ISTANBUL 

As part of Istanbul-based counter-terrorism operations across five provinces of Turkey, at least 16 people on Friday were arrested over their suspected links to the far-left DHKP-C terror group.

Turkish security forces began simultaneous operations across five provinces in the country after Istanbul prosecutors issued warrants for 27 suspects for their alleged links to the DHKP-C, said the Istanbul Security Directorate.

The suspects are accused of being senior DHKP-C members and seeking "high-profile actions" to "raise the motivation of terror group members".

While 16 of the suspects were arrested by security teams, a search for the remaining 11 suspects is underway.

Police also seized various digital materials and documents related to the terror group.

The DHKP-C is responsible for a number of terror attacks in Turkey, including a 2013 attack on the US Embassy in Ankara which martyred a Turkish security guard.

The group is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU.

* Writing by Merve Aydogan in Ankara