Ankara unleashes dual operation on FETÖ and ISIS, military officers among arrested

The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office of Ankara has issued arrest warrants for 18 suspects as part of ongoing investigations into the terrorist organisations FETÖ and ISIS across seven provinces.

The warrants were issued following an investigation conducted by the Bureau for the Investigation of Terrorist Crimes, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Among those targeted are two colonels, three majors, two captains, three first lieutenants, a non-commissioned officer, and a specialist sergeant — all of whom had previously been dismissed from duty due to severed ties.

Authorities uncovered connections between these individuals and a faction within the armed terrorist organisation FETÖ, specifically aimed at infiltrating the Air Force Command. The suspects had reportedly maintained contact with so-called FETÖ leaders through prepaid landline phones located in public spaces such as kiosks, grocery stores, and markets throughout Ankara.

In addition, digital materials recovered in earlier investigations into ISIS members led to new evidence. Six individuals were identified as communicating via a decrypted organisational messaging app and were found to possess digital records indicating membership in the armed terrorist group.

As of May 27, 2025, a total of 18 suspects across seven provinces, with Ankara as the operational centre, are subject to detention under both investigations.

By Tamilla Hasanova