Turkiye arrests 125 ISIL suspects in new raids that mark widening crackdown

Turkish authorities arrested 125 ISIL suspects across 25 provinces, including Ankara, on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, as part of a widening crackdown against the group. The operation follows a series of clashes and attacks linked to ISIL, suggesting a resurgence in their regional activity. This is the third operation of its kind in less than a week, prompted by intelligence indicating planned attacks against non-Muslims during the holiday season. A shootout on Tuesday in Yalova resulted in the deaths of three Turkish police and six suspected ISIL members, all Turkish nationals. Turkish forces have intensified operations against ISIL sleeper cells during the holiday period, a time when the group has previously staged attacks in the country.

On December 29, 2025, a raid on an alleged ISIL hideout in Elmalik village, Yalova province, Turkiye, resulted in a shootout that killed six ISIL fighters and three police officers. The raid was part of 108 overnight operations targeting suspected ISIL cells across 13 provinces, according to the Turkish Interior Ministry. Eight police officers and one night watchman were also wounded during the operation. Five women and six children were safely evacuated from the targeted home. Turkish security forces have intensified operations against ISIL, after receiving intelligence that operatives were planning attacks against non-Muslims during the holiday period.

Turkish authorities arrested 115 suspected ISIL (ISIS) operatives in Istanbul on December 25, 2025, disrupting planned attacks targeting non-Muslims during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Raids were conducted across 124 locations in Istanbul following intelligence reports of planned attacks. Authorities seized firearms, ammunition, and organizational documents during the operation. The suspects were reportedly in contact with ISIL operatives outside of Turkiye. Security forces are continuing efforts to locate the remaining 22 suspects. Turkiye considers ISIL a major terrorism threat due to its location bordering Syria, where the group maintains a presence.

Turkish authorities arrested 115 suspected Islamic State (IS) members in raids across Istanbul, disrupting planned attacks targeting Christmas and New Year's events. The suspects, who were allegedly planning attacks against non-Muslims and were in contact with IS operatives abroad, were apprehended at 124 addresses where firearms, ammunition, and organizational documents were seized. The announcement follows a Turkish intelligence raid on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where a Turkish national allegedly holding a senior IS role was detained for planning attacks against civilians. These actions are part of Turkey's ongoing efforts to target individuals with suspected links to IS, particularly given its proximity to Syria, where the group maintains a presence. The US has also launched airstrikes against IS positions in Syria following the killing of three Americans by IS gunmen.