Turkish diplomatic missions abroad, posing a fresh threat to national security. MIT’s precise intelligence pinpointed his location, enabling the swift and decisive action that brought him into custody.

Following his capture, Dükancı was transported back to Türkiye and handed over to the Hatay Provincial Police Department for further investigation and legal proceedings. Officials also noted his ties to Syrian intelligence, underscoring the complex web of connections that fueled the Reyhanlı atrocity.

This operation builds on MIT’s prior successes in targeting perpetrators of the 2013 attack. In 2018, the agency captured Yusuf Nazik in Syria, followed by Muhammed Dib Koralı in January 2025—both of whom were extradited to Türkiye to face justice. With Dükancı now in custody, MIT continues to dismantle the network responsible for the tragedy, ensuring accountability for the 53 lives lost.

Turkish authorities hailed the operation as a testament to the country’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism, both at home and abroad. Further details on Dükancı’s interrogation and potential additional arrests are expected as the investigation progresses. (ILKHA)