Turkey captures 'most wanted' IS militant suspect in Syria

Turkey captures 'most wanted' IS militant suspect in Syria
Turkish authorities allege the suspect was plotting a large-scale attack.
1 min read
15 June, 2021
The suspect is alleged to have been a financial officer for IS [Getty]

Turkish intelligence forces captured this week an alleged Islamic State group member in Syria who they said was plotting a major cross-border attack.

Kasim Guler, known by his nom-de-guerre Abu Usame Al-Turki, is one of Turkey's most wanted terrorists, state news agency Anadolu reported.

The Turkish national allegedly held a high-level position in IS, acting as a financial officer for operations in Turkey, Russia, and Europe.

Authorities accuse Guler of planning to enter Turkey illegally with explosives and weapons, a source told Anadolu.

Agents from Turkey's National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) surveilled the suspect in Syria for some time before apprehending him and bringing him into Turkey, the source said.

It is unclear whether Guler was captured in a Turkish-occupied area of Syria or elsewhere.

Turkey is alleged to frequently commit extraterritorial kidnappings or illegal renditions, according to rights groups.

Ankara has "done illegal renditions from more countries in the last six years than any other county in the world", Nate Schenkkan of Freedom House said earlier this year.

The vast majority have targeted accused supporters of cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara accuses of leading a terrorist organisation that attempted to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016.

At least 100 alleged abductions have allegedly taken place.