Türkiye requests expanded British intelligence support to safeguard syrian president against extremist plots

Türkiye seeks MI6 assistance to protect Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa from assassination plots 15 months after the fall of the Assad regime.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 10:46 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from APA

Intelligence Coordination for Damascus

Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) reached out to its British counterpart, MI6, last month to request a more substantial role in the personal security of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. According to five sources familiar with the discussions, the move is a response to multiple assassination plots targeting the Syrian leader and high ranking cabinet members. Foreign allies, including Türkiye, Britain, and the United States, consider Sharaa a central figure in preventing Syria from relapsing into sectarian warfare following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. While the specifics of the requested support remain confidential, the outreach underscores the fragility of the current transitional administration in Damascus.

Threats from Islamic State Militants

The security environment in Syria remains volatile, with Islamic State (ISIL) cells recently declaring President Sharaa their primary adversary. A United Nations report released earlier this year detailed at least five foiled assassination attempts by extremist groups against Sharaa and his senior ministers over the past twelve months. These militants have stepped up attacks on military and security personnel across the country, exploiting the current regional instability. Intelligence analysts suggest that allies are increasingly anxious that a successful strike against the presidency could allow the Islamic State to regain control over territories lost during the 14 year civil conflict.

Regional Escalation and Foreign Support

The request for enhanced British intelligence involvement arrives as the wider Middle East is rattled by the U.S. Israeli war on Iran. This conflict has complicated the internal security of Syria, which remains in a state of reconstruction 15 months after the end of the Assad family’s four decade rule. Despite these external pressures, the United States and Britain have continued to back Sharaa, having previously scrapped most sanctions against his government and his former group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The support from London and Washington is intended to help Sharaa reunite a nation of 26 million people and manage the complex task of rebuilding national institutions.