Turkey Detains 357 Suspected IS Members in Countrywide Raids After Deadly Yalova Siege
December 30, 2025
Turkey has detained 357 suspected Islamic State (IS) members in widespread raids across 21 provinces. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the arrests came from coordinated police operations on Tuesday morning. The raids followed a deadly eight-hour siege in Yalova, a northwestern town, where three police officers and six alleged militants died. Eight officers and a security member were injured.
Less than a week ago, 115 more suspects were arrested for planning attacks on non-Muslims during Christmas and New Year's. Tuesday's operations covered Ankara, Istanbul, and Yalova among other areas. Yerlikaya stated, "Just as we have never given an opportunity to those who try to bring this country to its knees with terrorism, we will never give them an opportunity in the future either."
Video shared by the interior minister showed counter-terrorism officers detaining suspects. In Istanbul and two other provinces, 110 people were arrested with weapons like knives and bullets seized. Istanbul prosecutors warned some suspects might attack on New Year's Day. Out of those detained, 41 possibly had links to the Yalova clash. Sixteen others in Yalova were caught for "provocative posts" on social media.
The three fallen officers were named İlker Pehlivan, Turgut Külünk, and Yasin Koçyiğit. Their funerals took place Tuesday. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences and said Turkey will continue fighting the "bloodthirsty criminals who threaten the peace of our nation and the security of our state."
Turkey frequently targets IS suspects due to its 900km border with Syria, where IS remains active. Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa has pledged to work with the US and Europe to eliminate IS cells. Recently, the US launched air strikes in Syria following an IS ambush that killed three Americans, including two soldiers and a civilian interpreter.
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Tags:
Turkey
Islamic State
Is Arrests
Terror Raids
Yalova Siege
Counter-terrorism
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