ISTANBUL, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces detained nine suspects links to the Islamic State (IS) during an anti-terror operation centered in the western province of Izmir on Thursday, local authorities said.
The Izmir Chief Prosecutor's office said that simultaneous raids were conducted by gendarmerie counter-terrorism units across Izmir, Istanbul, and the central province of Konya.
Authorities also seized many digital materials and documents allegedly linked to the organization's financial activities.
The suspects are being held for questioning at the provincial gendarmerie command.
Turkish authorities have intensified domestic operations against IS cells in recent years, focusing on dismantling logistics and funding networks.
The country officially designated IS as a terrorist organization in 2013 and has since been targeted by the group in multiple attacks. ■
