Islamic State planning attack on Christmas, says Turkey after arresting 115 suspected terrorists

Turkish authorities have detained more than a hundred people suspected of links to the Islamic State as part of nationwide security operations aimed at preventing planned attacks during the Christmas and New Year festivities. Officials said the arrests were made after intelligence indicated that the extremists were preparing assaults targeting non-Muslim communities in Türkiye.

Large-scale raids in Istanbul

The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office announced on Thursday that police carried out simultaneous raids across the city after receiving credible information about planned terrorist activities. The operations covered 124 different locations, leading to the detention of 115 suspects out of 137 individuals wanted for questioning. The raids were conducted by the counterterrorism units of Istanbul Police, who seized a number of firearms, including pistols and ammunition, during the searches.

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Planned attacks on festive gatherings

Authorities believe the suspects were intending to strike crowded places and worship sites during Christmas and New Year celebrations. According to official sources, the potential targets included areas frequented by foreign residents and tourists. The police reaffirmed that Türkiye remains committed to thwarting all attempts by terrorist groups to disrupt public safety and religious harmony during the country’s festive season.

Heightened security measures

Security forces have increased patrols across major Turkish cities, particularly in Istanbul and Ankara, to monitor public gatherings and ensure the safety of citizens and visitors. The Ministry of Interior has directed law enforcement to remain on full alert through the New Year period.

The government emphasised that the crackdown was part of the ongoing efforts to dismantle sleeper cells operating within its borders and to curb extremist threats following a series of past terror attacks claimed by the Islamic State.