54 detained in operation against ISIL militants in Istanbul

54 detained in operation against ISIL militants in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

The Istanbul Police Department’s Counter-Terrorism Unit teams have conducted a major operation against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), detaining 54 suspects.

Nineteen locations in 13 districts in Istanbul were raided in the early hours of May 15, Doğan News Agency reported.

Fifty-four detainees were taken to the headquarters of the Istanbul Police Department on Vatan Avenue and digital data and documents found during the raids were confiscated.

The suspects are thought to have been preparing to travel to conflict zones in Syria.