In a significant security crackdown, Turkish authorities have apprehended nearly 200 individuals suspected of being associated with the jihadist group ISIS.
Over the past few months, Turkey has escalated its efforts to combat ISIS members © Mena Today
In a significant security crackdown, Turkish authorities have apprehended nearly 200 individuals suspected of being associated with the jihadist group ISIS in a series of operations across the country, just before New Year's celebrations, announced Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on Saturday.
Yerlikaya conveyed through a message on social media that 189 suspects were arrested in 37 cities, with 27 in Ankara and 22 in Istanbul.
Over the past few months, Turkey has escalated its efforts to combat ISIS members within its borders. The group had claimed responsibility for several deadly attacks in Turkey, including the infamous nightclub attack in Istanbul on January 1, 2017, which resulted in the deaths of 39 people.
On Friday, authorities had already reported the arrest of 32 suspected ISIS members, including three significant figures within the group. These individuals were believed to be planning attacks, including ones targeting churches, synagogues, and the Iraqi embassy.
Last week, the Turkish police conducted a sweeping operation across 32 cities, leading to the arrest of more than 300 people on suspicion of having ties to ISIS.
On Monday, global attention will turn to Sharm el-Sheikh, as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump co-chair a high-level peace summit aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
Turkish Airlines is reportedly exploring the possibility of resuming flights to Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport in the coming weeks, signaling what could be a remarkable shift after nearly two years of frozen aviation ties between the two countries.
Turkey aims to take part in a "task force" overseeing the newly-agreed ceasefire in Gaza and the implementation of its articles, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, as Ankara appeared to have emerged as a key player in both the negotiations and execution of the deal.
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