Turkey foils Daesh plot targeting New Year’s Eve celebrations in Istanbul

• Turkish forces raided 124 locations in Istanbul over alleged Daesh plans to attack during Christmas and New Year.
• Weapons were seized and investigations into the group’s financing continue as authorities raise holiday security.

Turkish security forces carried out a large-scale operation Thursday targeting Daesh cells in Istanbul, detaining 115 suspects across the city, according to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The operation followed intelligence indicating plans by the group to carry out attacks during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Authorities said raids were conducted at 124 locations to dismantle cells accused of inciting violence.

Coordinated raids and seizures

The prosecutor’s office said the raids were carried out simultaneously in response to calls by the group to launch attacks. Security forces seized handguns, ammunition, flares, and organizational documents that allegedly reveal links between some of the detainees and international conflict zones.

Arrest warrants had been issued for 137 suspects. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining individuals wanted on domestic and international terrorism-related charges.

Financial network under investigation

In a separate development, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for ten people as part of an investigation into the group’s financial networks.

Reports by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) indicated the use of bank accounts to provide financial support to Daesh members and their families in Syria. Authorities said the funds were transferred under the guise of religious donations, prompting counterterrorism units to move to cut off these financing channels.

Heightened security warnings

The operations come after a security warning issued by the gendarmerie on December 19, cautioning against the risk of coordinated attacks using car bombs or drones in tourist areas and shopping centers.

Turkish authorities said the preventive measures aim to avoid a repeat of past attacks, including the Reina nightclub attack on New Year’s Day 2017 and the Ankara bombings in 2015, stressing heightened security to protect civilians and public institutions during the holiday period.