Author: Abdurrahman Şimşek
Affiliation: N/M
Organization/Publisher: Daily Sabah
Date/Place: October 21, 2021 / Istanbul
Type of Literature: Report
Word Count (3 articles): 2000+
Link 1: https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/turkeys-mit-brings-down-15-member-mossad-spy-network/news
Link 2: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-arrests-15-for-links-to-israeli-spy-agency/2398660
Link 3: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-arrests-palestinians-arabs-spying-for-israel-mossad
Keywords: Turkey, Israel, Spy network, Mossad, Profiling, Palestine, Syria
Brief:
As Turkey has opened its hearts and gates for oppressed people from occupied and terrorized regions and countries, it has also become a target of intelligence agencies of some of the most notorious nations. The wounds inflicted by Saudi agents in 2019 are still fresh, when they flew to Istanbul to murder and dismember Jamal Khashoggi, the dissident journalist who triggered widespread criticism of the kingdom. Fast forward to 2021, Turkey has exposed two spy networks operating inside its borders: one an Iranian cell which was caught red-handed inside Turkish territories while smuggling a former soldier back to Tehran in October. Just days after, a big exposé came: 15 spies tied to the world’s notorious spy agency – Mossad, have been arrested. 200 members of Turkey’s intelligence agency (MIT) had been working for an entire year to bust the gang of Israeli agents. This report details the nature and description of their work and how money was transferred to them to carry out their nefarious activities. Their main goal appears to have been the profiling of Palestinians and other foreign students, and especially those leaning towards learning subjects with potential use in the defense industry. From using encrypted messaging apps to traveling abroad to meet with agents, the network was provided with almost all support—including money—from Mossad. “The members of the espionage network were instructed to gather information on Palestinians attending Turkish universities and to find out what opportunities they are provided by the government and municipalities… The network also looked into various associations and organizations operating in Turkey and shared the findings with the Israeli secret service,” the report added.
By: Riyaz ul Khaliq, CIGA Non-resident Research Associate
