ISTANBUL, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces detained 29 suspects here on Wednesday during coordinated operations targeting individuals accused of spreading propaganda for the Islamic State (IS) group on social media, authorities said.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said the operation was carried out by the Istanbul Police Department's counterterrorism branch as part of an investigation into suspected IS members and activities. The probe was launched following a deadly attack in the northwestern province of Yalova that left three police officers and six suspected IS members dead.
Authorities said 28 of the suspects were identified for allegedly disseminating IS propaganda online, while one was found to have been actively involved in the organization.
Simultaneous raids were conducted at 29 separate addresses across the city, during which police seized many digital materials and organizational documents, the statement said.
Türkiye has intensified operations against the IS in recent weeks, as intelligence assessments warned of heightened security risks during the New Year holiday period. On Tuesday, Turkish police detained 357 suspected IS members in coordinated counterterrorism operations across 21 provinces. ■