Turkish police detain 115 Daesh suspects over planned holiday attacks

Turkish counterterrorism police detained 115 Daesh terror suspects in Istanbul over alleged plans to carry out attacks during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Thursday.

The suspects were apprehended during simultaneous operations at 124 locations across the city, conducted by the police Counter-Terrorism Branch under prosecutorial orders. Authorities said the suspects were linked to conflict zones and had information about planned attacks targeting non-Muslims.

Arrest warrants had been issued for 137 suspects on terrorism charges at the national and international level. Security forces seized firearms, ammunition and organizational documents during the raids. Operations are continuing to locate the remaining suspects.

The detentions come amid heightened security measures across Türkiye ahead of New Year celebrations.