Turkey: 111 suspected IS members arrested in Ankara November 9

Event

On Thursday, November 9, Turkey’s state-run news agency, Anadolu, announced that 111 individuals had been arrested in and around Ankara for alleged ties with the Islamic State (IS) during a large counter-terrorism operation earlier in the day. The operation reportedly included over 1000 police officers and targeted some 250 addresses in security raids. Further details are yet to be released.

Context

The general security situation in Turkey remains precarious due to the heightened risk of terrorism. The country has been a target of multiple attacks perpetrated by both the Islamic State and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has prompted Turkish police to multiply its counter-terrorism raids. According to the Ministry of the Interior, around 450 people with suspected IS ties were arrested in October alone. Moreover, a national state of emergency has been in place since July 2016 following a failed coup d'état launched by members of the armed forces.

Advice

Individuals in Turkey are advised to remain vigilant and to adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.