Turkey’s intelligence service, Milli İstihbarat Teşkilatı (MİT), has taken a bold step in securing its influence over Syria.
The Turkish intelligence service, having successfully positioned a long-time asset as Syria’s interim president, has reportedly developed covert contingency plans to establish ‘clandestine cells’.
These units will consist of carefully vetted foreign jihadists who have operated in Syria for years with the support of Turkish logistical networks.
According to a Nordic Monitor report, these covert cells are designed to remain dormant until activated by the Turkish government.
Their purpose? To intimidate adversaries, manipulate geopolitical negotiations, and serve as an unconventional extension of Turkey’s foreign policy objectives.
While the exact number of recruits remains unknown, sources indicate that the operatives are organized into small, compartmentalized cells, each provided with plausible cover identities to remain inconspicuous. These cells will remain dormant until the Erdoğan government decides to activate them as leverage in diplomatic negotiations.
Nordic Monitor, a Sweden-based platform run by Turkish journalist Abdullah Bozkurt, is known for its critical reporting on Turkey’s ruling establishment, particularly President Erdoğan’s policies.
Jihadist Networks: A Global Threat
For years, the presence of foreign fighters within jihadist factions in Syria has been a ticking time bomb for global security.
Many of these militants—hailing from countries across the world—traveled to the war zone, often through Turkish territory, with logistical support from Turkey’s intelligence agency, the Milli İstihbarat Teşkilatı (MIT), according to Nordic Monitor.
What worries governments most is not just their involvement in the Syrian conflict, but the prospect of their return. Trained in combat tactics, explosives, infiltration, and sabotage, these battle-hardened extremists pose a significant threat to international stability. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies worldwide remain on high alert, fearing potential terrorist attacks, social unrest, or threats to national security.
A Revealing Admission?
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan inadvertently confirmed the extent of Turkey’s role in cultivating these networks on January 25.
In an interview with Asharq News, Fidan stated, “In Syria, there are groups close to Turkey with more than 80,000 armed elements. Without any hesitation, we told them to join the national army, become part of the national army.”
Though the exact number of foreign fighters within this pool remains unclear, estimates suggest as many as 10,000 militants with ties to jihadist factions.
Nordic Monitor reports that this vast recruitment pool provides MİT with an ample supply of operatives, handpicked for precision-targeted attacks abroad whenever Ankara sees fit.
MİT: Turkey’s Shadow Power in Foreign Policy
Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, MİT has transformed from a domestic security agency into a formidable force shaping Turkey’s foreign policy. No longer confined to intelligence gathering, it has orchestrated assassinations, insurgencies, and proxy conflicts, extending Ankara’s influence far beyond its borders.
Syria: The Centerpiece of Turkey’s Regional Strategy
With a 900-kilometer border shared with Syria, Turkey views the ongoing conflict not just as a foreign policy issue but as a domestic one. Turkey’s deep involvement has reshaped the war and, in turn, altered Turkey’s internal political landscape.
Ethnic, sectarian, and ideological divisions that exist in Syria are mirrored in Turkey, making the conflict deeply intertwined with domestic political struggles. Hosting 3.6 million Syrian refugees has fueled the rise of far-right and xenophobic parties, reshaping nationalist politics within Turkey.
MİT’s operations in northern Syria have been relentless. In 2023, it executed targeted assassinations against Kurdish military leaders and activists, using drones and covert operatives.
A particularly audacious attack in April 2023 nearly assassinated Mazlum Kobane, the commander of the Kurdish YPG/SDF, a key U.S. ally.
The attack, which took place near a US military base in Northern Syria, put American troops at risk, triggering sharp criticism from Washington. Yet, the backlash did little to deter MİT’s activities.
By late 2023, Turkish intelligence was reportedly fueling Arab tribal uprisings in Deir ez-Zor, further destabilizing the region and intensifying conflicts between ethnic factions.
The Fall of Assad: A Strategic Victory for Ankara?
Turkey’s long-standing opposition to the Assad regime reached a turning point on December 8, 2024.
A coordinated offensive led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, supported by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, resulted in the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
For Erdoğan, this moment signified the culmination of years of strategic maneuvering in Syria.
While the post-Assad landscape remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Turkey’s intelligence and military apparatus have played a decisive role in reshaping the country’s future.
MİT’s success in destabilizing and ultimately toppling Assad marks a significant geopolitical win for Ankara, though the long-term ramifications remain unpredictable.
Turkey’s Military Might
Beyond its intelligence operations, Turkey has cemented itself as a military powerhouse. With the second-largest standing army in NATO, Turkey ranks as the eighth most powerful military globally, according to Global Firepower. It’s 400,000+ active personnel form the backbone of a formidable force that dominates the Middle East.
Turkey’s growing defense industry extends its influence beyond its borders. The nation has become a leading arms supplier, exporting cutting-edge military technology to allies and conflict zones alike. From Ukraine to Somalia, Turkish weapons and troops have played key roles in shaping modern warfare.
A Rising Power With Unchecked Ambitions
Turkey’s intelligence operations, military expansion, and covert jihadist networks highlight its growing influence on the global stage.
Whether through clandestine cells, proxy wars, or direct military intervention, Ankara has demonstrated its willingness to use any means necessary to achieve its strategic goals.
As MİT’s role expands, the world must grapple with the implications of Turkey’s increasingly assertive—and often opaque—foreign policy.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for ET Prime. She has over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com
