25 Daesh suspects held in Istanbul, Ankara

By Halil Demir and Ali Cevahir Akturk

ISTANBUL

At least 25 people, including 20 foreigners were arrested in Istanbul and capital Ankara for alleged links with Daesh terror group Sunday, according to police.

Anti-terrorist police teams raided four addresses in Istanbul’s three districts simultaneously after they were tipped off about of suspects linked to Daesh leaders in Syria and Iraq. A total of 20 Deash suspects, including 15 foreign nationals, were arrested in the raids.

In a separate operation in Ankara, police detained five Daesh suspects -- all foreigners -- in at two addresses in Etimesgut district.

Among the suspects were three Syrians, an Iraqi and a Chechen who had entered the country illegally.

According to the police, the suspects were planning an attack during New Year Eve celebrations in the cities.

Turkish security forces have been involved in a long-running campaign to thwart Daesh attacks. More than 300 people have lost their lives in Daesh-claimed attacks in Turkey, where the terror organization has targeted civilians in suicide bombings, and rocket and gun attacks.

*Cankut Tasdan and Sertac Bulur contributed the story from Ankara