19 Daesh-linked suspects arrested in Ankara

By Cankut Tasdan

ANKARA (AA) - Seven more people were arrested in capital Ankara on Tuesday for suspected links to the Daesh terror group, bringing the total number of suspects held to 19, according to a security source.

The arrests came after prosecutors in Ankara issued arrest warrants on Monday for 20 people as part of a probe into Daesh.

The source said the arrested suspects, who are all foreigners, were allegedly recruiting members for the terror group and were in contact with conflict zones.

On Monday, counterterrorist units apprehended at least 12 of the wanted suspects in raids across the city, according to another security source.

Police conducted the operation as part of an investigation into an alleged terror attack plot on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the source added.

More than 300 people have lost their lives in Daesh-claimed attacks in Turkey, where the terror group 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.