December 21, 2017•Update: December 21, 2017
ISTANBUL
At least 62 people have been arrested for their suspected links to Daesh during counterterrorism operations across Turkey, a police source said on Thursday.
Anti-terror squads conducted simultaneous operations at 12 locations in seven districts of Istanbul apprehending 45 foreigners who were allegedly planning to carry out an attack, the source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.
During the raid, police also seized a number of documents and digital tools.
Separately, police rounded up 10 Daesh suspects in the western Izmir province during simultaneous operations in the city.
The arrests came after Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants for 11 suspects.
Security forces arrested two Syrian nationals in western Bursa province and three Syrian and two Iraqi nationals in southern Kahramanmaras province over suspected links to Daesh, said police sources requesting anonymity due to restriction on speaking to the media.
More than 300 people have lost their lives in Daesh-claimed attacks in Turkey so far, where the terror organization has targeted civilians in suicide bombs, rocket and gun attacks.
Turkish security forces have been involved in a long-running campaign to thwart Daesh attacks.
Reporing by Halil Demir:Writing by Nilay Kar
