Turkey’s intel agency MİT to spearhead operation in Iraq’s Sinjar

Turkey’s National Intelligence Service (MİT) is expected to take the lead in the Turkish-led operation in northern Iraq’s Sinjar region, following extensive preparations that had been carried out by the intelligence body, which assumed a similar role in Turkey’s Afrin operation.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear terrorist groups from Afrin, northwestern Syria amid growing threats from the region.

Specialists emphasized the important role played by MİT throughout all stages of the Afrin operation, recalling the critical efforts it carried out in unmasking terrorists’ munitions depots, where tons of weapons and explosives were stored in tunnels, and routing terrorists from residential areas.

Security sources stated that MİT had provided very serious support to military operations through its intelligence collecting, risk reduction and other similar activities.

The same sources underscored the importance of the MİT’s cooperation efforts with a large number of local groups in the region, including northern Iraq’s tribes.

“Now the Sinjar operation is on the agenda. Not only is intel being shared with Turkish intelligence by the Baghdad administration, but also by local forces in Duhok, Erbil and Suleimaniyeh,” said security sources.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday said an Iraqi official was to arrive in Turkey the same day to discuss the terrorist activities in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province of Sinjar district. The official was due to meet with Hakan Fidan, the head of MİT.

In his assessment of the situation, strategist Ömür Çelikdönmez recalled Erdoğan’s “We will enter Sinjar one night, suddenly” comment, noting that it was loaded with subtext as the Turkish president is closely following and running the Sinjar process.

“MİT is carrying out a thorough effort. The Sinjar campaign will be conducted with Iraq’s Central Government and local militias who have previously received training. Our country’s hand in Sinjar is extremely strong.”

Çelikdönmez pointed that Turkey is cooperating in Iraq with the Nineveh Guards, a force similar to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Syria.

“Turkey supported the group’s training in the Bashiqa Camp. The 10,000-strong force is made up of Yezidi Kurds, Turkmens, Kurds and Sunni Arabs. MİT created the theoretic infrastructure for the group prior to the Sinjar operation, as it tries to ensure the success of the operation with all its might.