Turkey: Suspected IS militants arrested in Istanbul on July 27

Event

Turkish state media announced that 26 individuals, including 17 foreign nationals, suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS) have been arrested in Istanbul as part of counter-terrorism police operation on Thursday morning, July 27. The operation reportedly targeted nine different districts in the city. Authorities also seized related documents and data in addition to the arrests.

Relatedly, another suspected IS militant remains detained in the southern province of Gaziantep as of Thursday, July 27, for allegedly planning a suicide attack on the anniversary of the July 2016 coup attempt.

Context

Some 319 people have been killed in Turkey in IS-related attacks.

The country has long been accused of turning a blind eye to terrorist activities operating near the Syrian border. Yet, over the past two years, Turkey has increased its efforts in dismantling terrorist cells. In July, a nationwide anti-terrorist operation resulted in some 200 arrest and five deaths.

Turkey is part of a US-led coalition against IS. On August 24, 2016, the Turkish military launched a ground offensive in northern Syria against IS and Kurdish militias.

Advice

Travelers are advised to remain vigilant and to avoid discussing sensitive political topics in public.

Due to the Turkish government's ongoing conflicts with the PKK as well as the Islamic State (IS), most Western governments advise against all travel to the city of Diyarbakır and areas along the Syrian and Iraqi borders, as well as nonessential travel to the provinces of Şırnak, Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, Hatay, Siirt, Tunceli, and Hakkâri. The threat of terrorism remains present throughout Turkey. Travelers should remain vigilant, report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities, and avoid all protests due to the risk of violence.