[Spain]: Intelligence Notice to Turkey

[Zak]

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Top Secret / Eyes Only

1. Situation Overview
Spain is currently experiencing a constitutional crisis following the invocation of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, resulting in the suspension of Catalonia’s autonomy. This measure was enacted after the Free Catalan Assembly, led by Julia Riera, declared unilateral independence and was subsequently suppressed by the central government, culminating in Riera’s arrest.

2. Intelligence Assessment
There is credible evidence indicating potential covert support from elements within the Egyptian government directed towards Catalan separatist factions. This support reportedly includes supportive assistance and communication facilitation, potentially leveraging Egyptian intelligence operatives and affiliated networks. This involvement aligns with broader regional destabilization objectives targeting Mediterranean alliances and the exploitation of Spain’s internal political divisions.

3. Operational Considerations
We urge the Turkish government for increased vigilance to monitor Egyptian nationals transiting through Turkey and onwards to Spain (specifically to Madrid or Barcelona)

Monitoring and intelligence sharing on any communications, logistical support, or financial transactions connected to these networks is critical.

The crisis poses risks to regional security, including the stability of Mediterranean maritime routes significant to both Spain and Turkey.

4. Request for Cooperation
The National Intelligence Center requests enhanced surveillance and intelligence sharing from the National Intelligence Organization concerning suspected individuals and organizations within Turkish jurisdiction that may be facilitating or connected to this activity. Continued coordination will be essential to prevent further destabilization and to support joint efforts to maintain regional stability.

Jay

 

[Jay]

Millî İstihbarat Teşkilatı National Intelligence Organization​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET // EYES ONLY // YALNIZCA TÜRKİYE-İSPANYA CABLE NO.: MIT-EUR/245-2006 DATE-TIME GROUP (DTG): 201200ZAUG06 FROM: MIT HQ ANKARA TO: CNI MADRID SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO CNI INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING – CATALONIA CRISIS & SUSPECTED EGYPTIAN INVOLVEMENT REFERENCE: CNI/CATCRISIS/INTSUM/2025-118

MİT appreciates the timely and detailed briefing received from our Spanish counterparts regarding the current constitutional crisis in Catalonia and associated foreign influence concerns. We recognize the sensitivity and complexity of the current situation and affirm our commitment to maintaining regional stability and protecting mutual interests in the Mediterranean basin. MİT has reviewed internal records and external surveillance data and, to date, has identified no direct or credible evidence of Egyptian intelligence actors using Turkish territory as a logistical or operational base for activities targeting Spain. However, several incidents involving Egyptian nationals in Izmir and Diyarbakir were flagged between March and early August 2006. While initial assessments did not indicate links to Catalan separatist movements, these individuals remain under discreet observation. At present, MİT assesses the likelihood of organized Egyptian support to Catalan elements via Turkish territory as low, though we acknowledge the fluidity of intelligence dynamics and remain vigilant. MİT is actively monitoring movements of interest through key transit points, including Istanbul Airport, Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, and regional border crossings. Our liaison officers with the Gendarmerie Intelligence Services the JİTEM have been notified of this concern. While legal constraints limit overt surveillance of certain Kurdish-affiliated political groups, particularly where legitimate party status under Turkish law applies, MİT maintains routine intelligence-gathering operations on Kurdish extremist elements, including Kurdish Hawks (TAK) and radical PKK splinters, for any indication of foreign collaboration. The MİT will monitor any potential ties between the TAK and the Catalan Insurgency due to shared affinities expressed by TAK officials for the Catalan Insurgency. MİT proposes the following immediate steps for enhanced bilateral coordination: a. Deployment of MİT liaison officers to Madrid for face-to-face consultations on joint threat assessment and strategic cooperation. b. Establishment of a secure bilateral channel for information exchange regarding suspect individuals, financial flows, or digital communications. c. Joint risk mapping exercise to identify potential vectors of influence or movement from third-party states exploiting regional vulnerabilities. POINT OF CONTACT: MİT Foreign Liaison Division – Europe Desk Encrypted Line: +90-312-XXX-XXXX Channel ID: YALNIZCA-ALPHA Classification: TS/SCI – YALNIZCA TÜRKİYE-İSPANYA Regards, NOTE: This document is classified TOP SECRET and is intended solely for the coordination of intelligence activities between MİT and CNI. Unauthorized dissemination is strictly prohibited.​

Zak

 

[Zak]

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Top Secret / Eyes Only

The Centro Nacional de Inteligencia (CNI) acknowledges receipt of the MİT's recent intelligence communication regarding potential foreign logistical or operational support for Catalan separatist elements via or transiting through Turkish territory.

Key Points of Note.

Appreciation of Strategic Alignment
We values the reaffirmation of MİT's commitment to regional stability and your recognition of the Catalonia situation as an internal Spanish matter. Coordination on this matter remains of high strategic interest to Spain.

Egyptian National Activity (Izmir & Diyarbakir)
We request further data or intelligence (SIGINT/HUMINT) relating to the flagged Egyptian individuals currently under observation. Cross-referencing these profiles with CNI databases may yield insight into indirect or proxy linkages.

Transit Surveillance Operations
CNI commends MİT’s proactive monitoring of strategic transit hubs. We request telemetry or behavioral pattern data (travel clusters, repeat entry-exit cycles) for individuals exhibiting suspect profiles, particularly those matching Catalan-affiliated surnames or dual-national identities of interest.

TAK Expressions of Solidarity
We concur with MİT’s assessment regarding rhetorical solidarity between TAK and Catalan separatist factions. We advise enhanced monitoring of TAK digital forums and associated proxy communication channels (Telegram, decentralized social media) for narratives aligning Catalan and Kurdish separatism.

Response to Proposed Measures

1. Liaison Officer Deployment (Madrid)
Approved. CNI will gladly host MİT liaison personnel at our Madrid headquarters a timeframe to be determined by yourselves. We request details to be coordinated via secure diplomatic backchannel to Ministry of Interior.[/b]

2. Secure Bilateral Channel
Under implementation. CNI proposes establishing a Mediterranean Counterterrorism Signal Network (MCSN) with protocol upgrades for end-to-end encryption and interagency authentication. The Mediterranean Counterterrorism Network will be a secure, interagency intelligence-sharing framework designed to enhance counterterrorism coordination among Mediterranean nations. The network will facilitate real-time encrypted communication, joint threat assessments, and the exchange of signals intelligence (SIGINT) related to transnational extremist movements, illicit trafficking routes, and regional destabilization efforts. It will be operated through a decentralized node-based architecture, the agreement will ensure resilience against cyber interference while promoting rapid, coordinated responses to emerging threats across land, sea, and digital domains.

3. Joint Risk Mapping Exercise
Agreed. CNI proposes initial digital coordination workshop to be scheduled ASAP. The objective will be to compile a red zone matrix identifying high-risk vectors exploited by third-party state and non-state actors (i.e., North African logistical facilitators, Balkan smuggling networks, and cyber-facilitated funding conduits).

Closing Remarks
We consider Turkish-Spanish intelligence cooperation critical to mitigating the transnational dimensions of separatist insurgency and preserving sovereignty against malign external influence. Further exchanges are welcomed via secure lines. We remain at readiness.

Jay