Turkey says 3 police officers, 6 terrorists killed in raid on Islamic State cell

Police storm house where ISIS members were hiding in Yalova province, south of Istanbul; last week, officials said group was plotting attacks on Christmas, New Year’s celebrations

ANKARA, Turkey  — Turkey’s interior minister said six Islamic State terrorists and three police officers were killed in a clash in northwest Turkey.

The shooting occurred in Yalova province, south of Istanbul, on Monday, as police stormed a house where the operatives were hiding.

Special forces from neighboring Bursa province were dispatched to reinforce the operation.

In addition to those killed, eight police officers and a night guard were wounded, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters.

As the confrontation spread into the streets, five schools in the area were closed for the day, private news channel NTV reported. Authorities also cut off natural gas and electricity supplies as a precaution while civilians and vehicles were barred from entering the neighborhood.

Last week, police launched scores of simultaneous raids, detaining 115 suspected members of the group who were allegedly planning attacks targeting Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

Officials said the group had called for action, particularly against non-Muslims, during the celebrations.

ISIS has carried out a series of deadly attacks in Turkey in recent years, including a shooting at an Istanbul nightclub during New Year celebrations on January 1, 2017, which killed 39 people.

The terror group is also believed to have inspired the antisemitic shooting attack in Sydney, Australia, earlier this month, in which two terrorists — allegedly father and son Sajid and Navid Akram — killed 15 people and wounded 40 more, at an outdoor Hanukkah celebration.