Tag Archives: Turkey

Security forces detained 22 suspected al Qaeda operatives during raids in the provinces of Aksaray, Manisa, and Ankara. Police discovered documents linking the group to al Qaeda; three firearms were also found.

Police today arrested 120 suspected al Qaeda operatives and supporters during raids in 16 provinces, and on Jan. 18 detained the group’s leader and 30 others. Police also detained 60 suspected members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) during operations in four southern provinces.

Turkish security forces reportedly captured a senior leader of al Qaeda in Turkey. Serdar Elbasa, who is known as Abu Zar, was among 30 al Qaeda operatives detained during an operation in Ankara. Elbassa fought in Chechnya and had recruited Chechens, Azeris, and Georgians in his organization.

Turkish security forces detained 20 al Qaeda suspects in the city of Adana. More than 300 policemen searched 25 locations during the raids in Adana and seized weapons, ammunition, and computers.

Security forces arrested 32 suspected al Qaeda operatives during raids in eight provinces. The cells were suspected of plotting attacks against US, Israeli, and NATO targets in Turkey. The operatives are said to have received training in Afghanistan.