Turkish authorities confirmed on Monday that a counter-terrorism operation in the country’s northwest resulted in a gunfight that left security personnel and suspected militants among the casualties. The statement was delivered by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who also announced a broader series of coordinated raids carried out overnight. According to the ministry, 108 locations believed to be linked to ISIL were targeted simultaneously across 13 provinces in a late-night security sweep. The operations were planned using intelligence gathered in recent weeks, with a focus on disrupting potential threats during the holiday period.
Yalova Operation Leads to Exchange of Fire
One of the key operations took place in Elmalik village, Yalova province, at approximately 2:00 a.m. local time. Security teams entered a residence in a densely populated neighborhood south of Istanbul, where the situation escalated into an exchange of fire.
The ministry confirmed that three officers were affected during the confrontation, while several others, including community night watch personnel, were injured. Officials stated that five women and six children were evacuated safely from the residence, and that no civilians outside the property were harmed.
To maintain public safety, authorities placed a temporary access restriction around the operation site. Nearby schools postponed classes for the day, and residents were advised to avoid the surrounding area until the operation was fully secured.
Special tactical units from Bursa province later joined the operation to reinforce the perimeter and assist with ongoing security measures.
Holiday-Period Operations Intensified
Security officials stated that counter-ISIL activity has increased over the past week. On Thursday, authorities reported the detention of 115 suspects across 124 sites, following intelligence suggesting possible threats aimed at non-Muslim communities during the holiday season.
Internationally, the United States military also conducted strikes on more than 70 ISIL-linked positions in central and northeastern Syria earlier this month, signaling sustained global pressure on the group.
A Long-Running Regional Challenge
Türkiye shares a direct border with Syria and has continued to track ISIL operatives who relocated into the region after 2019, when the group lost significant territorial control in Iraq and Syria.
Earlier operations in March 2025 resulted in the arrest of nearly 300 suspects across 47 provinces, marking one of the country’s largest coordinated crackdowns.
Arrest Figures Over the Past Decade
Government records show that between 2013 and 2023, more than 19,000 individuals were detained for alleged ISIL affiliation, while the Turkish presidency confirmed that long-term monitoring remains active due to continued intelligence alerts in the region.