Turkiye arrests 115 ISIL suspects it says planned holiday attacks

Raids across Istanbul seize weapons as authorities seek 22 remaining suspects still at large.Published On 25 Dec 2025Turkish security forces have disrupted planned attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations after arresting more than 100 suspected ISIL (ISIS) operatives in Istanbul, officials said.Authorities conducted raids across 124 locations on Thursday, apprehending 115 suspects they were seeking, the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office said in a statement.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2Syria says key ISIL leader captured near Damascuslist 2 of 2Aleppo clashes expose hurdles in SDF’s integration into Syrian armyend of listThe operation came after police received intelligence that ISIL members were “planning attacks in Turkiye against non-Muslims in particular”, during the holiday period, it added.Officers seized firearms, ammunition and what officials described as organisational documents during the sweeps.Efforts are continuing to locate the remaining 22 suspects.That sweep, coordinated between intelligence services, police and military forces, netted individuals involved in financing the group’s activities and spreading its propaganda.The prosecutor’s office said those arrested were in contact with ISIL operatives outside Turkiye, underscoring the transnational nature of the threat.The arrests mark the latest phase in Turkiye’s efforts against the armed group, which officials regard as the country’s second-most serious “terrorism” threat.Turkiye has emerged as a primary target for ISIL activity given its geography and demographics. The country shares a long border with Syria, where the armed group maintains a presence despite losing its territorial holdings in 2019.The group has since been expanding in central Asia and has new affiliates across Africa.