Insights

Six suspected IS militants arrested for planning to attack CHP protest march

Turkish police forces have detained six suspected Islamic State (IS) militants, on suspicion of planning to carry out an attack on a protest march led by the head of the main oppositional party. The march has seen tens of thousands of people join the opposition CHP leader on a march from Ankara to Istanbul. The IS militants were reportedly planning to attack the convoy with a minibus, which had already been rented. Earlier today it was also reported that Turkish police had arrested 37 IS suspects in anti-terror raids and operations throughout the country, with one suspect allegedly carrying more than 5kg of explosives at the border with Syria. In a separate operation, police detained 12 individuals with suspected links to the Islamic State in southern Adana province.

Turkey has detained more than 5,000 Islamic State suspects in recent years and deported some 3,290 foreign militants from 95 different countries.  It has also refused entry to at least 38,269 individuals.

Those operating or residing in Turkey are advised to be aware that there a number of terror groups, primarily linked to extremist Islamist or Kurdish elements, who are active and carry out attacks in the country. Exercise a high degree of caution and avoid loitering near to security forces, as they are often the target of such attacks. Report any suspicious packages, behaviour or activity to the authorities and remain vigilant.