ANKARA: Turkish authorities have apprehended 115 individuals suspected of belonging to Daesh, amid heightened concerns over potential terrorist attacks during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities, according to Istanbul’s prosecutor general.
The prosecutor’s office revealed that it had issued detention orders for a total of 137 suspects, with 115 already in custody, following intelligence reports indicating plans by Daesh to carry out attacks during the holiday period.
Turkey shares a 900-kilometer border with Syria, where various militant groups remain active. Recent security assessments have increased alert levels across the country.
In related developments, the United States recently attributed an attack in Palmyra, Syria, on December 13, to a lone Daesh gunman, which resulted in the deaths of two US service members and an American civilian.
Additionally, Turkish intelligence conducted an operation along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, resulting in the arrest of a Turkish national believed to have held a senior position within Daesh. The suspect, Mehmet Goren, was transferred to Turkey and is accused of orchestrating suicide attacks targeting civilians in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, and European countries.
