Turkish security forces nab 15 Daesh suspects in Istanbul

Operations were carried out at 23 addresses, including one each in the provinces of Kocaeli and Yalova, according to police statement

Turkish security forces arrested 15 suspects linked to the Daesh terrorist group in anti-terror operations in three provinces centered in Istanbul, according to an official statement.

Coordinated efforts led by the Istanbul Security Directorate’s counterterrorism and intelligence branches and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) aimed to capture 20 suspects linked to Daesh so-called Khorasan Province (ISKP) network in Türkiye, said a police statement.

Operations were carried out at 23 addresses, including one each in the provinces of Kocaeli and Yalova, and eight districts in the Istanbul metropolis.

It said 12 suspects were detained, along with three more suspects, including two from the ongoing operation and one related to the Jan. 28 attack on Istanbul’s Santa Maria Church, in which one person was killed.

Out of the total 15 suspects, five were placed under judicial control measures, while 10 were arrested and remanded to correctional facilities, it added.

Tuesday’s operations follow 17 suspected members of the Daesh terrorist organization linked to the church attack apprehended last Saturday.

In 2013, Türkiye became one of the first countries to declare Daesh a terrorist organization.

The country has since been attacked by the terror group multiple times, with over 300 people killed and hundreds more injured in at least 10 suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks, and four armed attacks.

In response, Türkiye launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks.

Source: AA