Turkey is on a high level of alert after the revelation by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), in cooperation with the Counterterrorism Department (TEM) of the Turkish National Police, of an extensive espionage operation that resembles the methods of Mossad against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The operation, which took place on the morning of 25 November 2025 in Istanbul, targeted four individuals who are alleged to be connected to the intelligence service of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As became known, the suspects were using fake profiles and telephone lines obtained from a Turkish mobile phone company in order to collect sensitive data of personal staff and senior Turkish officials working in critical government institutions such as the defense industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the official announcement of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, three of the four suspects of UAE origin were arrested, while for the fourth, who is abroad, an arrest warrant was issued.
However, a little later, through direct state intervention, the Istanbul Prosecutor General’s Office modified the initial announcement, removing every reference to the involvement of the UAE, a fact that caused the Turkish media to backtrack.
As is understood, Ankara is attempting to cover up the issue, while trying to determine to what extent Mossad has managed to penetrate critical data of senior state officials and high-ranking personnel of the Turkish Defense Industry, a possibility that, if confirmed, would constitute a shock-level blow to the country’s national security.
In any case, according to the Turkish media, the investigation continues at an intensive pace, while evidence has already been seized revealing the strategy of foreign intelligence services in Turkey, unfortunately for the Turks very late.
The Turkish authorities described the actions of the UAE as “military and political espionage”, stressing that the activities targeted crucial sectors of the country.
The timing of the operation indicates the tensions in Turkey–UAE relations despite recent economic cooperation.
It is worth noting that the relations between the UAE’s intelligence services and Mossad are EXCELLENT.
And understandably, this development has triggered alarm since it reminds that Mossad’s access to the personal records of Hezbollah staff and senior state officials of Iran had led a few months ago to their neutralization.
Methods
It is noteworthy that the methods used, fake profiles, local collaborators, and mimicked communications, resemble previous operations that targeted Mossad or organizations such as Hezbollah.
As a side note, this is how Israel managed to blow off the hands of 3,000 Hezbollah fighters, and to deliver critical strikes killing senior cadres of the Shiite organization.
According to expert analysts, Turkey now appears to be facing a network of foreign influence that operates with almost military precision, threatening sensitive areas of national security.
On social media, the news caused a wave of concern and intense comments.
On the platform X, users refer to the UAE as “the actor that emerges from under every stone”, while others reference the earlier statement of President Erdogan that “the Arabs did not betray us”.
This affair opens a new chapter in espionage operations in Turkey.
And despite the clear message to every foreign intelligence service that MIT and TEM will not tolerate any threat that may harm the national security of the country, the Turkish security system is apparently porous.
As it seems, the possibility of a hard strike on Turkey now appears more likely than ever.
After all, many things remind us of the fate of Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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