Istanbul, Turkey
Turkish security forces have disrupted a series of planned attacks targeting Christmas and New Year’s celebrations after a massive counter-terrorism operation across Istanbul. Over 100 suspected members of the so-called Islamic State (IS) group were detained in coordinated raids involving 124 different addresses, according to the city’s chief prosecutor.
Authorities believe the suspects were actively plotting strikes against public events and religious minorities. During the raids, police seized a significant cache of firearms, ammunition, and “organisational documents.” While 115 individuals are currently in custody, security services are still searching for another 22 suspects believed to be linked to the cell.
International Connections
The Istanbul prosecutor’s office stated that the detainees had been in regular contact with IS operatives based outside of Turkey. The arrests follow a high-stakes intelligence operation just two days ago on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where Turkish agents captured a senior IS commander of Turkish nationality.
This commander is accused of orchestrating civilian attacks across the region, highlighting the group’s persistent reach despite losing its territorial “caliphate” years ago.
Border Tensions and US Involvement
Turkey, which shares a 560-mile (900km) border with Syria, remains a primary target and transit point for IS remnants. The security situation in the region has sharpened in recent weeks:
- Syrian Cooperation: Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa, an ally of Ankara, has recently pledged to work alongside European and US forces to “root out” surviving IS elements.
- US Retaliation: On Friday, the United States launched heavy airstrikes against IS positions in Syria. The strikes were a direct response to an IS ambush earlier this month that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter.
Operation Breakdown: Istanbul Raids
| Metric | Detail |
| Addresses Targeted | 124 across Istanbul |
| Suspects Detained | 115 |
| Suspects Wanted | 22 (Still at large) |
| Primary Targets | Christmas/New Year events; non-Muslim communities |
| Items Seized | Firearms, ammunition, internal documents |
Security Warning: The Turkish government has advised increased vigilance in major cities during the remainder of the festive period, with a heightened police presence expected at popular tourist sites and places of worship.
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