Turkish security forces arrested on Tuesday 20 ISIS members suspected of establishing a terrorist cell in the capital.
The Public Prosecution Office in Ankara said the arrest is part of an investigation launched by its Terrorism Crimes Office, against a group suspected of links to the terrorist organization ISIS.
In a statement, the Office added the suspected group was active in Ankara, noting that investigations into the suspects are currently continuing in the Anti-Terrorism Division.
Turkish police have stepped up operations against suspected ISIS militants particularly after the group claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a Catholic church in Istanbul early this month.
Türkiye has detained 17 members of the ISIS Khorasan Province in an operation in Istanbul. Investigations revealed that they were involved in the attack on the Santa Maria Catholic Church, and of planning to establish a cell to train ISIS militants and send them to Middle Eastern countries.
The Turkish Counter-terrorism forces have also detained 147 people suspected of having ties to ISIS in operations across 33 provinces.
Last month, ISIS renewed its activities in the country after a pause of seven years.
Early in February, one Turkish citizen was killed by two ISIS gunmen at the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul.
Authorities have already announced the arrest of 25 suspects in connection with the shooting.
Among the 25 remanded in custody were two suspected gunmen, previously captured by police, who are believed to be tied to ISIS. The first one is Amirjon Khliqov from Tajikistan and the other David Tanduev from Russia.
They were charged with being members of an illegal organization and aggravated intentional homicide. Another nine suspects were released pending trial.
Security sources said members of the ISIS Khorasan branch conducted activities against Türkiye and were in connection with the attack of the church.
ISIS claimed responsibility for terrorist attacks in Türkiye between 2015 and 2017, which killed more than 300 and wounded dozens. Türkiye designated the group as terrorist in 2013.
