Over 300 suspects tied to Islamic State detained in nationwide operation, says Turkey
"In the name of our nation's peace, unity, and solidarity, we will not give terrorists a moment's respite. Our security forces' intense efforts will ensure we continue our fight," Yerlikaya stated, in information published on social media about the significant operation, named "Heroes-34", which spanned almost the entire nation.
9:17 AM EST, December 22, 2023
The individuals arrested, suspected to be linked to the Islamic State, were spread across 32 provinces, heavily concentrated in Turkey's three largest cities: Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir. Yerlikaya reported these details on platform X (previously known as Twitter), sharing a video of law enforcement escorting suspects out of buildings. He did not, however, reveal the detainees' nationalities.
The Islamic State has been responsible for multiple attacks in Turkey in recent years. On January 1, 2017, the group orchestrated an attack on an Istanbul nightclub, resulting in the death of 39 people. In 2014, the IS controlled roughly a third of the territory of Iraq and Syria.
In response to an October attack when terrorists detonated a bomb close to government buildings in the capital, Turkish authorities have ramped up operations against the Islamic State and Kurdish fighters in recent weeks.
