Operation Targets IS Militants Across 15 Provinces
Islamic State militants clashed with police in northwest Turkey on Monday. The fighting killed six militants and three police officers. Eight other officers and a night guard were wounded. The incident occurred in Elmali district, Yalova province, south of Istanbul, when police stormed a house where the militants were hiding.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the Yalova raid was one of more than 100 simultaneous operations against IS suspects across 15 provinces. Special forces from neighboring Bursa province were sent to reinforce the operation.
Evacuations and Precautions
The raid required careful planning because women and children were inside the house. Authorities safely evacuated five women and six children. All militants involved were Turkish nationals.
The operation started around 2 a.m. local time and ended at 9:40 a.m. As the clash spilled into the streets, officials closed five schools in the area. They also cut off gas and electricity and blocked civilians and vehicles from entering the neighborhood.
Background on IS Activity in Turkey
Last week, police carried out numerous raids, detaining 115 IS militants. Officials said these suspects had been planning attacks during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, targeting non-Muslims in particular.
IS has a history of deadly attacks in Turkey, including the 2017 Istanbul nightclub shooting on New Year’s, which killed 39 people.
