27 Dec 2017 | 05:55 AM UTC
Turkey: Counterterrorism forces arrest 33 suspected IS members Dec. 25
Turkish counterterrorism forces arrest 33 suspected IS members in Istanbul, Samsun, and Kayseri provinces December 25
Event
Turkish counterterrorism forces arrested 33 people suspected of having ties to the Islamic State (IS) group in separate raids in three Turkish provinces on Monday, December 25. The anti-terror raids were reportedly carried out in the provinces of Istanbul, Samsun, and Kayseri; counterterrorism forces arrested 22 suspected IS members in multiple simultaneous security operations in neighborhoods of Istanbul, detained three suspects in Samsun (Samsun province), and eight more in the city of Kayseri (Kayseri province). All those arrested were foreigners, according to media sources. Additional raids against suspected IS militants are possible in Turkey in the coming weeks.
Context
Turkish security forces regularly carry out counterterror raids. On December 6, police reportedly detained 26 foreigners with suspected links to IS during such raids in Istanbul. Security has also been heightened in recent days amid concerns over potential attacks during the end-of-year holiday season, and on December 20, authorities announced that New Year celebrations had been banned at Taksim Square this year due to security concerns. In 2016, 39 people were killed in an Istanbul night club on New Year's Eve. Abdulkadir Masharipov, the perpetrator of the attack, later confessed that he had originally planned to strike Taksim Square but had to change plans due to heightened security measures.
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 IS, which has prompted the Turkish police to intensify its counterterrorism efforts. 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 after members of the armed forces launched a failed coup d'état attempt.
Advice
Individuals in Turkey are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
