Turkey detains more than 200 suspects ahead of NATO summit in Ankara, under investigation for links to terrorist organizations

More than 200 people have been arrested by Turkish police, which announced on Tuesday that the detainees are suspected of links to the militant group Islamic State and to banned far-left organizations.

These operations were carried out shortly before the NATO summit, which will be held in Ankara on July 7 and 8.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office in Ankara, 209 people were detained in the capital, while another 32 remain at large.

Of those arrested, 185 are suspected of being part of several far-left organizations that Ankara considers terrorist groups.

Among these groups is the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), which has previously claimed responsibility for several attacks carried out in Turkey.

Authorities said the operations targeted several groups and were part of broader security measures.

Late on Monday, the Office of the Governor of Ankara announced that all protests would be banned from June 28 until the end of the NATO summit.

Leaders of the 32 member countries are expected to attend the summit, including U.S. President Donald Trump.

The meeting will take place during a sensitive period for European and Euro-Atlantic security.

In recent months, the Alliance has come under pressure, partly because of changes in U.S. policy that go beyond demands to strengthen NATO’s European pillar.

Among the main issues expected to be addressed at the summit are defense and deterrence planning, military spending targets and burden-sharing among allies, continued support for Ukraine — including the delivery of equipment, financing mechanisms and the long-term strengthening of resilience — as well as the future direction of the Alliance.

Last week, the defense ministers of the member states held their final meeting before the summit in Ankara.

Secretary General Mark Rutte said that “good progress” had been made on NATO’s priorities.

“To spend more, and better, on the forces and capabilities we need to defend every inch of Alliance territory. Today around the table, I heard allies, one after another, explaining how they are increasing investment in defense,” he said.

The secretary general also underlined the importance of European allies and Canada taking greater responsibility for their own defense, supported by American power.

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