Turkish authorities have detained 115 people suspected of belonging to the Islamic State group and planning attacks during Christmas and New Year celebrations, according to a statement released on Thursday by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecutor’s office said Istanbul police received intelligence indicating that Islamic State members were preparing attacks in Turkey, particularly targeting non-Muslim communities, during the upcoming holiday period. The information was shared in a post on the prosecutor’s official account on X.
Following the intelligence assessment, police carried out coordinated raids at 124 locations across Istanbul. During the operations, officers detained 115 of the 137 suspects who had been identified as part of the investigation. Authorities said several pistols and quantities of ammunition were seized during the searches.
The statement did not provide further details about the specific nature or timing of the alleged planned attacks, nor did it say whether additional arrests were expected.
Istanbul has previously experienced attacks targeting non-Muslim communities. On Sunday, members of the Jewish community were assaulted while travelling to the Neve Shalom Synagogue to light Hanukkah candles. The synagogue has been targeted in multiple terrorist attacks in the past, including a deadly assault in 1986 that killed 22 people, as well as truck bombings in 2003.
Separately, Islamic State has been linked by authorities and analysts to a recent attack at Bondi Beach in Australia. The group described that attack as a “source of pride,” and investigators have said the two attackers involved had ties to the organisation.
Turkish security forces have intensified counterterrorism operations in recent years, frequently announcing arrests of suspected Islamic State members as part of efforts to prevent attacks and disrupt militant networks operating in the country.