ISTANBUL

Turkish police have detained 11 Daesh suspects in early-morning raids in Istanbul.

According to security sources, police on Thursday arrested the suspected militants -- including seven foreign nationals -- during separate operations in several districts including Bagcilar, Umraniye, Esenler, Silivri and Bahcelievler.

The detainees, who were reportedly preparing to go to Syria, were taken to Istanbul police headquarters after health checks.

The operation is ongoing and the number of suspects detained will increase, police said.

Since July, security forces in the country have been conducting anti-terrorist operations across Turkey after a Daesh suicide bombing killed dozens of people in Suruc, Sanliurfa province on July 20. Another terrorist attack killed more than 100 people in Ankara on Oct. 10.