Raids conducted across 21 provinces following deadly Yalova clash

ANKARA: Turkish authorities have detained 357 suspected Islamic State (IS) members in a sweeping nationwide operation, a day after a deadly gunfight with militants highlighted renewed security concerns near Istanbul.

Nationwide Raids Across 21 Provinces

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said police carried out coordinated raids across 21 provinces, targeting individuals allegedly linked to Islamic State.

In a statement posted on social media, Yerlikaya said Türkiye would not allow terrorism to destabilise the country, pledging sustained pressure against militant networks operating within its borders.

Earlier, the Istanbul prosecutor’s office said police raided 114 addresses in Istanbul, along with multiple locations in two other provinces.

Seizure of Digital Evidence

During the raids, authorities seized digital materials and documents, which investigators believe could help uncover broader IS-linked networks and operational structures inside Türkiye.

Officials said the evidence would be analysed to identify facilitators, recruitment channels, and potential future threats.

Deadly Clash in Yalova

The large-scale operation followed an eight-hour siege on Monday at a house in Yalova, a coastal town on the Sea of Marmara south of Istanbul.

During the gunfight, three police officers and six militants were killed, while eight police officers and one additional security personnel were wounded, according to officials.

Authorities said the Yalova location was among more than 100 sites searched during counterterrorism operations carried out on the same day.

Heightened Security Ahead of Holidays

The crackdown comes after Turkish security forces last week detained over 100 suspected IS members over alleged plans to carry out attacks during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Officials said security measures were intensified nationwide as a precaution during the holiday period.

Renewed Focus on Islamic State Threat

Türkiye has stepped up operations against Islamic State this year, citing concerns over the group’s global resurgence. Recent international incidents including US strikes on IS targets in Nigeria and Syria have further heightened alert levels.

Islamic State was responsible for several major attacks in Türkiye nearly a decade ago, including assaults on an Istanbul nightclub and the city’s main airport, which killed dozens.

At the time, Türkiye served as a key transit route for foreign fighters travelling to and from Syria. Authorities say sustained security operations since 2015–2017 have significantly reduced the group’s operational capacity inside the country.