16 Daesh-linked suspects arrested in Turkish capital

By Mumin Altas and Cankut Tasdan

ANKARA (AA) – Sixteen suspects accused of being founding members of a union supporting Daesh terrorist group were arrested in capital Ankara on Thursday, according to a security source.

The union was allegedly supporting Daesh members who were providing out-of-school education illegally to 23 children -- between the ages of 5 and 17; all of the children were not enrolled in any state school of the country, the source, who asked not to be named due to the restrictions on talking to the media, said.

During the operation in Etimesgut district, many digital materials, student reports bearing the emblem and seal of the terror group, and books and documents of the terror group were also seized.

Legal action against families who willingly sent their children to the terror group for indoctrination have begun, the source added.

More than 300 people have lost their lives in Daesh-claimed attacks in Turkey so far, where the terror organization has targeted civilians in suicide bomb, rocket and gun attacks.

Turkish security forces have been involved in a long-running campaign to thwart Daesh attacks.