Turkish police wounded in clash with IS militants

Seven Turkish police officers were injured in a clash with suspected ISIS militants in northwestern Türkiye and a police operation against them continues, Reuters eyewitnesses and state media reported.

The witness said that occasional gunshots were heard at the scene of the conflict in Yalova province, south of Istanbul, on the Marmara Sea coast, where police teams carried out a night operation on a house where militants were believed to be present.

The witness said police blocked the road approaching the house and an officer told him the operation was still ongoing.

Smoke billowed from a nearby fire and a police helicopter flew overhead, joined by multiple ambulances and fire trucks.

Turkish police last week detained 115 suspected Islamic State members who they said were planning to attack Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country.

State broadcaster TRT Haber said on Monday that the injured police officers were taken to nearby hospitals and their condition was not serious.

According to NTV, the suspects opened fire on the police while launching an operation on the outskirts of Yalova district in the early hours of Monday.

Police special teams were dispatched to the scene from the neighboring province of Bursa to provide support.

The Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office announced last week that ISIS militants were planning attacks especially against non-Muslims.

Almost a decade ago, the jihadist group was blamed for a series of attacks on civilian targets in Türkiye, including a shooting attack on an Istanbul nightclub and the city’s main airport that left dozens dead.