Turkish security forces have uncovered a sophisticated intelligence network run by the United Arab Emirates targeting critical Turkish institutions, according to officials familiar with the investigation.

The operation, conducted under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, revealed that UAE intelligence operatives had been systematically collecting biographical data on personnel holding key positions in Türkiye's defense industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The investigation was carried out through joint field operations by the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and the Counterterrorism Department (TEM), leading to the capture of three suspects directly involved in the intelligence gathering activities.

An arrest warrant has been issued for a fourth suspect who was found to have fled abroad shortly before the operation. Turkish authorities have initiated international procedures through Interpol to secure the fugitive's capture and extradition back to Türkiye.

While the specific identities of the detained suspects remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of the case, security officials confirmed they include both Turkish citizens and foreign nationals who had been operating under the direction of UAE intelligence services.

This security breach comes amid otherwise warming relations between Türkiye and the UAE. In recent years, both nations have taken significant steps to strengthen ties, particularly in the defense sector. Just last July, the two countries signed the "Agreement on Mutual Protection of Classified Information in the Field of Defence Industry" during a visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Ankara.

The bilateral defense agreement, which established common classifications for sensitive information and procedures for handling classified documents, was seen as a cornerstone of growing military cooperation. The pact included provisions for four security levels—top secret, secret, confidential, and restricted—with full mutual recognition between the two nations.

However, this recent incident reveals underlying tensions persist despite public displays of cooperation. The exposure of UAE intelligence activities targeting Turkish defense and diplomatic personnel suggests that intelligence gathering operations may have continued parallel to official cooperation channels.

The compromised data potentially includes detailed personnel information about individuals working in sensitive positions within Türkiye's defense industry, which has seen remarkable growth in recent years. Turkish defense contractors such as Baykar, Aselsan, and TAI have established themselves as key players in international markets, particularly with unmanned aerial systems like the Bayraktar TB2 that have attracted significant interest from Gulf states.

Security analysts suggest that the biographical data collection could enable foreign intelligence services to identify potential vulnerabilities among personnel with access to classified information, potentially compromising both national security and valuable defense technology.

The Turkish Interior Ministry has recently demonstrated increased effectiveness in international security cooperation, with numerous successful extraditions of wanted individuals from multiple countries through coordinated law enforcement operations. This same apparatus is now being deployed to address the security breach revealed by this latest operation.

Regional security experts have noted that this incident reflects the complex nature of Türkiye-UAE relations, which have experienced significant fluctuations over the past decade.

"While we've seen substantial improvement in Türkiye-UAE diplomatic and economic relations since 2021, with the UAE pledging $10 billion in investments toward Turkish industries including defense, intelligence competition appears to remain an ongoing aspect of their relationship," said Gonul Tol, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute.

The UAE's interest in Turkish defense technology has been well-documented, particularly as Abu Dhabi seeks to diversify its defense relationships and build domestic capability through partnerships with Turkish companies. However, this latest revelation suggests that intelligence gathering may have extended beyond conventional channels.

This incident also occurs against the backdrop of increased regional intelligence vulnerabilities. Recent leaks from Iranian intelligence operations revealed similar patterns of cyber espionage targeting government institutions across the Middle East, including police databases in the UAE. These parallel developments highlight the ongoing intelligence competition prevalent throughout the region.

Turkish authorities have indicated that the investigation remains active and ongoing, with digital forensics teams examining electronic devices and communication records obtained from the suspects during the operation.

The security breach has prompted a comprehensive review of personnel security protocols within affected institutions, particularly in the defense industry sector where Türkiye has made significant international gains.

As of now, neither the Turkish nor UAE governments have issued official public statements regarding the incident. Diplomatic channels between the two countries remain open, suggesting that both sides may seek to address the matter discreetly to preserve the broader positive trajectory of their relationship.

The coming weeks will likely see increased security measures at sensitive government installations and defense industry facilities, as well as enhanced counter-intelligence training for personnel in positions handling classified information. (ILKHA)