Turkish security forces detained six foreign nationals, including a wanted Daesh terrorist, near the border with Syria as they attempted to illegally enter the country, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
"Our border guards stationed in Hatay's Narlıca district caught six people, including one Libyan and five Russian nationals, who were attempting to illegally cross into Turkey from Syria," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry noted that one of the Russian nationals was identified as a female Daesh member who was on the wanted list and sought with a red notice.
The terrorist group has been trying to establish a new formation in Turkey after receiving a heavy blow in Iraq and Syria. According to testimony by terrorists detained in previous operations in Adana province, Daesh had been attempting to kidnap judges, prosecutors and tourist groups to trade for Daesh terrorists held in Iraq and Syria.
Turkey detained the so-called “Turkey emir” of Daesh, named Mahmut Özden, in August. He was planning to carry out an attack on Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and target politicians, nongovernmental organization (NGO) heads and other prominent figures in Turkey, according to the official investigation.
Police deciphered encrypted messages of Daesh sent by the terrorist ringleaders in Syria and Iraq, with a wide range of instructions, including kidnapping tourist groups, prosecutors and deputies, attacking Incirlik Air Base in Adana and other plans.
Turkey recognized Daesh as a terrorist group in 2013, and since then, the country has been attacked numerous times, including 10 suicide bombings, seven bombings and four armed assaults, which have killed 315 people and injured hundreds more.
In response, Turkey launched military and police operations both inside and outside the country, capturing top Daesh members in counterterrorism efforts at home and in Syria.
