Turkish security forces have arrested more than 100 people suspected of links to the so-called Islamic State (IS) group, authorities said, describing the operation as a move to prevent planned attacks during the Christmas and New Year period.
According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, coordinated raids were carried out at 124 locations across the city. During the operations, police seized firearms, ammunition and documents believed to be connected to the organisation’s activities.
Officials said intelligence indicated that IS supporters had been actively preparing attacks in several parts of Turkey, with particular focus on public celebrations and locations associated with non-Muslim communities. A total of 115 suspects were taken into custody, while security services are continuing efforts to locate 22 additional individuals believed to be involved.
The prosecutor’s office added that the detained suspects were in communication with IS operatives based outside Turkey, suggesting cross-border coordination.
The arrests come shortly after Turkish intelligence conducted a separate operation near the Afghanistan–Pakistan border. In that raid, a Turkish national alleged to have held a senior role within an IS affiliate in the region was detained on suspicion of planning attacks against civilians.
Turkey’s security agencies regularly carry out operations against individuals suspected of having ties to IS. The country shares a long border with Syria, where remnants of the group remain active in certain areas despite sustained military pressure.
Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who maintains close relations with Ankara, has pledged cooperation with the United States and European partners to eliminate remaining IS elements. In parallel, the US recently carried out air strikes on IS positions in Syria following the killing of three Americans earlier this month during an ambush claimed by the group.
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