Turkey arrests 357 suspected IS members in nationwide raids

More than 350 suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) group have been arrested in nationwide police operations in Türkiye.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 357 suspects were apprehended in 21 provinces in coordinated raids Tuesday morning.

It comes just a day after three police officers and six suspected militants were killed during an eight-hour siege in the northwestern town of Yalova. Eight other police officers and a member of the security forces were injured.

Less than a week ago, authorities arrested 115 more suspects who prosecutors say were planning attacks targeting non-Muslims over Christmas and New Years.

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 are trying to bring this country to its knees in the face of terrorism, we will never give them an opportunity in the future,” he added.

The Interior Minister also shared a video showing dozens of anti-terrorism agents participating in the operations and arresting several people.

During searches of addresses in Istanbul and two other provinces – where 110 people were arrested, according to the prosecutor’s office – officers seized documents and digital equipment, while images broadcast in local media also showed a number of weapons, including knives and bullets.

A statement from the Istanbul Prosecutor General’s Office said intelligence suggests the suspects could attempt an attack on New Year’s Day.

He also noted that 41 of those arrested had alleged links to the Yalova clashes on Monday.

Interior Minister Yerlikaya said 16 more people were arrested in Yalova for posting “provocative messages” on social media.

The funerals of the three officials killed in Yalova – İlker Pehlivan, Turgut Külünk and Yasin Koçyiğit – took place on Tuesday.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered his condolences to their families and said Turkey would continue its fight against “bloodthirsty criminals who threaten the peace of our nation and the security of our state.”

Earlier this month, authorities conducted massive searches and arrested 115 people. Officials said IS supporters were actively planning attacks across Turkey, particularly against non-Muslims during Christmas and New Years.

Turkish security services regularly target people suspected of having links to ISIS.

The country shares a 900 km border with Syria, where the group continues to operate in parts of the country.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has close ties to the Turkish government, has pledged to work with the United States and Europe to eliminate surviving elements of ISIS.

The United States launched a wave of airstrikes against the group’s positions across Syria on Friday in response to the deaths of three Americans.

Two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed by ISIS gunmen during an ambush earlier this month.