Turkey announced on Thursday that security forces have arrested 115 suspected ISIS militants in a sweeping counter-terror operation aimed at preventing potential attacks tied to Christmas and New Year gatherings.
According to information reported by CNN, the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office stated that the “ISIS Armed Terrorist Organization was planning to carry out actions targeting our country, especially non-Muslim individuals, within the scope of the upcoming Christmas and New Year events.”
The investigations unfolded through 124 coordinated police raids across multiple regions, where authorities reportedly seized firearms, ammunition, and organizational materials believed to be connected to the suspects, as SOFX detailed.
Officials confirmed that 137 warrants were issued as part of the operation, signaling one of the largest pre-holiday anti-terror campaigns in recent years. The arrests come at a time of heightened global security concerns, coinciding with a U.S. strike on ISIS militants in Nigeria.
The development also recalls a traumatic memory from eight years ago, when ISIS staged a deadly New Year’s attack at Istanbul’s Reina nightclub, killing 39 people and prompting long-term counter-terror strategies across Turkey.
The latest operation underscores the nation’s ongoing commitment to preventing extremist attacks and protecting public safety during major seasonal and religious events.
