Turkey Foils Planned IS Attacks, Arrests Over 100 Suspects Ahead of Holidays

Turkey arrested over 100 suspected Islamic State members in Istanbul, preventing planned attacks on Christmas and New Year’s events. Investigations continue to trace additional suspects.

Turkish authorities have disrupted planned attacks on Christmas and New Year’s events after arresting more than 100 suspected members of the so-called Islamic State (IS) group. The operations involved mass raids at 124 addresses across Istanbul, during which firearms, ammunition, and “organizational documents” were seized, according to the city’s chief prosecutor.
Officials stated that IS supporters had been actively planning attacks across Turkey this week, with a particular focus on targeting non-Muslims. Police detained 115 suspects, while efforts are ongoing to trace a further 22 individuals linked to the plot. The prosecutor’s office indicated that the suspects were in contact with IS operatives outside of Turkey, highlighting the international connections of the group.
This announcement comes shortly after Turkish intelligence agents conducted a raid against IS on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. During that operation, a Turkish national alleged to have held a senior role in the IS wing operating in the region was detained and accused of planning attacks against civilians.
Turkey’s security services routinely target individuals suspected of having links to IS, a group that continues to operate in parts of Syria. The country shares a 900-kilometer (560-mile) border with Syria, making it particularly vigilant against potential threats. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has close ties to the Turkish government, has pledged to collaborate with the US and Europe to eliminate any surviving elements of IS.
Recently, the United States carried out a wave of airstrikes against IS positions in Syria in response to the killing of three Americans earlier this month, which included two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter who were ambushed and killed by IS gunmen. These coordinated security efforts underscore the ongoing international fight against terrorism and the heightened vigilance around major public events.