Turkey continues crackdown on ISIS

Turkey has arrested another ISIS cell planning a “sensational” attack.

CIA chief Mike Pompeo arrived in Turkey on Thursday to discuss the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) group in Syria and Iraq.

A Turkish security official said that Pompeo — who is making his first overseas trip since taking office — will meet with his Turkish counterpart as well as with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Talks include plans for a possible operation to retake the ISIS self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa, said the official.

Pompeo’s visit follows US President Donald Trump’s telephone conversation with Erdogan.

‘Sensational’ Attack Thwarted

In the latest development in Turkey’s war on ISIS, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported that police have detained four ISIS suspects who were allegedly planning to carry out a “sensational” attack.

Anadolu reported Thursday that the suspects were detained in an operation in Gaziantep, near the border with Syria. Police seized 24 suicide attack belts made with some 150 kilograms of explosives, two automatic rifles and other material.

There was no detail on the suspects’ nationalities.

Last year, Turkey suffered dozens of deadly attacks carried out by ISIS or Kurdish militants.

Some 750 people with alleged ISIS links were detained in a major police sweep in 29 Turkish provinces last week.

By: AP

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