Turkey Detains Dozens of ISIS Suspects Plotting Attacks on Christmas and New Year Celebrations

Turkish authorities carried out coordinated raids across Istanbul, searching 124 locations and detaining 115 people suspected of links to the Islamic State (IS/ISIS/ISIL) after prosecutors issued 137 arrest warrants, officials said.

“Turkish authorities, with intelligence, police and military units, have detained dozens accused of financing and propagandising for ISIL, while 22 suspects remain at large”

Al Jazeera

Investigators seized firearms, ammunition and what authorities described as 'organisational documents' during the operation, which prosecutors said had uncovered alleged plans to attack Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Al Jazeera

Authorities also reported that many of the detainees had contacts with IS operatives abroad and that some suspects remain sought as investigations continue.

Officials told investigators that the suspects had been urged to target non‑Muslims and crowded holiday events during the Christmas and New Year period.

Prosecutors and security statements cited communications between detainees and IS operatives in conflict zones, suggesting the plots were influenced or directed by external networks.

Al Jazeera

Turkish authorities described the arrests as pre‑emptive steps to foil planned attacks and said the probe remained ongoing as they seek additional suspects and compile evidence.

Authorities and regional outlets placed this operation within Turkey's long-running campaign against IS, noting thousands of past arrests and deportations since IS's rise.

“Turkish police raided 124 locations in Istanbul and arrested 115 suspected ISIS members they say were planning Christmas and New Year attacks targeting mainly non‑Muslim communities; authorities added that of 137 suspects in the investigation, 22 escaped, the BBC reported”

Arutz Sheva

Reports mentioned the capture of a suspected senior IS-K figure on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and parallel international strikes on IS positions.

They framed the Istanbul raids as part of sustained domestic and cross-border counter-terror work.

Reporting differed on emphasis and additional allegations.

Some sources focused narrowly on the immediate foiling of holiday attacks and the tactical details of the raid.

CBC

Others highlighted charges of financing, propaganda and the transnational links of suspects.

Officials said the probe continues, with outstanding warrants and further searches expected.

Outlets noted the broader international backdrop, including recent US strikes against IS targets in Syria and concerns about IS networks in several regions.