ESPIONAGE!

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February  14, 2022

WISE ON THE MIDDLE EAST

Having traveled and worked in the Middle East since l968,  Robert L. Wise has journeyed through the region, giving him insights from behind the scenes. Two of his sons taught in Jordan and Lebanon. Each week he attempts to present an objective view of current events.

ESPIONAGE!

If you like intrigue and mystery, you’ll find this Middle East episode up your alley. Certainly, gives us insight into how terrorism operates in situations that never make the media’s front page. The story just surface this past week.

Turkish intelligence thwarted an Iranian plan to assassinate an Israeli businessman in the country, according to Turkish media. The intended target, Yair Geller, confirmed the reports. “I know for certain they want to kill me,” Geller said. Authorities led an operation in recent days to arrest eight suspects in the case, according to the Sabah newspaper and many other media outlets.

Turkish reports said an Iranian spy cell comprised of nine operatives. Yair Geller, an Israeli-Turkish businessman who lives in Istanbul and owns an engineering company specializing in aerospace technology. The planned hit was to be a retaliation for the killing of Iranian nuclear chief Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020, widely attributed to Israel’s Mossad, the reports said, as well as a means to hinder warming relations between Ankara and Jerusalem.

The reports confirmed the hit squad followed Geller to his home and workplace and was planning to use Turkish citizens to carry out the assassination. Unbeknownst to the spies, they were being watched themselves, by Turkish agents. Once they determined that assassination preparations were underway, they shared the information with Mossad. Geller was then transferred to a safe house, with Mossad actively aiding in his protection. He was invited to move to Israel for safety but declined.

The leader of the cell in Turkey was identified as Iranian Moshtagh Bighouz. A ninth person, the squad’s leader in Iran, was named as Iranian intelligence officer Yasin Taheremamkendi.

Geller did not know why he was targeted. “I cannot speak freely and I know for certain they want to kill me,” he said. “If I go into detail on the matter, I could cause significant damage to the country, but it’s completely true.”

In November, Cypriot authorities filed charges against six suspects for allegedly planning to attack Israeli targets on the eastern Mediterranean island. Israel reported the cell had been sent by Iran to assassinate billionaire Teddy Sagi, and possibly others. Among those charged was Orkhan Asadov, a 38-year-old Azerbaijani national. He and three Pakistanis indicted in the case were accused of plotting to visit Cyprus to commit acts of terror. All but one of the suspects allegedly planned to kill five Israelis who live in Cyprus.

There you have it. An old-Fashioned James Bond story. Never can tell what will come next.

I have a new books coming out.

MAN ON FIRE can be ordered on Amazon or at your local book store. 

  

MAN ON FIRE can be ordered on Amazon or at your local book store. 
I hope you’ll avail yourself of this inspiring story!
Also these fine books are available now:
I Marched with Patton: A Firsthand Account of World War II
Alongside One of the U.S. Army’s Greatest Generals!
by Frank Sisson (Author), Robert L. Wise (Author)
You can find I MARCHED WITH PATTON on Amazon.

82 Days on Okinawa: One American’s Unforgettable
Firsthand Account of the Pacific War’s Greatest Battle!
You can find 82 DAYS ON OKINAWA on Amazon.
by Art Shaw (Author), Robert L. Wise (Author)

82 Days on Okinawa: One American’s Unforgettable

Firsthand Account of the Pacific War’s Greatest Battle!

You can find 82 DAYS ON OKINAWA on Amazon.

by Art Shaw (Author), Robert L. Wise (Author)