Senior Islamic State figure in custody after Turkish raid
Turkish police detained a top Islamic State figure during a raid in the nation’s southern province of Adana as counterterrorism operations continue against the organization’s networks.
ISTANBUL — A senior Islamic State figure was detained Monday during a police raid in Turkey’s southern province of Adana Monday, according to a statement by Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. Soylu identified the suspect as Mahmut Ozden and alleged he had received orders to carry out an attack in Turkey.
“Daesh’s so-called emir of Turkey was captured and remanded in custody with important plans,” Soylu tweeted Monday, using the Arabic acronym for IS.
Eleven additional suspects were detained during Monday's raids, in which police seized Ozden’s computer and other digital evidence that reportedly indicate the group was receiving orders from Iraq and Syria to conduct attacks within Turkey as well as kidnap Turkish politicians and take them to Syria.
The news comes after a suspected IS member was detained in Istanbul last week while allegedly plotting “a sensational attack” on the city, highlighting the lingering threat posed by the terror group within the country and ongoing counterterrorism operations to prevent future incidents.
