Turkish police detain ISIS militant plotting New Year attack

Turkish law enforcement agencies have detained a suspected militant linked to the ISIS terrorist group who was reportedly planning attacks during the New Year holiday period, security sources said.

According to the findings of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), the suspect, identified as Ibrahim Burtakuchin, was operating on behalf of ISIS inside Türkiye, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media. 

Intelligence assessments indicated that he was seeking an opportunity to travel to conflict zones to formally join the group and was preparing to carry out an ISIS-linked attack in the country at the start of the year.

The operation to detain the suspect was conducted jointly by police and counterterrorism units in the eastern city of Malatya. Investigators established that Burtakuchin had been in contact with ISIS supporters both within Türkiye and abroad as part of preparations for potential terrorist activity.

During searches of his residence, security forces seized digital materials and banned extremist literature, which have been taken in for further examination as part of the ongoing investigation.

By Sabina Mammadli