Main political events in Türkiye in the last week.
Main political events in Türkiye in the last week.
Last week, at the top of Türkiye’s agenda was large-scale operations against ISIS and an armed clash that broke out during an operation in the district of Yalova.
Another important item in the agenda was statements by Feti Yıldız, Deputy Chair of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), regarding developments in Syria.
The expanding investigations into drug trafficking and illegal betting in football were another most widely discussed issue of the week.
Large-scale operations against ISIS
Operations against ISIS centered in Istanbul, and an armed clash between ISIS terrorists and security forces in the district of Yalova was at the top of public, officials and media agenda last week.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that large-scale operations against ISIS had been carried out and that 115 suspects had been detained.
It was reported that the suspects were detained “within the scope of intelligence indicating that ISIS was calling for attacks and planning actions targeting Christmas and New Year’s events.”
In a written statement, the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the following:
“Within the framework of investigations conducted by the Counterterrorism Crimes Investigation Bureau of our Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, and under the instructions given, simultaneous arrest, detention, search, and seizure operations were carried out at 124 different addresses across our province by the Istanbul Police Department’s Counterterrorism Branch.
These operations targeted 137 suspects who were found to be linked to conflict zones as part of terrorist organization activities, and about whom was information that they involved in calls for action and attack planning by the armed terrorist organization ISIS, particularly against non-Muslim individuals, in connection with the upcoming Christmas and New Year period, and some of whom were subject to arrest warrants at both the national and international levels for terrorism-related offenses. As a result of the operations, handguns, ammunition, and a large quantity of organizational documents were seized.
Of the suspects, 115 have been apprehended, while operations on the remaining suspects are still ongoing. Further updates will be shared.”
The ISIS operation that began in Istanbul continued with an armed clash in Yalova.
On December 29, a clash broke out during an operation carried out by Yalova Provincial Police units targeting ISIS members in a house.
The operation, which started late at night, turned into a firefight after the suspects opened fire on security forces.
The clash lasted approximately six hours.
During the fighting, it was reported to the press that education was suspended at five nearby schools.
Following the clashes, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya issued a statement:
“Our fight against terrorist structures that seek to legitimize violence by exploiting our faith and that target the peace of our nation and public order continues with determination today, just as it did yesterday. Over the past month, 138 suspects have been arrested in operations against the ISIS terrorist organization, while judicial control measures have been imposed on 97 others.
As a continuation of this determination, simultaneous operations were carried out this morning at 108 different addresses across 15 provinces.
One of these operations took place in Yalova at 02:00. During the operation in the İsmetpaşa neighborhood, our heroic police officers came under fire. Unfortunately, three of our brave officers were martyred in this operation, while eight police officers and one neighborhood watchman were injured.
Due to the presence of women and children in the house where the terrorists were hiding, the operation was conducted with great care. Five women and six children were safely evacuated from the house. Six terrorists were neutralized. These terrorists are Turkish citizens. The operation was completed at 09:40.”
Recent operations and the fact that ISIS terrorists could open fire on the security forces in Turkish soil, sparked the public debate anew on ISIS’s presence in Türkiye, and how even participation and organization of Turkish citizens into ISIS would be possible.
Operations by the judiciary and security forces against ISIS are expected to continue.
MHP issues a new assessment on Syria
MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız, in an interview with Türkgün newspaper, shared important assessments regarding recent developments in Syria and the ongoing “Terror-free Türkiye” process.
Stating that international support given to terrorist organizations such as the PYD/SDG poses a major threat to Türkiye, Yıldız said these structures “not only threaten Türkiye’s border security but also form the main corridors for cross-border terrorist movements.”
Yıldız made the following remarks regarding the “Terror-free Türkiye” process:
“Türkiye’s geopolitical position elevates the ideal of a ‘Terror-Free Türkiye’ beyond a mere domestic security strategy and places it at the very center of a regional security architecture. Anatolia is not only a strategic bridge between Asia and Europe, but also a key junction for energy corridors, trade networks, and migration routes.
It is evident that demands for state-building and centralization have long existed in our region. Many countries have entered a process of rebuilding their sovereign capacity. This process forces non-state actors either to adapt or to be eliminated.
The new global center of gravity has shifted from the Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific in terms of trade, logistics, energy, and transport corridors. Therefore, Türkiye’s internal stability is decisive in the broader security ecosystem stretching from the Middle East to Europe.
Yıldız also evaluated the effects of the ongoing process in Türkiye on Syria and Iraq. He said:
“The civil war that began in Syria in 2011 has fundamentally altered the regional security balance, expanding the operational space for terrorist organizations. For Türkiye, the greatest threat has emerged from the international support provided to structures such as the PYD/YPG in northern Syria. These structures not only threaten Türkiye’s border security but also form the main corridors for cross-border terrorist movements.
Since 2016, through operations such as Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, and Peace Spring, Türkiye has neutralized cross-border terrorist structures and enabled the safe return of over 500,000 Syrians to secure areas. These operations are consistent with the international counter-terrorism obligations defined by UN Security Council Resolutions 1373 and 2178.
In northern Iraq, the long-standing presence of the PKK, combined with the weak authority of the central government, has posed a persistent security risk for Türkiye. The series of operations, the Operation Claw, conducted since 2019 under the Northern Iraq Operational Area have significantly restricted this organization’s area of movement. Additionally, the 2023 Security Memorandum signed with the Baghdad administration institutionalized intelligence sharing and border security cooperation between the two countries.
Yıldız also commented on Israel and Iran’s regional policies:
“Türkiye’s security policy is directly in interaction with Israel’s military expansionism and Iran’s influence strategies, carried out through proxy forces. Iran’s Shia militia networks in Iraq and Syria are considered an ‘indirect threat’ to Türkiye’s border security and regional interests.
Similarly, Israel’s military operations along the Gaza and Lebanon fronts raise regional tensions and enhance the radicalization capacity of terrorist groups. For Israel’s hegemony in the Middle East, a garrison state, a Kurdish statelet, are necessary. Without such a statelet, Israel cannot reach its objectives. In this environment, Türkiye has strengthened its deterrence by coordinating diplomatic and military tools.”
Drug and football betting investigations expand
Operations against drug trafficking and football betting continued last week.
The drug operations, which began with the arrest of TV channel Habertürk Editor-in-Chief Mehmet Akif Ersoy and presenter Ela Rümeysa Cebeci, have expanded further.
An additional 20 celebrity people were taken into custody in drug operations.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, through its Bureau of Investigation for Smuggling, Narcotics, and Economic Crimes, continues investigations on charges including “production and trafficking of narcotics,” “providing special locations, equipment, or materials to facilitate drug or stimulant use and taking measures to hinder detection,” “purchasing, possessing, or accepting drugs for use,” “using drugs or stimulants,” and “encouraging and mediating prostitution.”
While the detentions including singers, businesspeople and models go on, TV channel Habertürk seems to be still at the center of the ongoing investigation. In another operation conducted by the Istanbul Gendarmerie Command’s Narcotics Division, former Habertürk executive and presenter Veyis Ateş, social media influencer Taner Çağlı, and businessman Mustafa Karataş were detained on charges of “providing special locations, equipment, or materials to facilitate drug use and taking measures to hinder detection.”
Meanwhile, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s investigation into “football betting” also continues.
The investigation also concerns top football clubs of the country, and its current and former executives, most known football players, referees, and businesspeople.
Last week, 27 suspects including former Galatasaray Sportif AŞ Vice President Erden Timur, Türkiye Football Federation (TFF) Director of International Relations and National Teams Buğra Cem İmamoğlulları, and Eyüpspor Vice President Fatih Kulaksız, were referred to the courthouse.