In a major anti-terror operation in northwest Turkey, a fierce clash between security forces and Islamic State militants resulted in the deaths of six extremists and three police officers. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday in the Elmali district of Yalova province, located south of Istanbul.
Details of the Yalova Confrontation
The operation was launched around 2 AM local time when police stormed a house where the militants were hiding. According to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the raid was conducted with "great care" because women and children were present inside the building. All five women and six children were successfully and safely evacuated from the premises.
The firefight was intense, leading to significant casualties. Three police officers were killed, and eight others were wounded. A night guard was also injured in the exchange. On the militant side, all six Islamic State members were neutralised. Minister Yerlikaya confirmed that all the militants were Turkish nationals. The operation was officially declared complete at 9:40 AM.
Nationwide Security Sweep and Precautions
This raid in Yalova was not an isolated event. The Interior Minister stated it was part of a broader security crackdown, one of more than a hundred simultaneous raids carried out against IS suspects across 15 Turkish provinces.
Local authorities took extensive precautions during the Yalova operation. To ensure public safety, they cut off natural gas and electricity supplies to the area. Civilians and vehicles were barred from entering the neighbourhood. As the confrontation spilled into the streets, five schools in the vicinity were closed for the day as a precautionary measure.
Context of Rising Threats
This operation follows a series of proactive measures by Turkish police. Just last week, scores of simultaneous raids led to the detention of 115 IS militants who were allegedly planning attacks targeting Christmas and New Year's celebrations. Officials indicated the extremist group had called for actions against non-Muslims during the holiday period.
The threat is persistent. The Islamic State has a history of carrying out deadly attacks in Turkey, most notably the January 1, 2017, nightclub shooting in Istanbul that killed 39 people during New Year celebrations. The latest operations underscore Turkey's ongoing and vigorous efforts to dismantle terror networks and prevent attacks during sensitive times.
