Turkish security forces have apprehended 29 individuals across Istanbul in a sweeping counterterrorism operation targeting alleged Daesh (ISIS) propaganda networks, authorities announced Wednesday. The operation comes in the wake of a deadly incident in Yalova, a northwestern province of Türkiye.

According to a statement released by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on social media platform X, investigators identified 28 suspects accused of disseminating Daesh propaganda online. An additional suspect was detained on suspicion of active participation in the terrorist organization.

The operation involved coordinated raids at 29 separate locations throughout Istanbul. Law enforcement officials successfully detained all targeted individuals and seized substantial evidence during searches of the suspects’ homes, including three handguns, ammunition, digital materials, and what authorities described as “organizational documents.”

“The investigation is directly connected to Monday’s deadly incident in Yalova,” the prosecutor’s office confirmed, though specific details about the Yalova attack were not provided in the statement. Officials emphasized their “unflagging resolve” to continue combating all terrorist organizations operating within Turkish borders.

This latest crackdown highlights Türkiye’s ongoing struggle against Daesh, which has targeted the country numerous times in recent years. The terror group has been responsible for several high-profile attacks in Turkish cities, particularly between 2015 and 2017, when bombings in Istanbul, Ankara, and other major centers claimed dozens of lives.

Since 2016, Turkish security forces have intensified counterterrorism operations against Daesh networks, conducting regular raids across the country’s 81 provinces. The Interior Ministry frequently reports on operations dismantling Daesh cells, particularly in border regions and major metropolitan areas where the group has attempted to establish recruitment and propaganda networks.

Türkiye’s position as a gateway between Europe and conflict zones in Syria and Iraq has made it both a target for extremist groups and a transit route for foreign fighters. In response, the country has strengthened border security and intelligence operations, while also participating in international coalitions against the terrorist organization.

The prosecutor’s reference to the Yalova incident suggests authorities are concerned about potential copycat attacks or inspired violence following Monday’s events. Turkish security analysts note that online propaganda continues to play a critical role in Daesh’s strategy to radicalize individuals and inspire lone-wolf attacks, even as the group has lost territorial control in Syria and Iraq.

Digital evidence seized during Wednesday’s operation will likely provide intelligence services with valuable information about recruitment patterns, propaganda methods, and potential future threats. Turkish cybersecurity units have increasingly focused on monitoring social media platforms for extremist content, working in conjunction with international partners to identify and disrupt online terrorist networks.

Legal proceedings against the detained suspects will begin following initial interrogations. Under Turkish counterterrorism laws, individuals found guilty of terrorist propaganda can face several years in prison, while active membership in a terrorist organization carries significantly harsher sentences.

The Istanbul operation demonstrates the continued threat posed by Daesh in Türkiye despite the group’s territorial defeats in neighboring countries. Security experts emphasize that dismantling propaganda networks remains crucial to preventing radicalization and future attacks on Turkish soil.

Turkish authorities have pledged to maintain pressure on all terrorist organizations operating within the country’s borders, including Daesh, PKK, and other extremist groups that pose threats to national security.