Türkiye captures 10 Daesh suspects in Syria, including Ankara train station attack figure

Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) announced on Saturday that it had captured 10 Daesh suspects in Syria during a joint operation with Syrian intelligence services, according to security sources. Among those detained is a suspect linked to the 2015 Ankara train station bombing, which killed over 100 people. No further details about the operation were immediately released. The 2015 attack, which targeted a peace rally near Ankara’s central train station, remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in modern Turkish history.

Ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation

The operation underscores Türkiye’s continued commitment to cross-border counter-terrorism efforts, even as the country faces multiple security challenges, including the Iran war and instability in Syria. Türkiye has long cooperated with Syrian intelligence services since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, despite lacking formal diplomatic relations. The capture of a suspect tied to the Ankara bombing is a significant achievement for victims’ families who have sought justice for nearly 11 years.

Türkiye’s broader counter-terrorism posture

Türkiye has been actively targeting Daesh remnants in Syria and Iraq, as well as conducting operations against the PKK and its affiliates. The joint operation with Syrian intelligence suggests a pragmatic security partnership that transcends political differences. For Turkish officials, ensuring that terrorists involved in past attacks are brought to justice remains a top priority, regardless of the passage of time.