West sends spies to Syria to counter jihadist threat
There's a 'schism' between those in West who want Assad gone and those who fear what replaces him
WESTERN intelligence officers have visited Damascus to discuss the most effective ways to tackle radical Islamist groups, Syria's deputy foreign minister has told the BBC.
The revelation that Western governments are consulting with the government of President Bashar al-Assad – the man they hold responsible for Syria's bloody civil war – suggests two things. Firstly, the high level of concern in the West at the spread of militant Islam in Syria and secondly the existence of a "schism" between Western politicians who continue to call for Assad to step down and security officials who fear he will be replaced by jihadist groups, the BBC says.
Faisal Mekdad, the Syrian deputy foreign minister, says that members of several Western intelligence agencies – including Britain's – recently visited the Syrian capital. "I will not specify but many of them have visited Damascus, yes," he says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He also claims that an increasing number of countries are requesting that their diplomats return to Damascus. While some Western nations are waiting for the outcome of peace talks in Geneva next week before reassessing their engagement with Syria, others are asking to "co-operate on security measures", Mekdad claims.
The British Foreign Office told the BBC it does not comment on intelligence matters.
The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet says it is still not clear "how far the West is prepared to make common cause with a regime it still holds responsible for this brutal war".
While Western politicians continue to insist Assad will eventually step down, it seems increasingly clear that the risk of power falling into the hands of jihadists is giving security agencies the jitters.
It is hard to confirm the extent of the contact between Damascus and the West, says Doucet. But "informed sources" say there have been meetings between Western and Syrian intelligence officials including security chief General Ali Mamluk.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Duchess of Gloucester: the hard-working royal you've never heard of
Under The Radar Outer royal 'never expected' to do duties but has stepped up to the plate
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Climate change is driving Indian women to choose sterilization
under the radar Faced with losing their jobs, they are making a life-altering decision
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published