Turkish authorities have arrested nearly 200 people suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group in a series of operations across the country ahead of New Year celebrations, the country’s minister announced on Saturday. Interior.
In a message on X (formerly Twitter), Ali Yerlikaya, Turkish Interior Minister, said that 189 suspects had been arrested in 37 cities, including 27 in Ankara and 22 in Istanbul.
3️⃣7️⃣ İlde DEAŞ Terör Örgütüne yönelik eş zamanlı olarak duzenlenen “KAHRAMANLAR-38” Operasyonlarında 1️⃣8️⃣9️⃣ şahıs yakalandı❗
Aziz Milletimizin Bilmesini isterim ki;
Ülkemizin huzuru, birlik ve beraberliği için teröristlerin hiçbirine göz açtırmayacağız. Milletimizin duası,… pic.twitter.com/4hsQsI7zfc— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) December 30, 2023
An intensification of operations against IS
On Friday, the authorities had already announced the arrest of 32 suspected members of IS, including three important members of the group, suspected of planning attacks in particular against churches and synagogues, as well as against the Iraqi embassy. And the police announced last week a vast search in 32 cities across the country and the arrest of more than 300 people for alleged links with ISIS.