Turkey detains 357 ISIS suspects after deadly clash, minister says
Turkey detained 357 suspected ISIS members nationwide after three police officers were killed in a clash, prompting sweeping counterterrorism raids across 21 provinces.
Turkey has detained 357 suspected Islamic State members in a nationwide operation carried out a day after three police officers were killed in a clash with ISIS militants, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Tuesday. The arrests were made across 21 provinces.
Yerlikaya said the coordinated raids were conducted by provincial police units in cooperation with chief prosecutors, counterterrorism departments, and police intelligence services. He stressed that Turkey would show “zero tolerance” toward terrorism.
The crackdown follows a deadly confrontation on Monday in the northwestern city of Yalova, where three Turkish police officers and six ISIS militants were killed during an exchange of fire. The incident heightened security concerns nationwide.
Istanbul’s chief prosecutor’s office said at least 110 ISIS suspects were detained in the city, including 41 linked directly to the Yalova attackers. Authorities said the suspects were planning similar attacks during New Year celebrations in Istanbul.
In Ankara, prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 17 ISIS-linked suspects, including 11 foreign nationals, accused of membership in the terrorist group and maintaining contacts with conflict zones.
Turkey has faced repeated threats from ISIS over the past decade, including deadly attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and public events. Authorities have since expanded counterterrorism operations nationwide.
As a NATO member bordering Syria and Iraq, Turkey remains a key transit and target area for extremist networks, prompting sustained security campaigns against militant groups.
Officials said investigations are continuing and further arrests are possible as authorities analyze seized digital material and financial links.
Security analysts say the large-scale operation underscores Ankara’s determination to prevent attacks during high-risk periods and disrupt ISIS networks operating inside the country.
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