Newsletters
Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization carried out extensive domestic and international operations throughout 2025 targeting terrorist groups, cybercrime networks, espionage activities and organized crime structures.
According to information compiled by Anadolu Agency, MIT’s operations spanned counterterrorism, cybersecurity, counterintelligence and international intelligence diplomacy, reflecting a wide-ranging security agenda over the year.
In January, MIT killed PKK/KCK members Zeynep Aslan, codenamed “Mitra Mani,” and Zeliha Mahcup, codenamed “Ekin Dilda,” during an operation in Iraq’s Hakurk region.
Senior PKK figures Islam Dotkanlou and Akam Sahe, described as responsible for the group’s Iran structure, were also killed in an operation in Sulaymaniyah.
MIT captured Muhammed Dib Korali in Syria, identifying him as one of the perpetrators of the 2013 Reyhanli bombing in Hatay province that killed 53 people.
Later, on Feb. 25, MIT captured another suspect in the attack, Temir Dukanci, near the Syria-Lebanon border as he was preparing to flee. Dukanci was transferred to Türkiye and handed over to the Hatay police.
In February, PKK/KCK member Murat Keles, codenamed “Berhudan Harun,” was killed in a targeted operation in Hakurk.
Medeni Altundere, a member of the group’s France structure, was captured in Istanbul during a joint operation by MIT and Istanbul police.
Additional PKK/KCK members Zehra Sebat, codenamed “Rojda Azad,” and Serhat Erdogan, codenamed “Cirav Cudi,” were also killed in Iraq.
In Syria, MIT neutralized PKK/YPG member Siraz Omer, codenamed “Sozdar Afrin,” during a targeted operation on the Rumeylan-Malikiye road.
MIT arrested Ozgur Altun, codenamed “Abu Yasir Al Turki,” identified as Daesh's senior Turkish media official within its Khorasan structure and listed in the “orange” category of Türkiye’s wanted list.
Altun was captured in Pakistan during a joint operation with Pakistan’s intelligence agency and deported to Türkiye on June 1.
Another Daesh figure, Mehmet Goren, codenamed “Yahya,” a senior member of Daesh-Khorasan, was captured in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region after intelligence efforts determined his location.
Goren, who had risen to a managerial role within the group and survived airstrikes in Pakistan, was brought to Türkiye on Dec. 22.
MIT also arrested Daesh member Ibrahim Burtakucin in Malatya during a joint operation with Turkish police after determining he was preparing an attack on New Year’s celebrations.
Digital materials and banned publications were seized during the operation.
On Jan. 30, acting on instructions from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, MIT facilitated the release of five Thai hostages held by Hamas in Gaza through intelligence diplomacy.
MIT maintained contact with Hamas and other actors throughout the process, contributing to an agreement reached on Jan. 13, 2025, between Hamas and Israel involving the exchange of hostages, detainees and prisoners.
MIT said it played a facilitative role while continuing contacts aimed at securing a ceasefire.
MIT coordinated multiple cybercrime operations during the year.
In one operation, a network using fake base stations to send fraudulent SMS messages was dismantled, leading to the arrest of seven foreign nationals caught in rented vehicles during a joint operation with security forces.
In coordination with the Gendarmerie General Command, the National Cyber Incident Response Center (USOM) and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), MIT targeted illegal query systems accessing citizens’ personal data.
Operations in Istanbul, Sanliurfa, Izmir and Kutahya resulted in arrests and the shutdown of multiple websites.
MIT also uncovered software marketed to lawyers under names such as “Avatar” or “Adalet,” which allowed unlawful access to personal data.
Five suspects, including developers and administrators, were arrested in operations in Istanbul and Izmir.
In Istanbul, Serkan Cicek was detained in a joint operation by MIT, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and police after it was determined he was working for Israel’s intelligence service (Mossad).
Lawyer Tugrulhan Dip was also detained for allegedly providing information to Mossad-linked operatives.
Investigators said Dip worked with multiple individuals involved in espionage activities. Another suspect, Osman Celik, was detained for allegedly aiding Dip.
Further cyber espionage operations were conducted in Istanbul and Adana in November, leading to the detention of additional suspects and the seizure of digital materials linked to illegal cyber activities.
MIT disrupted attempts by members of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) to flee abroad, capturing seven individuals whose convictions had been upheld by Türkiye’s top court in operations across six provinces.
In July, MIT carried out an operation targeting FETO’s financial structure, focusing on the owners and affiliates of the HAKMAR and TATBAK supermarket chains.
Trustees were appointed to the companies after suspects were detained on charges related to financing the organization.
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
