Newsletters
Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) asked Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly known as MI6, last month to take a larger role in protecting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa after recent assassination plots by terrorist organization Daesh, according to five people familiar with the matter.
The request came after a "high-risk assassination plot" against Sharaa, a senior Syrian security source who spoke to Reuters said, adding that MIT, MI6 and Syrian authorities were constantly sharing intelligence, but the details of the plot were unclear.
A Turkish source said MIT, which has played a key role in helping Syria's new government establish itself, appealed to MI6 for more support after the incident last month.
A U.S. diplomat briefed on the matter said MIT's request had been prompted by the Daesh resurgence.
Syria's Sharaa and two senior cabinet ministers were targeted by Daesh in five foiled assassination attempts last year, according to the U.N. Office of Counter-Terrorism.
The terrorist group mounted six attacks on Syrian authorities last month in what it called a "new phase," declaring Sharaa, a former commander, their "number one foe."
It was unclear what specifically MIT asked of MI6 or what new role, if any, the British intelligence agency had taken up.
A separate Western intelligence source briefed on the matter believed Türkiye wanted to introduce a Western presence in Damascus to provide a buffer between the agencies of Türkiye and Israel, which are currently at loggerheads.
1 min read
A cell of the Daesh terrorist group preparing to carry out sabotage attacks in Syria’s capital Damascus, was dismantled and three terrorists were captured following leads by Türkiye’s MIT on March 5, sources said.
Simultaneously, bomb disposal teams retrieved explosives from a vehicle left at a critical location. A large amount of C4 and TNT, capable of causing major destruction, was found.
The three detainees were referred to the Syrian General Intelligence Service’s Counterterrorism Directorate for questioning to uncover those who supported the cell and its possible extensions.
According to Turkish security sources, MIT shared the intelligence it obtained with the Syrian Internal Security Service Command, and General Intelligence Service. Damascus also openly acknowledged for the first time that it coordinates with MIT, saying they had cooperated to foil a Daesh attack in the capital.
A Syrian security source who spoke to Reuters stated that MI6 had been discussed at a meeting in Damascus on Feb. 26 between a delegation headed by Britain's special envoy for Syria, Ann Snow, and Syria's deputy interior minister Maj. Gen. Abdulqader Tahan.
The Western intelligence source said the two agencies could intensify joint planning and technical operations but that no decision had been made on whether to send British personnel to Damascus.
A Syrian security source said a physical British presence would be "highly risky."
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
