Authorities in Turkey announced that they have prevented attacks during Christmas and New Year’s festivities after arresting more than 100 alleged members of what is commonly known as the Islamic State. Large-scale raids were conducted at 124 locations in Istanbul, according to the Istanbul chief prosecutor. Guns, bullets, and “organisational documents” had been seized. IS supporters were found to be actively planning attacks all over Turkey this week, especially on the non-Muslim population.
Police Seek Out 22 Additional Suspects
The police have arrested 115 suspects, though efforts are being made to locate the remaining 22, an official statement said. These suspects, according to the prosecutor’s office, had communication with IS operatives from outside Turkey.
This development comes two days after an intelligence operation by Turkish intelligence agents targeted the group on the Afghan-Pakistani border. It should be noted that a Turkish national who was also accused of an important position in the IS branch in the region was arrested and charged with planning an assault on civilians.
Turkey Regularly Targets IS Suspects
The nation’s security agencies conduct operations targeting individuals linked to IS. It also has a 900km common border with Syria, on whose territory the group still operates. President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria has pledged to collaborate with the US and Europe to eliminate all traces of IS that are still alive. He is also on excellent terms with the Turkish government.
The US launched aerial attacks against the positions of the group in Syria on Friday as retaliation for the death of three Americans. Raids were carried out in various areas of Istanbul against suspected IS members, who were preparing attacks around Christmas and New Year, according to police. These resulted in discoveries at more than 100 locations.
The targets, according to the Turkish officials, were non-Muslims who would be celebrating the holidays since Turkey has a small number of Christians, with many people visiting Istanbul during the holiday seasons. The arrest dates indicate that the government was aware of imminent attacks. The police quickly arrested the suspects before they could execute their plans.
In his press conference statement, the prosecutor added that “the suspects were in contact with members of IS in other countries as well,” indicating planning and collaboration with other IS members This is important because it indicates that they have connections globally, and it is most likely what led them to be discovered and arrested.
Just two days before the arrest announcement in Istanbul, there was a related operation carried out by a different Turkish intelligence agency across the Afghanistan and Pakistan border, detaining a Turkish citizen believed to be a high-level official of the terror outfit IS in the area.
This suspect was charged with plotting attacks on civilians. This operation across the border confirms that the Turkish government pursues members of IS both at home and abroad. In reality, Turkey has been under the threat of IS attacks for many years. IS conducted several killer attacks on the cities of Turkey during the early years of the decade.
The 900 km shared border between it and Syria ensures easy movement between them for the IS fighters. Though defeated in most of its strongholds, IS is still operating in Syria. The new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, promised to coordinate a strategy to destroy the remaining IS members with Turkish, US, and European support. This could help secure the Turkish border.
On Friday, air strikes were launched by the US on IS in Syria following the killing of three Americans. It is clear that despite having lost its caliphate some years ago, this militant group has been quite active. The Turkish security forces often carry out operations against suspected members of IS. The arrest of these members is an attempt to prevent attacks and destroy any structures that may exist in Turkey.
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