Yerlikaya pointed out that some of them may be linked to the January attack that killed two people at Saint Mary Draperis church in Istanbul.

On his X profile, the minister noted, “We will not tolerate any act of terrorism. Our struggle for peace, unity, and solidarity of our nation will continue with determination and the superior efforts of our security forces.”

The detentions were made in two operations in Istanbul, where the police arrested 30 suspects. Eighteen people were detained in Ankara.

One person was killed on January 28, 2024, when two armed individuals attacked the Istanbul church, an act attributed by the Turkish Government to the jihadist organization. After that, nearly fifty people have been arrested.

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