In brief
Turkey's Interior Minister announced the detention of 357 suspected Islamic State members in coordinated security operations across 21 provinces. This action follows a recent siege in Yalova that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. The government has intensified efforts to thwart planned attacks targeting non-Muslims during the holiday season.
More than 350 suspected Islamic State group (IS) members have been detained as part of nationwide police operations in Turkey.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 357 suspects were apprehended across 21 provinces in coordinated raids on Tuesday morning.
It comes just a day after three police officers and six alleged militants were killed during an eight hour siege in the northwestern town of Yalova. Another eight police officers and a security force member were injured.
Less than a week ago, authorities arrested another 115 suspects who prosecutors said had been planning attacks targeting non-Muslims during Christmas and New Year's.
In a post on X, Yerlikaya said Tuesday's operations took place across the country, including in Ankara, Istanbul and Yalova. Just as we have never given an opportunity to those who try to bring this country to its knees with terrorism, we will never give them an opportunity in the future either, he added.
The interior minister also shared a video appearing to show dozens of counter-terrorism officers taking part in the operations and detaining several individuals.
Raids on addresses in Istanbul and two other provinces saw officers seize documents and digital materials, while local media also reported a number of weapons confiscated, including knives and bullets. A statement from the Istanbul chief prosecutor's office indicated that intelligence suggested the suspects might attempt an attack on New Year's Day.
Interior Minister Yerlikaya reported that 16 individuals had been detained in Yalova for making provocative posts on social media amidst tensions following the siege.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered condolences to the families of the slain officers and reiterated Turkey's commitment to combat the threats posed by IS.
Turkey's security forces regularly target individuals suspected of links to the Islamic State, especially given its proximity to the ongoing conflict in Syria, where the group still maintains a presence.
