UPDATE - Turkey arrests 20 Daesh/ISIS-linked terror suspects

ADDS MORE DETAIL, CHANGES DECK

By Sertac Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - At least 20 people were arrested Monday in the capital Ankara for their suspected links to the Daesh terrorist organization, also known as ISIS, a security source said.

The suspects, all foreign nationals, were arrested in a joint operation by counter-terrorism units of the provincial police department and the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

They were arrested from their hideouts spread across the city.

They will be referred to the migration office for deportation, the source added.

Turkey recognized Daesh/ISIS as a terrorist organization in 2013.

Since then, Turkey has been attacked by Daesh/ISIS terrorists numerous times, including in 10 suicide bombings, seven bombings, and four armed attacks.

These attacks killed 315 people, including 11 police officers and two soldiers -- and injured 137 civilians, 62 police officers and seven soldiers.

In response to these attacks, Turkey launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad.

In two cross-border military operations in Syria since 2016, Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch, Turkey neutralized 3,500 Daesh/ISIS terrorists and arrested 5,500.

* Writing by Burak Bir