Ankara Rejects Claims of Seeking British Intelligence Aid to Secure Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa

Ankara rejects reports of requesting British MI6 assistance for President al Sharaa's security, citing strong existing cooperation with Syrian authorities.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 4:20 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Yenişafak English AA

The Official Refutation of Foreign Intelligence Involvement

The Turkish government has formally dismissed a media report alleging that the National Intelligence Organization, known as MIT, approached the British Secret Intelligence Service to secure additional protection for Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa. On Friday, the Center for Countering Disinformation, operating under the Turkish Directorate of Communications, released a statement categorically labeling these claims as false. The administration clarified that no such request was ever made to the agency commonly referred to as MI6, despite widespread circulation of the report by a prominent British news outlet.

Bilateral Cooperation on Counterterrorism Initiatives

According to the official statement, Türkiye maintains a robust and functional partnership with the international intelligence community and the security apparatus of the Syrian government. This collaboration is specifically focused on neutralizing regional terrorist threats and stabilizing the security landscape. The Directorate emphasized that MIT continues to work directly with Syrian counterparts to address mutual safety concerns, asserting that this existing framework is sufficient for the current security demands without the mediation of additional Western agencies.

Recent Successes Against Radical Extremist Groups

To illustrate the efficacy of current arrangements, Turkish officials highlighted recent joint tactical operations conducted alongside Syrian security forces. These maneuvers specifically targeted the Daesh terrorist organization, resulting in what the center described as concrete successes in the ongoing fight against extremist cells. The statement underlined that these coordinated efforts demonstrate the strength of the direct relationship between Ankara and Damascus, reinforcing the argument that external protective intervention from London was neither sought nor required for the Syrian presidency.