SouthernWorldwide.com – Turkish authorities have detained over 200 individuals, including suspected ISIS militants, in a widespread raid conducted in the capital, Ankara. This operation occurred just ahead of a significant NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8.
The raids followed the issuance of detention orders for 241 suspects. Out of this number, 209 were apprehended, as reported by The Associated Press, citing information from the office of Turkey’s chief prosecutor.
Among those detained, 56 are alleged to be ISIS militants. This action comes as Turkish authorities previously announced the detention of 125 ISIS members in December.
These detention operations are taking place a mere two weeks before the NATO summit is set to convene in Ankara on July 7. President Donald Trump is expected to be in attendance at this important gathering.
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The detentions also included 35 alleged members of the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front. According to a Turkish statement, this group is characterized as a “far-left organization known for armed attacks and assassinations in Turkey.”
These operations against ISIS militants underscore the persistent activity of the terrorist group in the region. It highlights that ISIS continues to operate despite the U.S. campaign during Trump’s first term aimed at dismantling the group’s caliphate and its territorial control in the Middle East.
In recent years, ISIS has expanded its presence into the African continent, prompting a robust response from the United States. In May, Trump authorized a series of strikes in Nigeria specifically to combat the group’s activities.
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A strike on May 16 resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who was identified as the group’s global second-in-command.
Trump commented on the strike via Truth Social, stating, “Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing. He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.”
The renewed activity of the group also includes calls to its supporters to carry out attacks on U.S. soil, particularly during the period of the World Cup.
