Mirac Kaya
27 January 2021•Update: 27 January 2021
BALIKESIR, Turkey
At least 126 people with suspected links to the Daesh terror group, also known as ISIS, were arrested in a large-scale operation in Turkey, a security source said on Wednesday.
Prosecutors in the northwestern Balikesir province issued arrest warrants for 148 suspects as part of a probe against the terror group, said the source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
With the warrants issued, a Balikesir-based operation spreading to 57 more provinces was launched by gendarmerie, including its anti-terror teams and intelligence officers.
In the operation carried out simultaneously, at least 126 suspects, who were alleged to have links to Daesh/ISIS and provide financial support to the terror group, were arrested, the source added.
Many organizational documents, arms, cash, and notebook including money transfers were seized during the operation.
Efforts are ongoing to nab remaining 22 suspects.
Turkey was one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS as a terror group in 2013.
The country has since been attacked by the group's terrorists multiple times. The terror group has carried out at least 10 suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks, and four armed attacks, killing 315 people and injuring hundreds more.
In response, Turkey launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks.
