Members of the Islamic State (IS, banned in Russia) terrorist group, including Russians, were detained in Turkey. This was announced on Wednesday, January 27, on the website of the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.
According to the ministry, a total of 12 people were caught on the border with Syria, who were trying to illegally cross into Turkey. This happened back on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2020, in the Reyhanli district (Hatay province). After being detained, they were handed over to the local police department.
“It was established that these persons – five from Russia, four from Uzbekistan and three from Kyrgyzstan – are terrorists from ISIS,” the statement said. The investigation revealed that one of them is on the wanted list under the Interpol red circular. The ministry did not provide any information about the detainees.
Earlier in January, Kurds in Syria said they were preparing to fight Turkish forces along the entire length of the Turkish-Syrian border if Ankara decides to launch an offensive operation in the country.
The Syrian civil war began in March 2011. The main participants in the conflict are government forces supporting President Bashar al-Assad, the so-called moderate opposition and Islamist groups. The opposition is supported by Turkey, Russia is helping the Assad government.
