NATO Counterterrorism Center in Türkiye enhances global security efforts

The NATO-accredited Counterterrorism Excellence Center Command (COE-DAT) in Türkiye is playing a crucial role in enhancing counterterrorism expertise and experience among NATO member states and partners.

A key NATO institution in counterterrorism

Founded in 2005 and officially accredited by the North Atlantic Council in 2006, COE-DAT has established itself as a vital NATO institution for counterterrorism education and training.

The center provides strategic and operational training to both military and civilian personnel, addressing emerging security threats and enhancing international collaboration in counterterrorism.

According to Colonel Halil Siddik Ayhan, the center’s commander, COE-DAT recently passed NATO Headquarters’ inspections and secured a six-year unconditional NATO Quality Assurance Institutional Accreditation starting January 1, 2025.

“Our mission is to strengthen NATO and global partners against future threats while providing security professionals with a unified understanding of counterterrorism,” Ayhan stated.

Extensive training and collaboration

COE-DAT has conducted 328 training activities in 22 countries, including 39 mobile training sessions. More than 18,447 participants from 124 countries have taken part in these programs.

Lieutenant Colonel Jose Cabrera, deputy commander of COE-DAT, highlighted the institution’s unique capabilities, stating that it has the flexibility to deliver NATO-accredited courses in different locations based on allied and partner nation requests.

“Our vision is to serve as a central hub for international military, governmental, industrial, and academic communities engaged in counterterrorism efforts,” Cabrera explained.

Türkiye’s strong commitment to NATO’s security vision

Türkiye has been an integral NATO member since 1952, consistently contributing to the alliance’s collective security.

COE-DAT operates with military personnel from multiple nations, with Italy and Albania recently joining as contributing members.

“Türkiye’s strategic geographical position makes it a frontline NATO ally in countering terrorism-related threats. Our contributions include direct support to NATO missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, the Black Sea, Iraq, and the Aegean Sea,” Ayhan noted.

COE-DAT also publishes academic research and analysis on counterterrorism trends, producing biannual editions of the Defence Against Terrorism Review (DATR) and releasing books in English on evolving terrorist threats.

Strengthening international cooperation

COE-DAT hosts the annual “Terrorism Experts Conference,” bringing together NATO officials, international organizations, and academic experts to discuss emerging threats and counterterrorism strategies.

The center also conducts strategic-level exercises to reinforce NATO’s counterterrorism framework.

With its expanding mission, COE-DAT continues to reinforce NATO’s transformation efforts, ensuring that alliance members and partners remain prepared to address terrorism-related challenges in a rapidly evolving security landscape.

History of COE-DAT

• Türkiye declared its intention to establish COE-DAT on 01 December 2003
• First Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Meeting conducted at Partnership for Peace (PfP) Center on 15-16 March 2005
• Second Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Meeting conducted at PfP Center on 03-04 May 2005
• COE-DAT cadre moved into its own new buildings on 20 May 2005
• COE-DAT was inaugurated by then Chief of General Staff Gen.Hilmi Ozkok with the participation of distinguished guests on 28 June 2005
• COE-DAT Note of Joinings (NOJ) (Operational NOJ, Functional NOJ) were signed by Türkiye, Bulgaria, Romania and UK. So, Bulgaria, Romania and UK officially joined to COE-DAT on 20 July 2005
• USA joined COE-DAT by signing NOJs on 08 September 2005
• Germany joined COE-DAT by signing NOJs on 05 July 2006
• The Netherlands joined COE-DAT by signing NOJs on 27 September 2006
• COE-DAT was accredited by NATO and gained “International Military Organization” on 14 August 2006
• Hungary joined COE-DAT by signing NOJs on 04 March 2011
• Bulgaria’s official withdrawal from the COE-DAT on 17 November 2021
• Türkiye has completed her internal legal requirements by obtaining the final Presidential Decree dated 09 June 2022 and numbered 5718 to establish the effective date of the Notes of Joining of Albania and Italy as of 21 June 2022. With the completion of Türkiye’s internal legal requirements; Albania and Italy have participated in the Functional and Operational Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) of COE-DAT as two new sponsoring nations on 21 June 2022
• The Netherland’s official withdrawal from the COE-DAT on 01 August 2023
• The United Kingdom’s official withdrawal from the COE-DAT on 31 May 2024