Turkish security forces have arrested nearly 200 individuals in a nationwide counter-terrorism operation following a violent shootout outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek confirmed on Wednesday that the simultaneous raids spanned 34 provinces, targeting operatives linked to the "Daesh" terrorist organisation, also known as the Islamic State group.
The enforcement sweep follows a ten-minute gun battle on Tuesday in Istanbul’s Levent business district. During the confrontation, a 32-year-old gunman was killed by police, while two other attackers were wounded and hospitalised. The Justice Ministry has already placed 12 of the 198 suspects into pre-trial detention, including the two wounded gunmen. Two police officers sustained light injuries while intervening during the initial assault.
According to the Interior Ministry, the deceased attacker had documented ties to a terrorist organisation, while his accomplices—identified as brothers—were reportedly linked to drug trafficking networks. Footage from the scene showed at least one assailant armed with an automatic rifle and tactical gear. Investigators revealed the group arrived at the European-side mission in a rented vehicle from Izmit, located approximately 86 kilometres from the city.
The Israeli mission was largely empty at the time of the incident, as diplomatic staff had been evacuated following the regional escalation that began in October 2023. While no group has officially claimed responsibility, the profile of the attackers and the scale of the subsequent raids point toward a resurgent Islamic State threat within Turkish borders.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the "treacherous attack" and reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to combatting all forms of terrorism. This incident follows a similar attack in Yalova last December, where Islamic State members killed three officers, prompting a previous sweep of 125 suspects. The Turkish government has significantly increased its domestic security posture to protect diplomatic infrastructure and high-profile commercial districts.
The swift judicial response serves as a policy signal that Ankara will maintain a zero-tolerance approach toward extremist volatility. Security experts suggest the coordination of the raids across 34 provinces indicates a broader intelligence effort to dismantle sleeper cells that have previously targeted Turkish nightlife and public infrastructure. For now, the Levent district remains under heavy guard as forensic investigations continue.
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