Turkey Launches Major Raids Detaining 357 Suspected ISIS Members

Tue Dec 30 2025 15:12:34 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a coordinated effort, Turkish police have detained 357 individuals across 21 provinces, responding to recent violence linked to the Islamic State group. The operation follows deadly clashes in Yalova and questions over planning attacks targeting non-Muslim celebrations.

Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the detention of 357 suspected ISIS members during nationwide raids. This large-scale operation comes in the wake of recent violence, including a siege in Yalova that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries among police officers. Authorities are taking action to prevent potential attacks on non-Muslims around the holiday season. The crackdown reflects ongoing security measures against ISIS, especially in light of its activity along the Turkish-Syrian border.

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 stated that 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 asserted.

The interior minister also shared a video showing dozens of counter-terrorism officers participating in operations and capturing several individuals.

Raids on addresses in Istanbul and two other provinces saw officers seize documents and digital materials, while local media displayed pictures of various weapons, including knives and bullets. A statement from the Istanbul chief prosecutor's office indicated that intelligence had suggested the suspects might attempt an attack on New Year's Day.

Forty-one of those detained had suspected links to the clash in Yalova on Monday, while another 16 individuals were detained in Yalova for making provocative posts on social media.

The funerals were held on Tuesday for the three officers killed in Yalova, named İlker Pehlivan, Turgut Külünk, and Yasin Koçyiğit. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his condolences and reaffirmed Turkey's commitment to combating terrorists who threaten national peace and security.

Earlier this month, authorities executed mass raids, arresting 115 individuals based on reports of IS supporters allegedly planning attacks in Turkey, particularly against non-Muslims during Christmas and New Year's celebrations.