Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization, working with Syrian intelligence services, has captured ten wanted ISIS terrorists who were the subject of an Interpol Red Notice.
According to Turkish media and the Anadolu news agency, the suspects were arrested in a cross-border operation and taken to Turkey for questioning. Nine have already been formally arrested, while the detention of one additional suspect has been extended.
Investigators say one of the key figures is Omer Deniz Dundar, who is linked to the planning of the deadly 2015 bombing at Ankara’s main train station. One hundred and nine people were killed in that attack, and hundreds more were wounded.
Who are the ISIS terrorists arrested in this cross-border operation?
Dundar moved to Syria in 2014 and was involved in a series of terrorist attacks in Turkey. His fingerprints were also found in 2017 on explosive belts belonging to two suicide bombers.
Another prominent figure is Ali Bora, who served as ISIS’s intelligence “emir” responsible for operations related to Turkey. He also took an active role in planning three attacks against the Turkish military.
Several other operatives who held key positions were captured alongside him. They include Huseyin Peri, who was part of the group’s medical apparatus, and Kadir Gozukara, who ran its propaganda operations.
Another terrorist, Abdullah Cobanoglu, lost his leg in an explosion but continued to operate within the group’s media apparatus.
The remaining detainees - Hakki Yuksek, Kadir Demir, Cekdar Yilmaz, Murat Ozdemir, and Ishak Gunci - carried out mortar fire against the ousted President Bashar al-Assad's army and served as administrative officials in the “Turkey Province.”
During questioning, the terrorists revealed details about the training they received and the operations they carried out.
The operation is being described as a significant achievement in the fight against the remnants of ISIS.