Istanbul Operation Against ISIS, Planner of Santa Maria Church Attack Captured
The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the General Directorate of Security captured Viskhan Soltamatıov, one of the planners of the attack on the Santa Maria Italian Church, in a successful operation against the terrorist organization ISIS in Istanbul. The capture of Soltamatıov, who has connections to the Khorasan Province (ISKP) elements that control the activities of the terrorist organization ISIS in Turkey, also brought a significant blow to ISIS’s strategic goals in Turkey.
A Joint Operation by MIT and Security
Following the attack on the Santa Maria Italian Church, MIT and the General Directorate of Security continued to investigate the ISIS connections behind the attack. As a result of the intelligence data obtained by MIT and its meticulous work, the people who organized the attack were identified. At the same time, it was determined that the so-called Khorasan Province (ISKP) elements of ISIS were located in Istanbul and that these people planned the attack. Responsible for the procurement of the weapon used in the attack and one of the planners of the operation, Viskhan Soltamatıov was captured as a result of a joint operation by security units.
It was determined that Soltamatıov was operating as an extension of the Afghanistan-based ISIS organization in Turkey and fulfilling his responsibilities within this structure. Soltamatıov, who was learned to have played an important role in the attack plans, especially targeting religious targets such as churches and synagogues, also stood out as a key figure in the preparation stages before the attack.
ISIS Activities in Turkey
ISIS’ presence and operations in Turkey have been seriously weakened in recent years as a result of the intensive work of the MIT and the Police. With the capture of Soltamatıov, important information was also obtained about how the organization’s recruitment, financing and logistics operations were carried out in Turkey. It is known that ISIS directed its elements, especially those actively operating in regions such as Syria and Afghanistan, to Turkey and planned operations with these elements in large cities, especially Istanbul.
In Soltamatıov’s statement, details about ISIS’ activities in Turkey were also revealed. It was learned that the Khorasan Province in particular was working on plans to attack some religious sites and diplomatic missions in Turkey. Soltamatıov’s statement also revealed the organization’s strategies for recruiting in Turkey, its financial resources, and how it used these resources.
MIT’s Intelligence and Risk Analyses
MIT closely followed Soltamatıov’s activities in Turkey and determined that he had come to Turkey to carry out attacks. As a result of the intelligence work, it was understood that Soltamatıov was operating in connection with elements of the Khorasan Province. It was revealed that these elements were planning attacks on strategic targets such as synagogues, churches, and the Iraqi Embassy in Turkey. MIT accelerated its operations in order to prevent these attacks from taking place.
December 2023 was a period when large-scale attacks on Turkey were planned. In the studies conducted by MIT, it was determined that ISIS was planning to organize attacks against synagogues and churches in Turkey during this period. In addition, it was determined that they were preparing an attack on the Iraqi Embassy. During this process, many ISIS members were captured, digital materials were seized and the organization’s activities in Turkey were largely stopped.
The Capture of Soltamatıov
The capture of Viskhan Soltamatıov is considered an important victory in Turkey’s fight against ISIS. Soltamatıov was a name directly connected to the organization’s structure in Turkey and was responsible as one of the planners of the attack on the Italian Church of Santa Maria. The fact that he was also the person who provided the weapon used in the attack shows his importance within the organization.
The information provided by Soltamatıov also deciphered ISIS’s future attack plans in Turkey. It was understood that the organization was targeting attacks on religious sites such as synagogues and churches and that its efforts to disrupt the peace in Turkey were continuing. However, as a result of the successful work of MİT and the Police, these plans were foiled.
