Turkish security forces arrested 115 suspects linked to the ISIS terrorist organisation accused of planning several attacks during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s celebrations in Istanbul, security sources said on 25 December. The detainees were allegedly planning multiple attacks in Turkey’s major cities, especially targeting non-Muslims.
According to Turkish daily Cumhuriyet, the Istanbul prosecutor’s office and police informed that, according to intelligence reports, ISIS/Daesh plans were detected to carry out terrorist acts to coincide with Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations, including possible attacks specifically targeting non-Muslim citizens in the country.
The authorities subsequently issued arrest warrants for 137 suspects allegedly linked to the terrorist organisation, some of whom were already wanted for domestic and international terrorism offences. Security forces carried out simultaneous raids at 124 locations in Istanbul, where ISIS firearms, ammunition and documentation were seized. In the end, 115 people were arrested, while the rest continue to be sought by security forces.
“Information was received indicating that the armed terrorist organisation ISIS was planning attacks against our country, mainly against non-Muslims, in the framework of the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations… 115 of the suspects have been arrested, and operations are continuing to locate the remaining ones. More information will be provided as there are new developments,” the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced in a statement.
Terrorist threat alert in Istanbul and Ankara
According to an internal memo from the Ankara Provincial Gendarmerie Command dated 19 December, the contents of which were reported by the daily Cumhuriyet, Turkish security forces have been alerted about a possible ISIS terrorist attack. The document identified Ankara and Istanbul as possible scenarios and warned of plans to carry out simultaneous attacks in crowded areas using explosive-laden vehicles in the coming days, especially coinciding with the New Year celebrations.
While specific warnings were issued for shopping centres and public markets, the report indicated that terrorist attacks could be carried out in a variety of ways, including armed attacks, suicide bombings, car bombings, drone attacks or even the use of vehicles against crowds in crowded or tourist areas.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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