Turkey Conducts Massive Anti-IS Raids; 600 Detained Nationwide

Turkey launched a massive nationwide crackdown on the Islamic State across 34 provinces.

“Turkish authorities carried out a large-scale operation against the jihadist organization in 21 provinces of the country”

24 Heures

More than 600 suspects were arrested in operations that intensified after three police officers were killed.

24 Heures

The Istanbul prosecutor ordered the arrest of 137 suspected IS members on December 25.

Turkish Interior Minister said they have never given the slightest chance to those who try to bring this country to its knees.

The crackdown followed an eight-hour gunfight in Yalova when police were fired upon.

Three officers were killed, six IS members -- all Turkish nationals -- were shot dead.

Courrier international

Many children were evacuated from the residence.

The six killed suspects included Omer Kaya, a Baghdad-born IS leader.

The crackdown intensified days after US-Israeli strikes assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

“Turkish police have identified and arrested hundreds of suspects following the Istanbul attack”

DIE WELT

Turkey's actions came despite warnings from the European Parliament.

The US State Department listed ten human rights concerns for Turkey, up from three the previous year.

Analysis argued Turkey's shrinking political space could have played a subtle role.