Istanbul Police Conduct Major Operation Targeting Entertainment Venues and Public Transport

The Istanbul Police Department, in cooperation with the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), carried out a large-scale operation called "Peace Istanbul" on Tuesday, inspecting 478 entertainment venues and 306 public transportation vehicles across the city. The operation aimed to ensure public safety and security in the vibrant city.

During the operation, police arrested Saim Cakmak, who is alleged to be one of the executives of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization in Germany. Cakmak was identified as being actively involved in the overseas activities of the PKK/KCK, which has waged a terror campaign against Türkiye for over 35 years, resulting in the deaths of over 40,000 people. The PKK is recognized as a terrorist group by Türkiye, the U.S., and the European Union.

In addition to the "Peace Istanbul" operation, Turkish authorities conducted the Bozdogan-29 operations targeting the Daesh terrorist group. As part of these operations, 23 suspects were apprehended in seven provinces, including Canakkale, Hatay, Konya, Sakarya, Tekirdag, Yalova, and Yozgat.

Why this matters: The successful operations demonstrate Türkiye's ongoing commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring public safety. The arrest of high-profile terrorist suspects and the extensive inspections of entertainment venues and public transportation send a strong message that the Turkish government will not tolerate any threats to national security or the well-being of its citizens.

Between June 1, 2023, and April 22, 2024, a total of 1,422 operations were carried out against Daesh, resulting in the arrest of nearly 3,000 suspects in 10 months. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that 718 of the detained suspects were remanded in custody. Türkiye has been conducting pinpoint operations and freezing assets to eliminate terrorist groups at their roots, and has deported 9,000 foreign terrorist fighters, mainly from Daesh, from 102 different nationalities since 2011.

Interior Minister Yerlikaya emphasized the superior efforts of the security forces, stating, "The fight against terrorism will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized." The successful operations in Istanbul and across Türkiye demonstrate the country's unwavering resolve to maintain peace and security within its borders.

Key Takeaways

• Istanbul police, MIT conducted "Peace Istanbul" operation, inspected 478 venues, 306 vehicles.
• Arrested Saim Cakmak, alleged PKK/KCK executive in Germany, involved in overseas terror activities.
• Conducted Bozdogan-29 operations, apprehended 23 Daesh suspects across 7 provinces.
• 1,422 Daesh operations since June 2023, nearly 3,000 suspects arrested in 10 months.
• Turkish authorities vow to continue fight against terrorism until last terrorist is neutralized.