ISTANBUL: Turkish security forces detained 32 suspects on Friday over alleged links with the militant Islamic State (IS) group, accusing them of planning attacks on churches and synagogues as well as the Iraqi embassy.

The Turkish Intelligence Organisation (MIT) and police carried out dawn raids in nine cities, including Istanbul and the capital Ankara, against the IS, the source said.

Three of the suspects were allegedly senior members of the extremist group.

The operation foiled the planned attacks on “synagogues and churches in Turkiye” as well the Iraqi embassy in Ankara, the source added.

Over the past months, Turkiye has intensified operations against IS.

Last week, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said police detained 304 suspects in 32 cities allegedly affiliated with the group.

IS extremists have carried out a string of attacks on Turkish soil, including against a nightclub in Istanbul in 2017 that left 39 people dead.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2023