Seven officers injured in Yalova province clash; incident follows last week’s detention of 115 suspects accused of plotting attacks on Christmas and New Year’s events.
ANKARA — Seven Turkish police officers were wounded during a raid on suspected Daesh (Islamic State) militants on Monday, in a clash that underscores Turkey’s ongoing security challenges ahead of the holiday season.
The operation took place in Yalova province, southwest of Istanbul, after police identified a militant hideout, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. When officers moved in, they were met with gunfire, triggering an exchange that left seven personnel injured. None of the wounds were reported as life-threatening. Special forces units from nearby Bursa were deployed to support the operation.
The confrontation follows a broader security sweep last week in which Turkish police detained 115 alleged Daesh members accused of planning attacks targeting Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Authorities stated the group had issued calls for violence against non-Muslims during the holiday period.
Daesh has claimed responsibility for several major attacks in Turkey in recent years, most notably the 2017 New Year’s nightclub shooting in Istanbul that killed 39 people. Turkish security forces have maintained sustained counter-terrorism pressure on the group, though sporadic clashes and arrests point to its continued presence.
Security operations are expected to remain heightened during the holiday period as authorities seek to prevent attacks on public gatherings.
