At a Glance
- Islamic State militants clashed with police in northwest Turkey, killing 3 police officers and 6 militants.
- The raid took place in Elmali district, Yalova province, south of Istanbul.
- Five women and six children were safely evacuated from the house before the firefight.
- Why it matters: The incident highlights Turkey’s ongoing crackdown on IS suspects and the risks to public safety in the region.
On Monday, Turkish police clashed with Islamic State militants in Yalova, resulting in casualties and a large-scale raid that involved special forces from neighboring Bursa.
The Raid
At around 2 a.m., police stormed a house in Elmali district where militants were hiding. Special forces from Bursa were dispatched to reinforce. The operation lasted until 9:40 a.m.. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said:
> “The operation in Yalova was one out of more than 100 simultaneous raids carried out against IS suspects in 15 provinces across the country.”
The raid was conducted with care because women and children were inside; all were evacuated safely.
- Police officers killed: 3
- Militants killed: 6
- Police officers wounded: 8
- Night guard wounded: 1
Investigations and Reactions
Yalova Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation, assigning five prosecutors to lead the probe. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc stated:
> “Five people have been taken into custody as part of the investigation.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered condolences and vowed to continue the fight against extremist groups. He said:
> “We will continue our fight against the blood-stained killers who threaten our nation’s peace and our state’s security both within our borders and beyond, with determination, comprehensively and without compromise.”
Authorities cut off natural gas and electricity supplies as a precaution while civilians and vehicles were barred from entering the neighborhood. Five schools in the area were closed for the day, as reported by News Of Austin.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Police officers killed | 3 |
| Militants killed | 6 |
| Police officers wounded | 8 |
| Night guard wounded | 1 |
| Women evacuated | 5 |
| Children evacuated | 6 |
Key Takeaways
- The raid is part of a nationwide crackdown on Islamic State suspects.
- The incident resulted in the deaths of police officers and militants, and the evacuation of civilians.
- Authorities took precautionary measures, including cutting utilities and closing schools.
The clash underscores the persistent threat posed by IS in Turkey and the government’s determination to neutralize it.
