Authorities in Turkey arrested more than 350 people suspected of belonging to the terrorist group ISIS in a series of coordinated nationwide raids, marking one of the country’s largest counterterrorism operations this year.

The crackdown followed a deadly gunfight that left three police officers and six alleged militants dead.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the arrests were carried out simultaneously across 21 provinces, under the coordination of prosecutors’ offices and the intelligence and counterterrorism units.

According to the minister, security forces detained 357 suspects linked to ISIS networks operating inside the country.

Some of those arrested are accused of planning attacks during New Year’s celebrations. The prosecutor’s office in Istanbul warned that certain suspects intended to turn the holiday period into “a bloodbath.”

Yerlikaya stressed that the Turkish state would show “zero tolerance” toward any attempt to destabilize the country through terrorism.

In response to the heightened threat, authorities deployed around 50,000 police officers in Istanbul, reinforcing security at tourist areas, shopping centers and major transportation hubs. The city remains a key focus due to its size, symbolic importance and history of past attacks.

Raids were conducted in provinces including Ankara, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Antalya and Konya, along with more than 100 home searches in Istanbul.

According to Anadolu Agency, at least 41 detainees in the city had direct links to the militants killed in the shootout in Yalova, in northwestern Turkey.

Different active foci

Nine police officers were wounded during that confrontation, raising concerns about the presence of active ISIS cells capable of carrying out coordinated attacks.

In response, the government intensified preventive operations and intelligence efforts nationwide.

Throughout the year, Turkey has stepped up its campaign against ISIS amid growing international concern over the group’s resurgence.

The latest operation underscores Ankara’s determination to maintain sustained pressure on extremist networks and prevent future attacks on its soil.