Turkish officials claim to have stopped planned attacks on Christmas and New Year’s celebrations after detaining over 100 alleged members of the so-called Islamic State group.
Firearms, ammo, and “organizational documents” were taken during widespread raids at 124 homes throughout Istanbul, according to the chief prosecutor of the city.
IS sympathizers have been actively preparing assaults around Turkey this week, especially against non-Muslims, according to officials.
According to an official statement, police have captured 115 individuals, but they are still looking for another 22.
The prosecutor’s office source said, the accused communicated with IS agents outside of Turkey.
The announcement was made two days after Turkish intelligence officers raided the group along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
An alleged senior member of the IS branch working in the area, a Turkish national, was arrested and charged with organizing assaults on civilians.
People suspected of having ties to IS are frequently targeted by Turkey’s security agencies.
The gang still operates in several areas of Syria which borders the country by 900 kilometers (560 miles).
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the president of Syria and a close associate of the Turkish government, has pledged to collaborate with the United States and Europe to eradicate any remaining IS elements.
In reaction to the deaths of three Americans, the US launched a barrage of airstrikes against the group’s positions throughout Syria on Friday.