Turkish Police Foil Planned ISIS Attacks with Major Arrests
In a sweeping crackdown, Turkish police have detained 115 individuals suspected of affiliation with the Islamic State (ISIS). These arrests were part of a coordinated effort to thwart planned terror attacks targeting non-Muslim celebrations during the Christmas and New Year periods.
According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, intelligence had uncovered a call to arms from ISIS, prompting the issuance of 137 arrest warrants. The raids were executed at 124 different locations, resulting in 115 suspects being captured. Weapons, ammunition, and organizational materials were seized during these operations.
ISIS has previously employed a dual approach to terrorism, organizing large-scale attacks reminiscent of al-Qaeda’s methods, such as the 2015 Bataclan attack in Paris, while also inspiring independent “lone wolf” attacks akin to the 2017 Westminster Bridge incident.
Post-caliphate, many ISIS affiliates are believed to have relocated to Turkey, a nation sharing a lengthy 559-mile border with Syria.
In a separate mission, Turkish intelligence agents apprehended Mehmet Goren near the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Goren, a Turkish national, allegedly served as an ISIS administrator orchestrating suicide bombings across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Europe. He reportedly collaborated with Ozgur Altun, who was previously detained for facilitating the movement of ISIS operatives from Turkey to South Asia.
Turkey has endured numerous attacks linked to ISIS since 2014, ranging from minor skirmishes at the border to significant attacks like the 2015 Ankara suicide bombings that claimed 109 lives. However, the period from 2017 to 2024 saw a decrease in such incidents, largely due to proactive measures by Turkish security forces. These efforts have led to the arrest of thousands and the disruption of various plots, including those targeting religious sites in 2023.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
