FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Turkish police detained 13 suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) in an operation in the western port city of Izmir, authorities announced Tuesday.
The Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the operation followed the issuance of arrest warrants for 15 individuals—12 of them Syrian nationals—on allegations of ties to the terrorist organization.
As part of the investigation, the suspects were found to have connections to regional conflict zones, disseminated IS propaganda on social media, and engaged in fundraising activities for the group, the office said.
During simultaneous raids across multiple addresses in Izmir, 13 suspects were apprehended. Efforts to locate the remaining suspects are ongoing.
Police seized 1.36 million Turkish liras (approximately $35,545), gold, and various digital materials during the searches.
Turkey designated IS as a terrorist organization in 2013 and has since faced several attacks by the group. In response, Turkish authorities have conducted extensive counter-terrorism operations within and beyond the country’s borders.