This post is not a definitive account of ISIS activity in Türkiye in 2025, but an open-source synthesis of publicly reported operations, arrests, and one lethal confrontation. It reflects what is visible through media and official statements as of 31 December 2025, and should be read as provisional.
We have witnessed a law enforcement mobilization around ISIS cells in Türkiye in 2025. The ultimate move was a special forces raid at a cell house in Elmalık, Yalova. Three policemen were killed in this raid. As I prepare this post, it is still the early hours of 31 December, and I hope ISIS threats against New Year celebrations are effectively stopped.
Throughout 2025, Recurrent multi‑province arrest waves targeting ISIS cells, financing networks, and propaganda operations.thenationalnews+2
A culminating sequence in late December combining nationwide raids (hundreds detained) with the lethal Yalova/Elmalık operation, framed around intelligence on holiday‑period plots.aa+3
Open sources do not yet provide a single, authoritative “master list” of every 2025 operation against ISIS (IŞİD/DEAŞ) in Turkey. Still, several major waves and emblematic cases can be identified, especially around New Year’s security and multi‑province sweeps. What follows is a synthesis of what is publicly documented so far, with a strong caveat that the list is almost certainly incomplete and may be updated by Turkish authorities over time.wikipedia+1
Late‑December nationwide waves
25–30 December: Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and prosecutors announced several large nationwide operations against ISIS networks allegedly preparing attacks targeting Christmas and New Year celebrations, including non‑Muslim targets.cnn+1
In one wave, police conducted coordinated raids on 124 locations and detained 115 suspects, with warrants for 137 people; weapons, ammunition and organizational material were seized.cnn
On 30 December, authorities reported that 357 suspected ISIS members were detained in simultaneous operations across 21 provinces (including Istanbul, Ankara, Yalova), framed as part of intensified year‑end counter‑terrorism efforts.nbcnews+1
Yalova “Elmalık” raid (29 December 2025)
29 December: Special operations police raided an ISIS (ISKP‑linked) cell house near Elmalık village, Yalova province, after intelligence about planned attacks on year‑end celebrations; a prolonged gun battle followed.aa+2
Three police officers and six ISIS militants were killed, while eight officers and a neighborhood guard were wounded; several women and children were evacuated from the building, and six militants were reported “neutralized” (dead) at the scene.wikipedia+2
Earlier 2025 multi‑province operations
16 April: Turkish authorities arrested 89 individuals suspected of ISIS affiliation in coordinated operations across 17 provinces, including Istanbul, Antalya, Gaziantep, Hatay and Van; this episode appears in international “Islamic State 2025” timelines.wikipedia
10 December (announced): The Interior Minister reported that 92 suspects accused of financing ISIS and spreading propaganda on social media were detained in operations across 22 provinces, including Istanbul, Gaziantep, Diyarbakır, Hatay, İzmir, and others, over a two‑week period.cumhuriyet
Individual plots and specific arrests
21 February: A security bulletin cited in the 2025 Islamic State timeline notes that Turkish security forces arrested an Uzbek national with ISIS ties, accused of plotting attacks on Jewish sites in Turkey.wikipedia
Late December: Turkish authorities reported apprehending at least one suspected ISIS member said to be linked to planned New Year attacks, in parallel with the broader sweeps noted above.medyascope+1
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