Turkish Authorities Detain 125 Daesh Suspects in Nationwide Security Operation

Turkish security forces detained 125 suspected members of the Daesh terrorist organization in coordinated raids across 25 provinces on Wednesday morning, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced.

“Those who target our brotherhood, our unity, our togetherness, those who try to exploit our faith, and those who attack our values will see only the might of our state and the unity of our nation,” Yerlikaya stated on his social media account, where he also shared footage of the operations.

The sweeping security action was conducted by provincial gendarmerie commands and security directorates under the coordination of the Gendarmerie General Command and General Directorate of Security. The operations spanned the country, taking place in Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Aydin, Bursa, Eskisehir, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Mardin, Mersin, Usak, Istanbul, Nigde, Sakarya, Kastamonu, Kocaeli, Hakkari, Osmaniye, Izmir, Igdir, Nevsehir, Erzurum, Denizli, Kırklareli, Sanliurfa, and Yalova.

In Istanbul alone, 29 suspects were detained in operations targeting the terrorist group. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office revealed that 28 of these individuals were apprehended for spreading terrorist propaganda on social media following a recent attack in Yalova province that resulted in the deaths of three police officers. One additional suspect was detained for actively participating in the terrorist organization.

“All suspects have been apprehended. In searches conducted at the suspects’ addresses, three pistols, ammunition, and numerous digital materials and organizational documents were seized,” the prosecutor’s office said in its statement, adding that they would “continue the fight against all terrorist organizations with determination and resolve.”

The Istanbul operation was carried out by the Counter-Terrorism Branch under instructions from the Terrorism Crimes Investigation Bureau, targeting 29 separate addresses throughout the city.

Wednesday’s nationwide raids follow a significant counter-terrorism incident that occurred on December 29 in Yalova province. During that operation, three police officers were killed when terrorists opened fire on security personnel. Interior Minister Yerlikaya reported that six Daesh terrorists were killed in the ensuing clashes, while five women and six children were safely evacuated from the building.

The Yalova incident prompted immediate action from Turkish security forces. On December 30, just one day before the current operation, authorities conducted simultaneous raids across 21 provinces, resulting in the detention of 357 Daesh suspects.

Security analysts note that the recent intensification of anti-Daesh operations comes amid intelligence indicating the terrorist organization was preparing attacks during the New Year and Christmas holiday period, a time when public gatherings and celebrations potentially create vulnerable targets.

Turkey has been combating Daesh both domestically and in cross-border operations for years. The country, which shares borders with conflict zones in Syria and Iraq where the terrorist group once held significant territory, has frequently been targeted by Daesh-linked attacks.

The timing of these operations, occurring in the final days of 2025, demonstrates Turkish authorities’ commitment to disrupting potential terrorist plots before the year-end celebrations. This heightened security posture reflects ongoing concerns about Daesh’s attempts to regroup and conduct attacks despite the territorial losses the organization has suffered in recent years.

Turkish security forces continue to maintain vigilance against terrorist threats, particularly in urban centers and border regions where Daesh cells might attempt to establish a presence or plan operations.