UPDATE - Turkey arrests 61 Daesh-linked suspects

UPDATES WITH MORE ARRESTS

By Fahrettin Gok and Ugur Ulu

ERZURUM, Turkey (AA) - Turkish police arrested at least 61 Daesh-linked terror suspects in eastern Erzurum and northwestern Bursa provinces on Sunday, security officials said.

In Erzurum, 22 suspects, including senior members of Daesh were arrested as part of the investigation against the terrorist group carried out by Erzurum Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media, told Anadolu Agency.

Teams from the police’s counter-terrorism branch carried out operations against the people reportedly linked to Daesh in the central, Yakutiye, Palandoken and Aziziye districts, the official said.

Additionally, the police seized several weapons including two unlicensed guns, two unlicensed hunting rifles, digital data and organizational documents, the official added.

According to another security official, 39 suspects were arrested during operations carried out by the police’s counter-terrorism branch in Osmangazi, Yildirim, Nilufer, Gemlik, Inegol, Orhangazi and Gursu districts of Bursa.

The official said that the suspects included two Azerbaijani and 28 Syrians, while eight of them are under age.

Over 319 people have lost their lives in Daesh attacks in Turkey, where the terror organization has targeted civilians in suicide bomb, rocket and gun attacks.