Turkish intelligence nabs Al-Qaeda operative Ahmet Baykara in Africa

Turkish intelligence, in an operation conducted in Africa, has arrested Ahmet Baykara, an Al-Qaeda operative accused of organizing attacks on Turkish military bases in Syria.

Baykara, who reportedly orchestrated attacks on Turkish bases in Idlib, northwestern Syria, and targeted a Turkish military convoy, was tracked down after an intelligence operation revealed his movements in Syria and Iraq, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

Realizing he was under surveillance, Baykara fled to Africa, where Turkish intelligence ultimately apprehended him.

During interrogation, Baykara confessed to his role in cross-border attacks on Turkish forces and disclosed plans for potential attacks on sensitive sites within Türkiye. He also provided information about his associates.

It should be noted that  Al-Qaeda is a global militant Islamist organization founded in 1988 by Osama bin Laden, among others. Its primary goal is to establish a worldwide Islamic caliphate and remove Western influence from Muslim-majority countries.

The group gained international notoriety for orchestrating the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Al-Qaeda operates through decentralized cells and has inspired or coordinated numerous terrorist attacks globally, though its influence has waned since the death of bin Laden in 2011 and the rise of other extremist groups like ISIS.

By Tamilla Hasanova