Ankara, June 17 (SANA) Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has captured a suspected senior operative of ISIS-Khorasan, the Afghanistan-based branch of the Terrorist group, and brought him to Türkiye, security sources told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.
The suspect, identified as Ahmet Kazanci and known by the aliases Abu Ubeyde and Abu Ibrahim, was detained in an intelligence operation targeting the group’s media network, according to the sources.
Security officials said Kazanci assumed responsibility for ISIS-K’s media activities linked to Türkiye after the arrest of his predecessor, Ozgur Altun, also known as Abu Yasir al-Turki.
According to the sources, Kazanci traveled from Türkiye to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, where he joined ISIS-K and became involved in activities at the group’s camps.
Investigators said he worked alongside Altun in facilitating the movement of recruits from Türkiye to the region and later took over aspects of the organization’s operations following Altun’s capture.
The sources said intelligence gathered by MIT indicated that Kazanci survived airstrikes targeting ISIS militants in Pakistan and later sought to re-enter Türkiye illegally to continue activities on behalf of the group.
He was subsequently detained in an operation near the border and transferred to Türkiye.
During questioning, Kazanci acknowledged his association with Altun and described the military and ideological training he received within the organization, according to the sources. He also admitted involvement in media and propaganda activities carried out on behalf of the group.
Security officials said the operation disrupted alleged ISIS-K plans targeting Türkiye and helped uncover networks used to facilitate the movement of recruits to the organization.
ABD
