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US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) launched an attack against the terrorist organization Islamic State in north-western Nigeria. Where on one hand America attacked ISIS in Nigeria. On the other hand, Turkey has also taken action against this organization. Turkish security forces have detained more than 100 suspected ISIS members after discovering alleged plans to carry out attacks targeting Christmas and New Year celebrations, officials said Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said that ISIS After receiving intelligence regarding this, the police conducted raids throughout Istanbul. It was told in this intelligence that the extremist group was planning to attack during the holidays, especially against non-Muslims.

115 suspects detained

According to the statement, authorities issued arrest warrants against 137 suspects, of whom 115 people were detained during raids conducted at 124 locations. During this operation the officials also seized arms, ammunition and documents.

Police said the suspects have links to the Islamic State (ISIS), which has previously targeted religious minorities and public events. These arrests have taken place amid intensified operations against ISIS at the regional level.

ISIS cells still active

Syrian security forces have also intensified their operations against this group. At its peak in 2015, ISIS controlled large parts of Iraq and Syria and became notorious for extreme violence against religious minorities and Muslims who rejected its ideology, according to the Associated Press.

However, the US-led coalition defeated the group’s last regional stronghold in 2019. But officials say that ISIS cells are still active and remain capable of carrying out attacks.

It is becoming difficult for Turkey

Due to the border, Turkey has emerged as a major target of ISIL activities. The country shares a long border with Syria, where the armed group still exists despite losing territorial control in 2019. Since then, this group has been engaged in expanding its organization in Central Asia and its new affiliate organizations have emerged in Africa.

Turkey has a nearly 900 kilometer long border with Syria, where ISIS is still active in some areas despite losing most of its territorial control. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said that his administration is working with the US and European countries to eliminate the remaining elements of ISIS.

Turkey takes action

Turkey typically ramps up widespread counter-terrorism operations during year-end holidays, particularly following the 2017 ISIS attack on Istanbul’s Rina nightclub during New Year’s celebrations. Dozens of people were killed in this attack.

Earlier, two days ago, Turkish intelligence agencies had conducted a separate anti-terrorism operation near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. In that operation, a Turkish citizen accused of holding a senior position in a group linked to ISIS was detained. Officials said the suspect was involved in planning attacks against civilians.

Turkish security agencies have regularly targeted networks linked to ISIS following several deadly attacks carried out by ISIS inside the country over the past decade.