ByREUTERS
Turkish authorities have detained 115 suspected Islamic State members they said were planning to carry out attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country, the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office said on Thursday.

Istanbul Police obtained information that Islamic State members had planned attacks in Turkey, against non-Muslims in particular, during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the prosecutor’s office posted on X.

The police raided 124 locations in Istanbul and captured 115 of the 137 suspects they were seeking, the statement said. Several pistols and ammunition were seized, it said.

Kashmiri demonstrators hold up a flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during a demonstration against Israeli military operations in Gaza, in downtown Srinagar on July 18, 2014. (credit: TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP via Getty Images)
Kashmiri demonstrators hold up a flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during a demonstration against Israeli military operations in Gaza, in downtown Srinagar on July 18, 2014. (credit: TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP via Getty Images)

Attacks in Istanbul and Bondi Beach

Istanbul has faced other attacks against non-Muslims recently. On Sunday, Jews were attacked on their way to light Hanukkah candles at Neve Shalom Synagogue. The synagogue has been the target of several other terrorist attacks, including a massacre in 1986 that killed 22 people and truck bombings in 2003. 

The Islamic State has also been connected to the recent terror attack in Bondi Beach, calling the attack a “source of pride,” as well as the two gunmen having ties to the terrorist organization.