Turkey detains 209 in anti-terror raids before NATO summit

Turkish authorities detained 209 people in a series of security raids in the capital Ankara on Tuesday, June 23, targeting individuals suspected of links to militant groups ahead of a major NATO summit. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that detention orders had been issued for 241 suspects, with operations ongoing to locate the remaining 32 individuals.

The raids targeted multiple organizations designated as terrorist groups by the Turkish government. Officials reported that among those detained were 56 alleged members of the Islamic State group and numerous suspects linked to far-left organizations, including the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C). The DHKP-C has been responsible for past attacks in Turkey, including a 2013 suicide bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara.

The operations occurred just a day after the Ankara Governor's Office announced a 13-day ban on all demonstrations, press conferences, and public gatherings from June 28 to July 10. Authorities cited security preparations for the NATO summit, scheduled for July 7-8, which is expected to host leaders from the 32-member alliance, including U.S. President Donald Trump.