T hroughout the whole war against Artsakh unleashed by Turkey and Azerbaijan, information about the participation of special terrorist groups from Syria was circulated, including by Russian and Western sources. The issues on the preparation and transfer of terrorist groups are mainly coordinated by Turkey, which previously had such an experience in Syria and Libya. Taking into account the nature of the activities of SADAT, a private security company in Turkey, we can assume that this company is engaged in recruiting terrorists. Below are presented some details about the company’s activities.

According to some data, Turkish SADAT private security company was formed by retired General Adnan Tanriverdi and by other 23 militants of the Turkish Armed Forces on Erdogan’s order. Moreover, the adherence to the religious and program principles of the AKP was mandatory for the private security company. According to nonofficial data, this company interacts with the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) both in training and recruiting terrorist forces in Syria and in performing delicate operation [1]. The company also prepares terrorist groups in Syria and transfer them to Libya.

According to experts, the founder of SADAT, General Adnan Tanriverdi has a great influence on Erdogan, thus the latter tries to implement his Middle East conquest plans through Tanriverdi. Meral Aksener, former Interior Minister of Turkey and current leader of the opposition Good Party, notes that SADAT teaches people tactical skills and shooting in the Turkish provinces of Tokat and Konya. On the other hand, according to him, Turkish authorities approve of the company’s activities, as they intended to use these people as a living force in case of defeat in the elections. According to Boris Dolgov, the same military camps are currently used for training mercenaries before they are further sent to Libya to fight on the side of the so-called Government of National Accord of Libya and this is also a part of Turkey’s politics [2].

After the failed coup attempt in Turkey in 2016, A. Tanriverdi was appointed as an advisor to Erdogan. Since 1966, he has served in Turkish Armed Forces and has been the officer of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces. According to Turkish sources, he has served in the Special Warfare Department and the Turkish subdivision of Gladio secret network for four years [3]. After retiring, he established Adaleti Savunanlar Derneği, ASDER, the organization uniting the retired soldiers of the Turkish army under one roof and ASSAM Strategic Research Center for the Union of Islamic Countries. However, according to experts, among the structures headed by Tanriverdi, SADAT (International Defense Consultancy A.S.), which is called “Erdogan’s secret army” stands out.

Tanriverdi denies in any way the connection of his organization with the country’s leadership and the fact that it carries out tasks of special significance. However, he has repeatedly stated that “the activity of the private security contractor is carried out within the framework of the state’s foreign policy, as well as that the company was established to provide services to the armed forces of Islamic countries”. American experts believe that Tanriverdi has a great influence on Erdogan’s steps, particularly efforts to create cooperation between the Turkish Government and Tunisian authorities, between the Algerian authorities and Libyan Government of National Accord and the deployment of UAVs to northern Cyprus. Besides the above mentioned, the invasion of Syria, the establishment of military bases in Qatar and Somalia and possible covert weapons shipment to Nigeria [4].

At the same time, the company considers itself the “Islamic alternative” of the American “Blackwater”, whose mission is to build military and military-industrial cooperation between the Islamic states, as well as to help the Islamic world take its place among the world’s superpowers [5].

Turkish opposition regularly accuses SADAT of training militants from the Syrian refugees in the territory of Turkey as well as of its staff taking part in hostilities. Moreover, SADAT also works to train adolescents from the youth wing of the AKP and Osmanlı Ocakları nationalists [6].

SADAT also recruits and trains militants in Central Asia and in Europe. [7] Some political and expert circles concluded that the voluntary recruitment of youth takes place in Europe mainly via the Internet, but it also turned out that SADAT used other means as well. It became known, that through the support of the Union of Turkish Democrats of Europe supporting Erdogan managed to find and recruit mercenaries, who will be involved in terrorist groups. Moreover, the Turkish government also take part in it. Mercenaries in Germany, Austria, Belgium, France and Sweden were issued Turkish passports.

Russia also referred to the activity of SADAT, in particular, the Russian government in a report prepared for the UN presented SADAT as a company sponsored by Erdogan and his family, which trains terrorist groups fighting in Syria. In 2015, Russia launched an investigation among 900 mercenaries travelling to Syria and Iraq, as a result of which it became clear that 25% of them have a direct connection with SADAT. According to terrorists captured by Russian security forces, Turkish consulate provided Turkish passports for the mercenaries trained by SADAT. [8]

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[1] Антон Мардасов, Основатель турецкой частной военной компании был замечен на совещании президента в Анкаре,

[2] Турецкая ЧВК SADAT тренирует наемников из Идлиба для отправки боевиков в Ливию,

[3] Emekli general Adnan Tanrıverdi kim?

[4] Erdoğan's Chief Advisor And Former General Tanrıverdi Presents Vision – Reflected In Turkey's Policy – Of A United Islamic Superpower Based On Shari'a Comprising 61 Countries And With Istanbul As Capital 

[5] Erdoğan'a Başdanışman atanan Adnan Tanrıverdi kimdir, Sadat nedir? 

[6] https://news.ru/world/lichnaya-armiya-erdogana

[7] Бывший офицер НАТО: У Эрдогана есть «спящие» ячейки в Германии

[8] Has SADAT become Erdogan’s Revolutionary Guards?