Assassination attempt on President Al-Shar: Turkish intelligence turns to Britain for protection

Assassination attempt on President Al-Shar: Turkey seeks support from UK’s MI6

Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the Turkish intelligence agency requested assistance from its British counterpart (MI6) to protect Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shar following recent assassination attempts against him.

Five informed sources said the request was made last month to strengthen security measures surrounding Al-Shar.

Repeated assassination attempts

The report indicated that President Al-Shar and the ministers of interior and foreign affairs were targeted in five assassination attempts over the past year, according to a report issued last month by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The attacks were concentrated in northern Aleppo and southern Daraa.

ISIS and affiliated groups

According to the report, the attacks were carried out by a group known as “Saraya Ansar Al-Sunnah,” believed to be a front for the terrorist organization ISIS. The report stated that the assassination attempts reflect the organization’s continued targeting of the new Syrian government and its exploitation of security gaps in the country.

International context and allied support

Reuters reported that the Turkish request highlights international allies’ efforts to support Syria amid rising regional tensions due to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, and following Al-Shar’s government joining the international coalition against ISIS, which had previously controlled large parts of Syria.

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