Turkey Intensifies Campaign Against ISIS to Prevent Surprise Attacks

Turkey has intensified its military campaign targeting ISIS networks within its borders to deliver preemptive strikes aimed at preventing deadly armed attacks similar to recent incidents in the country. This information comes from Turkish security and political sources.

The latest security operations coincide with a series of official statements in recent days that emphasize unprecedentedly the internal security challenges Turkey faces, particularly threats from within, notably from the political and religious group associated with the late Turkish cleric Fethullah Gülen.

On Saturday, Ankara disclosed details of raids conducted across 30 provinces, resulting in the detention of 119 suspects accused of ISIS membership, disseminating propaganda on social media, and providing financial support through so-called relief organizations.

These actions continue a series of campaigns over recent months that have led to the arrest of hundreds suspected of ISIS affiliation, the dismantling of its funding and logistical networks in various Turkish provinces, and the seizure of substantial sums of money.

A source within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) stated that maintaining internal security and preventing terrorist attacks are primary government objectives, occupying a significant portion of its efforts due to emerging indicators of potential internal threats.

The source told "Erem News" that governmental concerns about internal threats stem from ISIS's armed attacks since last year, alongside security reports indicating the group's attempts to rebuild cells inside Turkey by relying on digital platforms for communication and financing to evade detection.

According to the source, the ruling party heavily relies on the security and internal stability agenda in its upcoming election campaign to retain power. It aims to avoid involvement in regional wars to attract voters amid an economic crisis marked by high inflation rates and low wages that do not meet citizens' needs. Consequently, the government seeks to neutralize any internal threat proactively.

In April, Turkey witnessed an attack near the Israeli consulate building in Istanbul, where one member of the attacking cell was killed and two others injured following a confrontation with security forces in broad daylight within the city center, an area under intense security presence.

This attack followed the deaths of six security personnel in two separate armed clashes in İzmir and Yalova during September and December of the previous year. These incidents broke a nearly ten-year period during which ISIS had not carried out deadly attacks.

Such assaults prompted security authorities to launch extensive pursuit campaigns targeting hundreds of members and suspects affiliated with ISIS, leading to the confiscation of various weapons and the prevention of attacks across Turkey in recent months.

Another recent arrest campaign detained approximately one thousand suspects linked to the Gülen movement, indicating that Ankara does not limit the internal threat to ISIS alone but also views the group accused of orchestrating the failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt as a significant danger.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ally, Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli, warned in speeches during the tenth anniversary commemorations of the coup attempt that Turkey remains vulnerable to internal threats.

Turkish political analyst Ali Çınaroğlu explained that since 2024, Turkey has been actively strengthening its internal front and initiated a peace process with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to end the four-decade-long armed conflict.

Çınaroğlu told "Erem News" that the global system is undergoing significant changes, and Turkey seeks an active role within it, aiming for close and balanced international relations. The country fears that opposing states might target it through internal issues, including ISIS, Gülen, and reigniting conflict with the PKK.

He added that internal security gains additional importance for the government, especially with the possibility of early elections. The ruling party aims to secure victory and remain in power through the internal security agenda while avoiding external wars. Meanwhile, the opposition plans to focus on economic issues and low wages to attract voters.

Turkey is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in 2028, but an early election would allow President Erdoğan to run for a third term, as his second term has not yet fully concluded. Early elections also align with the opposition parties' desires, led by the Republican People's Party, which claims to be closer to power than ever before.

Turkey recently released images of the scene from the assassination attempt against Erdoğan that occurred ten years ago.