Security forces in Türkiye launched sweeping nationwide counterterrorism operations, arresting 357 suspected ISIS members in a single day over alleged plans to carry out attacks on New Year’s night.
According to the interior minister, counterterrorism operations were conducted simultaneously in 21 provinces, resulting in the arrest of a total of 357 suspects. The operations were jointly carried out by provincial police, counterterrorism units, and intelligence agencies.
The Interior Ministry stated that Türkiye follows a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and will not allow any terrorist organization to operate within the country.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said that 110 suspects were arrested in the city who were planning terrorist attacks in Istanbul around the New Year.
Meanwhile, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that arrest warrants had been issued for 17 suspects linked to ISIS, including 11 foreign nationals.
Security forces had also arrested more than 100 suspected ISIS members in Istanbul during operations carried out a few days earlier.
Turkish authorities said at the time that those arrested were planning terrorist attacks during the New Year period, and a large cache of weapons was recovered during the raids.
