The operations were carried out in nine districts of the country at the end of last year.
Officials of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and Security Directorate have arrested three leaders of the Islamic State (ISIS) and 29 others suspected of planning attacks on synagogues and churches, as well as the Iraqi embassy in Turkey. This was announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, on the X social platform, TRT Haber state television reported.
The operations were carried out in nine districts of the country, including Istanbul and Ankara. The so-called “commanders”, who are reported to be foreign nationals with Arabic surnames, have confessed to preparing the attacks, Turkish TV said. During the interrogations, the detainees revealed details about the structure and activities of ISIS in Turkey and Syria.
As part of the operations, digital materials related to the organization’s activities were seized, added Ali Yerlikaya, noting that for the last six months, nearly 730 operations against the Islamic State were carried out in the country, during which 98 terrorists were “neutralized” and 1254 people were arrested.
Turkish authorities use the term “neutralization” to mean that the terrorists in question have surrendered, been killed or captured.
