7 arrested on suspicion of Daesh membership: Turkey

By Sengul Oymak

KOCAELI, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces on Tuesday arrested seven people, among them foreign nationals, over suspected ties to the terrorist Daesh during anti-terror operations across Turkey, according to the officials.

Four Syrian nationals were arrested in the northwestern Kocaeli province in an operation launched by anti-terrorism units of Turkish police, said a police source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Separately, three other suspects, known by the initials F.C., N.A., and S.K., were arrested during simultaneous raids carried out by anti-terror police in the Guroymak district of the southeastern Bitlis province, according to a statement by the provincial governor’s office.

Suspects were accused of “being members of the terrorist Daesh” and “making propaganda of a terrorist organization,” the statement 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 bombs, rocket and gun attacks.

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

* Sener Toktas contributed to the story from Bitlis