The operation was coordinated by the Directorate General of Security Intelligence and Anti-Terrorism Department. Provincial Security Directorates in Adana, Adıyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Antalya, Bingöl, Bitlis, Bolu, Bursa, Çorum, Diyarbakır, Düzce, Eskişehir, İstanbul, Gaziantep, İzmir, Karabük, Kayseri, Kırıkkale, Elâzığ, Kırşehir, Kilis, Kocaeli, Konya, Kütahya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Muğla, Sakarya, Samsun, Şanlıurfa and Yalova participated in the raids.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 147 suspects were captured in the operation. He stated that the suspects were involved in various ISIS-related activities, including recruitment, financing, and planning attacks.
The operation comes as Turkey continues to crack down on ISIS cells within its borders. In recent months, Turkish authorities have arrested hundreds of suspected ISIS members and thwarted several planned attacks.
ISIS has been responsible for several high-profile attacks in the country, including the 2016 Reina nightclub attack in Istanbul that killed 39 people.
The arrest of 147 ISIS suspects in a single operation is a significant victory for Turkish authorities. It demonstrates the country's commitment to combating outlawed armed groups and protecting its citizens.
The operation also sends a message to ISIS that Türkiye will not tolerate its presence within its borders.
Turkish authorities are likely to continue their crackdown on ISIS cells in the country. They are also likely to increase cooperation with other countries in the fight against the group. (ILKHA)