Turkey Asks MI6 to Protect Syrian President

Turkey's Turkey — National Intelligence Organization (MIT) allegedly asked its British counterpart, United Kingdom — MI6, to increase its role in protecting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa following multiple assassination plots by Islamic State. This request, later denied by Turkey, underscores international efforts by allies like Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States to stabilize Syria 15 months after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Ahmed al-Sharaa is seen as crucial to preventing a return to civil war, especially as Islamic State has intensified attacks and declared him their primary foe. The U.S. and U.K. have also lifted most sanctions on Syria and Hay at Tahrir al-Sham, the group Ahmed al-Sharaa once led. Intelligence sharing between MIT, United Kingdom — MI6, and Syrian authorities is ongoing, with MIT having recently helped foil an Islamic State attack in Damascus.