DID Press: 3 Turkish police officers were killed and 9 others injured during a counterterrorism operation against suspected Islamic State (ISIS) members in Yalova province, Turkish authorities said.
The clash occurred early Monday morning when security forces raided a house in the village of Elmalik, about nine kilometers from the center of Yalova in northwestern Turkey. The location was suspected of sheltering ISIS members.
According to officials, the operation began at around 3 a.m. local time. Suspects inside the house opened fire as police approached, triggering a gun battle.
Authorities said six ISIS members were killed in the exchange of fire. All injured officers were transferred to Yalova Training and Research Hospital, and local officials said their injuries were not life-threatening.
As of publication, it remained unclear whether additional suspects were wounded or arrested. Turkey’s media watchdog has imposed a temporary broadcast restriction, instructing outlets to rely solely on official statements.
The operation comes amid heightened security measures ahead of New Year celebrations. Earlier, on December 25, Istanbul police detained 115 people suspected of ISIS links during raids at 124 locations across the city. The arrests followed intelligence reports indicating possible plans by the group to carry out attacks during Christmas and New Year festivities.
In that operation, arrest warrants were issued for 137 suspects, and police seized weapons, ammunition and organizational documents linked to ISIS. Efforts to apprehend the remaining 22 suspects are ongoing.
Separately, Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization said it detained Mohammed Goran, also known by the alias “Yahya,” on December 22 in the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan and transferred him to Turkey.