In a significant development highlighting the ongoing instability in Syria, Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) reached out to the British intelligence service MI6 last month, urging a more active role in safeguarding Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This move comes amid escalating threats and assassination attempts orchestrated by Islamic State (IS) militants targeting Sharaa, a key figure in Syria’s fragile political landscape.
The request underscores the growing concern among foreign allies about Syria’s security situation, which remains volatile even 15 months after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The region continues to be unsettled by the broader geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran, which has further complicated efforts to stabilize Syria. Sharaa is viewed by these international partners as a pivotal leader whose protection is essential to prevent Syria from descending back into sectarian violence or a full-scale civil war.
It is important to remember that Syria has endured over a decade of brutal civil conflict, during which millions of its citizens were displaced as refugees and extremist groups like Islamic State seized control over large territories. Recently, IS militants have intensified their attacks on Syrian military and security forces, openly declaring President Sharaa, a former rebel leader, as their primary adversary. Despite these alarming developments, the exact nature of Turkey’s request to MI6 and the extent of British involvement remain undisclosed.
Last year, Turkey, along with Britain and the United States, threw their support behind Sharaa in an effort to unify and rebuild Syria, a country with a population of approximately 26 million. Notably, London and Washington have relaxed many sanctions previously imposed on Syria and on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist faction once led by Sharaa himself. This shift in policy reflects a strategic recalibration aimed at fostering stability through engagement with key Syrian figures.
Sources close to the matter have highlighted rising anxiety over a series of Islamic State assassination plots targeting Sharaa. Following one particularly dangerous attempt last month, MIT intensified its appeal to MI6 for enhanced support. Syrian security officials have confirmed that Turkish, British, and Syrian intelligence agencies are actively exchanging information to counter these threats, although the specifics of the assassination plot remain confidential.
Additionally, Western intelligence officials suggest that Turkey’s request may also be motivated by a desire to establish a Western intelligence presence in Damascus. This presence could act as a buffer amid tensions between Turkish and Israeli intelligence services, which have reportedly been at odds. Such a development would mark a notable shift in the intelligence dynamics within Syria’s capital.
Islamic State’s attempts to eliminate Sharaa have not been isolated incidents. The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism has documented at least five foiled assassination attempts against Sharaa and two senior cabinet ministers last year alone. Syrian authorities publicly acknowledged thwarting two such attempts in November. IS militants have described Sharaa as a “watchdog” of the global coalition against them and have escalated their attacks on Syrian officials, declaring a “new phase” in their campaign last month.
In a rare admission, the Syrian government recently confirmed its cooperation with Turkey’s MIT, revealing that the two agencies worked together to prevent an IS attack in Damascus. Turkish security sources disclosed that MIT had uncovered a team of three militants preparing remote-controlled bomb attacks, enabling Syrian forces to intercept and neutralize the threat before it could be carried out.
A U.S. diplomat familiar with the situation noted that the surge in Islamic State activity was the primary reason behind MIT’s request for increased British intelligence involvement. While discussions have taken place about intensifying joint operations and planning between MI6 and MIT, no final decision has been made regarding the deployment of British personnel to Syria’s capital. Syrian officials have expressed concerns about the risks associated with a physical British presence, describing it as “highly risky.”
These deliberations reportedly occurred during a meeting in Damascus on February 26, involving a British delegation led by Ann Snow, the UK’s special envoy for Syria, and Syria’s Deputy Interior Minister, Major General Abdulqader Tahan. This meeting reflects ongoing diplomatic and security dialogues aimed at addressing the complex challenges facing Syria.
It is noteworthy that Ahmed al-Sharaa’s background is deeply intertwined with Syria’s turbulent history. He was once a commander within Al Qaeda’s Nusra Front before severing ties with the group in 2016. Later, he led a coalition of Islamist rebel factions in late 2024 that played a role in the eventual overthrow of Assad’s regime. His transformation from a rebel leader to a central political figure underscores the complexities of Syria’s path toward peace and reconstruction.
