Image: from Ceyhun YÜKSEL X@ceyhunyuksel07
By Open Chronicle Editorial Team | December 30, 2025
Turkish security forces have successfully dismantled a major terror network planning a wave of attacks during the upcoming New Year’s celebrations. On Tuesday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the arrest of 357 Daesh terror suspects in a massive, coordinated counterterrorism operation spanning 21 provinces.
Simultaneous Raids and Global Coordination
The operation, conducted in coordination with provincial police units, the Chief Public Prosecutors’ Offices, and intelligence departments, was a decisive strike against the terror group’s remnants in the region. Minister Yerlikaya broke the news on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, emphasizing that Türkiye remains vigilant and will show “no tolerance towards terrorism.”
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Scope of the Operation: Simultaneous raids across 21 provinces.
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Istanbul Focus: The metropolis saw the highest concentration of arrests, with 110 suspects taken into custody by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
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Ankara Crackdown: Authorities in the capital issued warrants for 17 suspects, including 11 foreign nationals linked to active conflict zones.
Türkiye genelinde 21 ilde eş zamanlı DEAŞ operasyonu düzenlendi
357 DEAŞ şüphelisi yakalandı.
Devletimizin Yanındayız🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/DZdfYAnSC3
— P. AYnur. İNCE 🇹🇷 (@__pErvIN__) December 30, 2025
The Yalova Connection and the New Year’s Plot
Authorities revealed that the sweep was directly linked to a violent confrontation on Monday in Yalova province, where security forces killed six Daesh terrorists during a high-stakes counterterrorism operation.
According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, 41 of the suspects arrested in Istanbul were directly linked to the Yalova cell. Intelligence gathered from seized digital materials indicated that these individuals were planning a series of attacks in Istanbul during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, mirroring the scale of the Yalova incident.
“The Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau identified the suspects through exhaustive analysis of digital materials seized during previous investigations, exposing their contact with conflict zones.” — Statement from Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office
Security Measures and Digital Forensics
The arrests were made possible by sophisticated digital forensics. By analyzing materials captured in previous raids, investigators were able to map out the network’s communication with foreign conflict zones and track the movement of “sleeper cells” within the country.
Breakdown of Key Arrest Data
| Location | Suspects Arrested | Key Details |
| Nationwide Total | 357 | Simultaneous raids across 21 provinces. |
| Istanbul | 110 | 41 linked to the Yalova incident; plots targeting New Year’s Eve were foiled. |
| Ankara | 17 | Includes 11 foreign nationals with documented ties to international conflict zones. |
| Yalova (Monday) | 6 (Killed) | Targeted operation that served as the primary catalyst for the nationwide sweep. |
A Heightened State of Alert
As Türkiye prepares to ring in 2026, the successful thwarting of this plot underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region. With the US trade tariffs causing economic ripples and the Yemen conflict escalating nearby, the Turkish government has prioritized domestic stability and security. Minister Yerlikaya’s announcement serves as a stern reminder that the state’s counterterrorism apparatus is operating at full capacity to protect civilians during the holiday season.