Three police officers were killed early Monday (December 29) in an operation in Turkey’s northwestern city of Yalova.
 |
| Three Turkish police dead following anti-ISIS operation in Yalova Three Turkish police dead following anti-ISIS operation in Yalova Three Turkish police dead following anti-ISIS operation in Yalova Turkish intelligence officials had reportedly received tips in mid-December indicating that ISIS was planning terrorist attacks in crowded areas of major cities across the country to coincide with the Christmas – New Year period. Following these tips, authorities organized raids across Turkey in which around 115 suspected ISIS conspirators were detained. In the raids, officials confiscated weapons, explosives, and documents related to the planned attacks. On December 13th, ISIS carried out attacks on American military targets in Palmyra, Syria in which two US service members were killed. The December 14th terror attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia has also been alleged to be ISIS-linked, according to an announcement by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. |
Eight police officers were injured in the operation, along with one security guard, according to an announcement midday Monday by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The operation also killed six ISIS operatives.
A previous announcement by the Yalova Governor had indicated that seven police officers had been injured. Five schools in the district announced a temporary suspension of classes.
Another announcement by Turkey’s Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç indicated that five individuals had been detained in the operation.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered his condolences in a Twitter post Tuesday.
Operation followed warnings of looming ISIS attacks
Turkish intelligence officials had reportedly received tips in mid-December indicating that ISIS was planning terrorist attacks in crowded areas of major cities across the country to coincide with the Christmas – New Year period.
Following these tips, authorities organized raids across Turkey in which around 115 suspected ISIS conspirators were detained. In the raids, officials confiscated weapons, explosives, and documents related to the planned attacks.
On December 13th, ISIS carried out attacks on American military targets in Palmyra, Syria in which two US service members were killed. The December 14th terror attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia has also been alleged to be ISIS-linked, according to an announcement by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
