Turkish authorities have arrested more than 200 people suspected of having links to the Islamic State (ISIS) and outlawed far-left groups as part of heightened security measures ahead of the forthcoming NATO summit in Ankara.
Key Highlights:
- Turkish authorities arrested 209 suspects in anti-terror operations ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara.
- The arrests include alleged links to ISIS and banned far-left groups, including DHKP-C.
- Security forces are still searching for 32 additional suspects.
- Authorities also banned public demonstrations from June 28 until the end of the summit.
- The summit, involving leaders of NATO member states, is scheduled for July 7–8 in Ankara.
The Ankara Prosecutor’s Office said on Tuesday, that 209 suspects were apprehended during coordinated operations across the capital, while security agencies are still searching for 32 others believed to be connected to the groups under investigation.
According to officials, 185 of those arrested are suspected members of several far-left organisations designated as terrorist groups by the Turkish government.
Among them is the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), a militant group that has previously claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in the country.
Authorities said the raids formed part of broader efforts to ensure security and prevent potential threats ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for July 7 and 8 in Ankara.
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In a related development, the Ankara Governor’s Office announced a ban on all demonstrations and public gatherings from June 28 until the end of the summit.
The high-profile meeting is expected to bring together leaders of the alliance’s 32 member states, including U.S. President Donald Trump.
Turkish authorities have yet to release further details about the suspects or the specific allegations against them, but investigations are ongoing.
The latest arrests underscore Ankara’s intensified security posture as it prepares to host one of NATO’s most important gatherings this year.
