ISTANBUL, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police on Thursday detained at least 55 people suspected of links with the Islamic State (IS) in anti-terror operations in Istanbul and the western city of Izmir, local media reported.
Simultaneous operations were launched in 12 places in Istanbul, in which 45 foreign nationals reportedly planning to carry out attacks were captured, the state-run Anadolu Agency said.
According to CNNTurk, Izmir public prosecutor issued detention warrants for 11 suspected IS members, whose nationalities were not revealed.
Police detained 10 suspects while the rest one was still on the run, the report said.
Digital material and documents linked to the group were also seized in the operations, the reports said.
Security measures are being stepped up in Istanbul's Beyoglu district as the New Year sets in.
Ismail Kilic, the district police chief, announced on Wednesday that New Year celebrations at the iconic Taksim Square were banned this year due to security reasons.
Abdulkadir Masharipov, a Uzbek national, shot dead 39 people at Istanbul's Reina nightclub on New Year's Eve this year.
The IS claimed responsibility soon after the shooting spree.
