The Turkish Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, announced today, Tuesday, that Turkish security forces have arrested 147 individuals suspected of belonging to the ISIS organization.
According to Bloomberg Agency, Yerlikaya indicated on his account on the “Ex” social media platform (formerly Twitter) that Turkish forces carried out the operation in 30 provinces.
The suspects are accused of belonging to ISIS, engaging in armed activities in conflict areas, and providing funding to the terrorist group.
Turkish security forces conduct raids to track down ISIS elements in response to attacks claimed by the organization in the country over several years, resulting in the deaths and injuries of dozens.
Among the attacks carried out by the organization in Turkey was an assault on New Year’s Eve in 2017, targeting a nightclub in Istanbul, which killed 39 people and injured 79 others.
Turkey has intensified its operations against ISIS and other armed groups since early October, following a bomb explosion near government buildings at the start of the month and amid the conflict in Gaza. In a significant crackdown, Turkish authorities detained over 300 individuals suspected of having links to ISIS across 32 provinces. The majority of these arrests took place in Turkey’s three largest cities: Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir. The operation was coordinated nationwide, and while the nationalities of the detainees have not been disclosed, it is part of Turkey’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism within its borders.
This crackdown is seen as particularly relevant in the lead-up to New Year’s celebrations, recalling the tragic nightclub attack in Istanbul in 2017 that resulted in 39 deaths.
In recent years, Turkey has carried out significant operations against individuals suspected of links to the Islamic State (ISIS). One of the notable operations was “Operation Heroes-37”, where at least 29 suspects were arrested for allegedly planning attacks on synagogues and churches, as well as the Iraqi Embassy in Ankara. This operation was part of a broader security drive by Turkey’s forces ahead of the New Year festivities and potentially in the context of upcoming local elections.
However, there have been concerns regarding the actual number of ISIS members incarcerated in Turkey and the effectiveness of the legal process against them. Reports suggest that many ISIS suspects have either been acquitted or had their convictions overturned by the Supreme Court of Appeals. This raises questions about the transparency and effectiveness of Turkey’s efforts in combating ISIS-related security threats.
