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Turkey Detains 115 ISIS Suspects in Istanbul

Published 25 December 2025

Turkish authorities launched a sweeping counterterrorism operation in Istanbul on Thursday, detaining 115 suspected members of the Islamic State group accused of plotting attacks during Christmas and New Year celebrations. The raids targeted 124 locations across the city, disrupting what officials described as imminent threats against non-Muslims during the holiday period.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants for 137 individuals based on intelligence indicating the suspects had received directives from the extremist organization to carry out violence. Special police units from the Counter-Terrorism Department executed simultaneous operations, apprehending 115 of the targets. Authorities seized several firearms, ammunition, and organizational documents during the searches, which revealed communications with Islamic State operatives outside Turkey. Efforts continue to locate the remaining 22 suspects, and the operation remains active as investigators probe potential additional networks.

The suspects were allegedly involved in financing and propagating the group's activities, highlighting the transnational reach of the threat. Officials emphasized...

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