UMVA has learned that Turkish authorities launched a massive crackdown in the capital city of Ankara on Tuesday, detaining over 200 people, including suspected ISIS-linked militants, just days before a high-stakes NATO summit.
The sweeping raid resulted in the detention of 209 suspects, out of 241 issued detention orders, with 56 allegedly being ISIS militants. This recent operation comes on the heels of a similar crackdown in December, where Turkish authorities detained 125 ISIS members.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the detained individuals also included 35 alleged members of the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front, a far-left group known for armed attacks and assassinations in Turkey. The detention operations have sent a strong message about Turkey's commitment to combating terrorism.
The ISIS-combating operations demonstrate the terrorist group's ongoing activity in the region, showing the group is still functioning despite efforts to eliminate its caliphate and control of large swaths of territory. In recent years, ISIS has spread into the African continent, prompting a strong response from the U.S.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the U.S. has been actively working to counter ISIS in Africa, with a series of strikes in Nigeria, including a May 16 strike that killed ISIS leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the group's second-in-command globally. The operation was a significant blow to the group, with President Trump stating that al-Minuki thought he could hide in Africa but was ultimately tracked down.
The group's renewed activity also includes a call to supporters to make attacks on U.S. soil during the World Cup, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by ISIS. As the NATO summit approaches, Turkish authorities remain vigilant, having detained a significant number of suspects in recent months.
