Turkey has conducted a nationwide sweep leading to the arrest of hundreds of individuals suspected of having links to ISIS, according to multiple media sources.
This mass detention operation, spearheaded by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, spanned across 32 provinces, with the highest number of arrests in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir.
This crackdown comes in the wake of increased activities by armed groups, particularly following a bomb explosion near government buildings in early October.
The surge in operations also aligns with the ongoing war in Gaza, highlighting Turkey's proactive approach in combating terrorism and maintaining national security.
ISIL, known for its brutality and extremist ideology, emerged in the aftermath of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.
The group, which at one point controlled a significant portion of Iraq and Syria, has since lost much of its territory due to concerted efforts by US-backed forces in Syria and Iraq, along with Syrian forces supported by Iran, Russia, and various paramilitaries.
Despite these setbacks, ISIL remains a threat, with elements of the group continuing to launch attacks from remote areas in Syria and Iraq.
Turkey, a target of several deadly bombings since 2015, has been vigilant in its efforts to prevent further attacks.
The country's intelligence and security forces have been actively engaged in neutralizing threats, as evidenced by the recent operation announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which resulted in the killing of ISIL's suspected leader, Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi.
Additionally, Ankara has also directed its focus on the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), an organization considered a terrorist group by Turkey and several other countries. The PKK was responsible for a bomb detonation near Turkish government buildings in Ankara on October 1.
Interior Minister Yerlikaya emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to combat terrorism, stating, "For the peace and unity of our people, we will not allow any terrorists to open their eyes."
This statement underlines Turkey's resolve to maintain national security and safeguard its citizens against any form of terrorist threat.
