Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has released its 2024 activity report, detailing operations that thwarted plots against non-Muslim citizens and underscoring its expanding role in counterterrorism, intelligence diplomacy, and cybersecurity.
In the report’s introduction, MIT Director Prof. İbrahim Kalın stated that the agency had successfully disrupted planned attacks on non-Muslim communities, linking such threats to the escalating conflicts in the Middle East. While he did not provide specifics, he highlighted MIT’s ongoing efforts against foreign intelligence networks. In recent years, MIT has uncovered Mossad-affiliated networks and foiled Iranian plots targeting Turkey’s Jewish citizens, according to media sources.
Global Instability and Intelligence Diplomacy
Describing 2024 as a year of extreme global uncertainty, Kalın emphasized that international peace and stability were increasingly threatened by multi-dimensional security risks. He pointed to MIT’s active monitoring of key geopolitical crises, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel’s ongoing military actions in the Middle East.
MIT played a pivotal role in diplomatic mediation efforts, including coordinating the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and Western nations since World War II. Kalın described this as a prime example of “trust-based intelligence diplomacy.” He also reiterated Turkey’s commitment to seeking a lasting ceasefire and a two-state solution for Palestine, emphasizing that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains a priority for 2025.
Counterterrorism Operations and National Security
MIT continued its aggressive counterterrorism operations under Turkey’s “terror-free vision,” targeting groups such as the PKK, FETÖ, Daesh, al-Qaida, and DHKP-C. The agency’s precision strikes eliminated key targets, dismantled terrorist infrastructure, and led to the capture of individuals responsible for attacks on Turkish soil.
Kalın highlighted MIT’s expanded operational capabilities, stating that the organization had successfully neutralized threats both within and beyond Turkey’s borders. He credited intelligence-driven strategies for strengthening national security and thwarting espionage attempts.
Cybersecurity and Technological Advancements
MIT has significantly bolstered its capabilities in cybersecurity, cryptology, artificial intelligence, and satellite intelligence. Kalın noted that the agency played a crucial role in defending national institutions against cyberattacks and will further integrate AI to enhance cyber defense mechanisms, reinforcing Turkey’s “cyber homeland.”
Since 2010, MIT has undergone a transformation, shifting from a largely covert organization to one engaged in high-profile intelligence operations. This shift has expanded its role in diplomacy and counterterrorism, making its activities more visible on the international stage.
Kalın concluded that MIT will continue safeguarding Turkey’s strategic interests through intelligence-led diplomacy and technological advancements in 2025.