The Turkiye government on Wednesday confirmed the detention of 125 individuals suspected of links to ISIL (ISIS) following synchronized security operations across much of the country. Officials said the raids were part of an intensified effort to monitor and disrupt alleged sleeper networks during the year-end holiday period.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the results in a public post, stating that law enforcement teams conducted coordinated entries in 25 provinces, spanning major cities including the capital, Ankara.
“Groups that aim to disrupt our unity and peace will meet the full resolve of the state and the solidarity of the nation,” Yerlikaya said in the statement.
The raids follow a series of recent security developments, including a deadly confrontation in Yalova on Tuesday that prompted broader national operations. The Interior Ministry said the incident led to three police officers killed and six suspected ISIL members neutralized, all Turkish nationals.
Third Raid Wave in a Week, Security Posture Raised
Authorities said Wednesday’s operation is the third major detention wave in under seven days, signaling a heightened domestic security posture. On Tuesday, security agencies also reported the detention of 357 additional suspects in a broader anti-ISIL crackdown during the same 48-hour window.
While the government did not publish granular battlefield imagery or operational diagrams, officials said the raids were backed by surveillance intelligence, local prosecutor coordination, and national security assessments.
Regional Activity in Syria Draws Renewed Monitoring
Al Jazeera correspondent Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Istanbul earlier this week, said Turkish agencies have expanded monitoring of ISIL cells during the holiday season, citing intelligence warnings issued by prosecutors in December 2025.
Officials said Istanbul prosecutors previously received tips suggesting possible attacks were being planned against civilian gatherings, particularly timed around holiday celebrations.
ISIL activity has also been reported in Syria, where the group remains operational in several districts. Turkiye shares a 900-kilometer border with Syria, making regional security spillover a recurring focus for Turkish agencies.
U.S. Confirms Counter-ISIL Operations in Syria
The U.S. Central Command stated that American forces have carried out anti-ISIL missions in central and northeastern Syria this month. The operations reportedly resulted in about 25 ISIL fighters removed from active operations, either through detention or confirmed battlefield engagements, within a two-week window.
The U.S. missions followed a December incident in Palmyra, where two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed. Washington agencies attributed the attack to a single ISIL-linked fighter who acted independently from maritime routes.
No Public Civilian Risk Alerts in Turkiye Yet
Turkiye has not announced public alerts of imminent attacks affecting national travel or civilian aviation, and no mass disruption to domestic trade routes was reported by the Turkish Coast Guard at the time of publication.
Officials stressed that counter-ISIL operations are ongoing domestically and regionally, but added that negotiation channels with allies will continue, particularly in areas tied to border security coordination.