Turkey: 100 Daesh/ISIS terrorists arrested in raids

ANKARA

A total of 100 Daesh/ISIS terrorists were arrested across the nation on Tuesday while the nation marked the Republic Day, said the Turkish police chief on Wednesday.

Anti-terror police arrested terrorists -- who plotted attacks during Oct. 29 Republic Day events -- in 26 operations across 21 provinces, said Mehmet Aktas.

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

During Operation Euphrates Shield (2016-2017) in Syria, Turkish forces neutralized 3,060 Daesh terrorists.

Turkey has suffered greatly from Daesh attacks inside the country. More than 300 people have been killed in attacks claimed by Daesh in Turkey, where the terrorist organization has targeted civilians in suicide bombings and armed attacks in recent years.

The 96th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey was celebrated across the country on Tuesday.

Aktas also said 452 suspects were arrested and 78 others remanded into custody for online smearing Turkey’s anti-terror operation in northern Syria.

Ankara on Oct. 9, launched anti-terror Operation Peace Spring aiming to eliminate terrorist YPG/PKK elements from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.