Deadly Raid in Turkey Results in Nine Losses
A severe clash in northwest Turkey resulted in nine fatalities, including six individuals affiliated with the notorious terrorist group, ISIS, and three law enforcement officers. This information was shared by the country's Interior Ministry.
Details of the Operation
The Interior Minister revealed that the security divisions had conducted 108 separate raids in a single night, targeting alleged ISIS hideouts distributed across 13 different districts. The aim was to dismantle the terrorist network and ensure the safety of the public.
One of the operations was carried out in the early hours of the morning in Elmalik, a village in Yalova province. The village, located to the south of Istanbul, witnessed an intense standoff when law enforcement personnel stormed a residential area suspected of housing ISIS operatives.
The encounter turned bloody when the officers were met with gunfire. The exchange resulted in the deaths of three officers and six alleged ISIS members. Eight policemen and a security guard were wounded during the conflict.
Evacuation and Security Measures
In the midst of the conflict, five women and six children were safely escorted away from the area of conflict. This evacuation was carried out to ensure the safety of innocent civilians present in the vicinity.
Special operations personnel from the neighbouring Bursa province were brought in to assist and secure the region. As a result, entry into the surrounding area was temporarily suspended for residents and vehicles. Additionally, a local broadcaster reported that classes were called off at five nearby schools as a safety measure.
Intensified Efforts Against ISIS
The Turkish security forces have been working tirelessly to dismantle the ISIS network in their country. There has been a noticeable increase in operations targeting the group's hidden cells during the holiday period.
Earlier in the week, authorities reported carrying out raids on 124 locations, leading to the arrest of 115 suspected ISIS members. These operations were in response to intelligence reports suggesting that plans were in place to target non-Muslims during the holidays.
The American military has also been active in the region, conducting extensive strikes against ISIS in central and northeastern Syria. Over 70 targets were hit, in response to an attack that led to the deaths of two American soldiers and an interpreter.
Turkey's Expanding Efforts Against ISIS
Turkey, which shares a border with Syria, has been ramping up its efforts to counter ISIS in recent years. After the terrorist group lost control over parts of Iraq and Syria, Turkish authorities reported an influx of ISIS members into their country in 2019.
Prior to this, in March, nearly 300 suspected ISIS members were apprehended in raids conducted across 47 provinces over a two-week period. Between 2013 and 2023, over 19,000 individuals were arrested on suspicion of being affiliated with the group, as reported by the Turkish presidency.