Turkey is on a perilous course and could become the next center of international terrorism, replacing Pakistan.  Turkey's intelligence service, the National Intelligence Organization, or 'Milli İstihbarat Teşkilati' (MIT), is reportedly aiding foreign jihadists in syria to increase Ankara's sway over the war-torn nation.

Turkey's jihadist network in Syria
According to Nordic Monitor, MIT has set up a sleeper cell in syria to increase logistical support for the jihadist network there. The cell is intended to stay dormant unless instructed to do so.
 
According to the report, the purpose of this sleeper cell is to accomplish geopolitical and foreign policy goals as well as to intimidate and dissuade Ankara's regional rivals.  Although it is currently unknown how many jihadists have been enlisted in Turkey's alleged terror network, the research found that the agents were arranged in tiny cells and had dependable cover to keep them hidden until Ankara called for them to.


Ankara supporting jihadist groups
Notably, turkey has openly aided jihadist organizations in syria to counter the expanding influence of russia and Iran. It also played a key role in the overthrow of Tehran-backed Bashar al-Assad last year, who was deposed by rebel groups led by the Hayat Tahrir-al Sham, an organization openly backed by Ankara and allegedly associated with the Islamic State and al Qaeda.
 

According to the Nordic Monitor investigation, Turkey's MIT spy agency provides logistical support for the movement of foreign militants from various nations throughout the world to the conflict area.  The most concerning aspect, according to the research, is that these jihadist militants, who have received training in explosives, combat tactics, infiltration, and sabotage, may be able to leave syria and threaten international peace by spreading to other countries.
 

 


 
 


Find out more: