Ankara, Turkey – Turkish authorities have launched a massive, simultaneous security operation against the ISIS terrorist organization. The operation, which spans 21 provinces, is a response to the treacherous attack on security forces in Yalova that resulted in the martyrdom of three police officers.
Yalova Massacre: ISIS Khorasan Branch Ambush
The bloody events began in the town of Yalova, where terrorists belonging to the ISIS Khorasan branch ambushed police forces conducting a security operation. The ensuing eight-hour gun battle resulted in the deaths of three Turkish police officers. Six ISIS terrorists involved in the ambush were also killed.
Massive crackdown: 357 arrests in one morning
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Tuesday morning that simultaneous “iron fist” operations had been carried out targeting ISIS cells in 21 provinces, including Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya, Konya, and Şanlıurfa.
Key results of the operations:
357 suspects were arrested in all targeted states.
In Istanbul: 110 suspects were arrested. Investigations revealed that 41 of them were directly linked to the “Yalova” cell that carried out the ambush.
In Ankara: 17 wanted individuals were arrested based on arrest warrants issued by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Interior Minister’s Message: “We Will Not Give Them the Opportunity”
In a firm statement on his official accounts, Minister Yerlikaya confirmed that the operations were carried out in coordination between the Counter-Terrorism Directorate (TEM) and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT). He said, “Just as we have not given the opportunity to those who try to subjugate this nation through terrorism until now, we will never give them the opportunity from now on.”
The security implications of the emergence of the “Khorasan Branch”
Observers believe that the involvement of the “Khorasan Branch” in the Yalova attack represents a dangerous development. This branch is known for its highly organized and deadly operations. These extensive raids are intended as a preemptive strike to prevent any retaliatory attacks or attacks that might target the upcoming New Year’s celebrations.
