Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Sunday that Turkish authorities have arrested 36 individuals suspected of having connections with ISIS, during operations carried out in four regions.
Yerlikaya mentioned in a post on the X social media platform that the police detained suspects found to be active within ISIS ranks and that they assisted in financing the organization and supplying it with provisions.
The minister added that the police also seized several unlicensed rifles and pistols as part of the operations.
In recent months, Turkey has significantly intensified its crackdown on individuals suspected of having ties to In December 2023, Turkey launched “Hero-34”, a large-scale anti-terror operation spanning 32 cities, resulting in the arrest of 304 individuals suspected of links to ISIS. This operation was part of a broader effort to prevent potential terrorist activities and to dismantle networks believed to be providing financial and logistical support to ISIS. Shortly thereafter, in a similar vein, “Heroes-38” was executed, covering 37 provinces and leading to the detention of 189 individuals. These operations were specifically timed ahead of New Year celebrations and were seen as a proactive measure against possible attacks during festive events. The operations were also part of a larger strategy to secure public safety ahead of upcoming local elections.
Beyond these specific operations, Turkish authorities continued their vigilant efforts against ISIS with numerous smaller scale operations across the country. Over a period from mid-2023 to early 2024, the Turkish security forces conducted thousands of anti-ISIS operations, leading to the arrest of several hundred suspects. These operations also included preventive measures against potential attacks on public gatherings, government buildings, and places of worship.
Some arrests were also linked to international incidents, such as the detention of 40 ISIS suspects amid reports that a suspect involved in a Moscow terror attack had traveled from Istanbul. This highlights the international scope of the threat perceived by Turkish authorities and their active role in global counter-terrorism efforts.
