Islamic State terrorist suspect arrested in eastern Turkey ahead of attack

Turkish security units on Monday arrested a suspected member of the Islamic State (ISIS) in eastern Şanlıurfa province ahead of planned suicide bomb attack, the Interior Ministry said.

Police took the suspect, known as “Ebi Enes El Kahtani,” into custody, following a raid to his home, where a large volume of digital material linked to ISIS was found, T24 news site reported.

The suspect is believed to have been planning a suicide attack, the ministry said.

El Kahtani is suspected of having joined ISIS in 2014 and receiving raining in combat and other areas, according to the ministry.

In 2013, Turkey declared ISIS a terrorist organization, sparking a string of deadly attacks from the group in the country, which saw 315 people killed and hundreds injured.

Despite Ankara’s claim that it has long cracked down on the group, ISIS continues to rely on “logistical hubs” inside Turkey for its finances, the U.S. Treasury said in January 2021.

In March, Turkish police captured a suspected member of ISIS, who is sought by an Interpol Red Notice, in the country’s northern Ordu province, Diken news site reported.

Source: Ahval News