In a dramatic security operation in northwest Turkiye, six ISIL (ISIS) fighters were killed in a fierce shootout that also claimed the lives of three Turkish police officers. The incident took place during an overnight raid in Yalova province’s Elmalik village, local authorities confirmed.

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Turkiye Conducts Major Anti-ISIL Raids

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that security forces carried out 108 overnight raids targeting alleged ISIL hideouts across 13 provinces. The operations were part of an intensified national effort to dismantle ISIL networks and prevent potential attacks during the holiday period.

One of the critical raids occurred at approximately 2 a.m. local time on Monday (23:00 GMT on Sunday) in Elmalik village, a residential area south of Istanbul. Authorities exchanged fire with the suspected ISIL operatives, resulting in the deaths of six militants and three police officers. Eight policemen and a night watchman were also wounded during the confrontation.

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Evacuation and Security Measures

During the raid, five women and six children were safely evacuated from the targeted home, according to Minister Yerlikaya.

Special forces from nearby Bursa province provided reinforcement, ensuring ongoing security in the area. Authorities blocked roads around the operation site, and the Yalova governorate suspended classes at five nearby schools as a precaution. Local residents were restricted from entering the affected zone.

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Rising Focus on ISIL Strongholds in Turkiye

Turkish authorities have intensified their crackdown on ISIL throughout the holiday period. Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Istanbul, noted that security forces are targeting “sleeping cells of ISIL” nationwide.

Earlier this week, police conducted raids on 124 locations and apprehended 115 suspected ISIL operatives, authorities reported. Intelligence suggested that these operatives were planning attacks in Turkiye, particularly targeting non-Muslims during the holidays.

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Regional Anti-ISIL Efforts

The operation in Turkiye coincides with U.S. military strikes in neighboring Syria, where more than 70 ISIL targets were hit earlier this month. These actions followed the deaths of two American soldiers and an interpreter in Palmyra, Syria.

Turkiye, sharing a border with Syria, has significantly expanded its anti-ISIL efforts since 2019. Turkish authorities report that some ISIL fighters relocated to Turkiye after the group’s territorial losses in Iraq and Syria. Previous nationwide raids have led to the arrest of nearly 300 suspects across 47 provinces over just two weeks, while more than 19,000 arrests were made between 2013 and 2023 for suspected ISIL affiliations.

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Key Takeaways

• Location: Elmalik village, Yalova province, Turkiye
• Casualties: 6 ISIL fighters and 3 police officers killed; 9 others wounded
• Evacuated Civilians: 5 women and 6 children
• Security Actions: Road closures, school suspensions, ongoing police operations
• Broader Context: Part of nationwide anti-ISIL operations in Turkiye; U.S. strikes in Syria complement regional efforts

Turkish authorities continue to monitor ISIL activity closely, emphasizing the country’s commitment to preventing attacks and dismantling extremist networks.