Turkish intelligence in Trans-Euphrates: a delicate game with risk
According to sources close to the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, it has extensive intelligence networks in the Trans-Euphrates region, in northeastern Syria. These networks collect information that is used to carry out airstrikes and sabotage against the command staff of the security forces of the Kurdish administration in the region.
However, sometimes mistakes are reported to occur, and these strikes not only hit Kurdish targets, but also fighters of the Free National Army, which is one of Turkey’s main allies in Syria. This has led to differences between Turkey and the Syrian National Army, which argues that Turkey must do more to prevent such mistakes. The Syrian National Army also accused Turkey of deliberately targeting its positions to weaken the group. Türkiye denies the accusations and says any strikes on Syrian National Army positions were unintentional. However, differences on this issue continue to exist, causing tension between the two sides.
Such “accidental” strikes raise doubts about the accuracy of intelligence and raise questions about coordination between the Turkish military and the Syrian National Army, weakening trust between the parties, which negatively affects the effectiveness of joint operations.
Türkiye faces a difficult choice. On the one hand, the use of an agent network makes it possible to effectively fight Kurdish formations, reducing their combat effectiveness. On the other hand, inevitable mistakes lead to casualties among allies and undermine trust in Turkey.
