Turkish police in Istanbul detained a number of people linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) on information that they had received orders to organise a terrorist attack against Western diplomatic missions and Christian and Jewish places of worship, state news agency Anadolu reported on Sunday.
Turkish authorities stated that they have acted on intelligence received about a potential terrorist plot in response to the burning of the Muslim holy book the Quran in demonstrations in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands at the end of January. They said they were unable to find concrete evidence of a terrorist threat, though 15 suspects were remanded in custody after interrogation.
The police operation came after nine Western countries, including the United States, either closed embassies and consulates in Turkey or issued travel warnings this week on the grounds of possible terrorist attacks.
The Turkish government said the Western diplomatic missions had not provided detailed information on these potential attacks, and responded by issuing similar travel warnings, and summoning the ambassadors of the nine countries.
