Turkey detains 324 suspects in anti-Daesh raids across 47 provinces

Turkish authorities detained 324 suspects in coordinated operations targeting the Daesh terrorist group across 47 provinces, the Interior Ministry announced on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

According to a ministry statement, the raids were conducted in coordination with the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), police units and public prosecutors. Operations took place in several major cities, including Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir.

The suspects included individuals wanted by security forces, people accused of providing financial support to the terrorist group, and others alleged to have previously operated within group networks, authorities said.

Security forces seized one handgun, four rifles, 122 rounds of ammunition, digital materials, and financial assets worth TL 9.67 million (approximately $214,000).

Turkey declared Daesh a terrorist group in 2013 and considers it one of the biggest threats to the country's security and peace, as the group faces nationwide raids. Officials said counterterrorism operations targeting Daesh networks and financing structures will continue across the country.

The latest sweep follows a series of incidents linked to the group. On April 7, suspected Daesh members fired at police officers near a building housing the Israeli Consulate. One assailant was killed, and two others were injured in the ensuing shootout, while two police officers were slightly injured. Although Daesh was not officially named as behind the attack, authorities subsequently launched a nationwide sweep against the terrorist group and detained dozens of suspects. Last December, Daesh members killed three Turkish police officers during an operation targeting a house where suspects resided in the northwestern city of Yalova.