Security Operation Against the Terror Organization ISIS in Yalova (December 2025)

Security Operation Against the Terrorist Organization DAESH in Yalova (2025), conducted on 29 December 2025 by the Yalova Provincial Security Directorate against the terrorist organization DAESH, targeted an address on the road to Elmalık Village in İsmet Paşa Neighborhood, Seher Street. During the operation, gunfire opened by DAESH members resulted in the martyrdom of police officers İlker Pehlivan, Turgut Külünk and Yasin Koçyiğit, and injured eight police officers and one village guard.

Execution of the Operation

The operation was launched at 02.00 on 29 December 2025 by the Yalova Provincial Security Directorate as part of ongoing efforts against the terrorist organization DAESH, targeting an address on the road to Elmalık Village. According to statements issued by the Ministry of Interior’s Security and Emergency Coordination Center (GAMER), the operation was part of a nationwide coordinated security operation conducted simultaneously at 108 addresses across 15 provinces on the same day.

During the operation, DAESH members at the location opened fire on security forces, triggering an armed confrontation. Authorities stated that due to the presence of women and children at the site, the operation was conducted in a controlled and sensitive manner, resulting in the safe evacuation of five women and six children. The operation was declared completed at 09.40.

Official statements confirmed that six DAESH members were killed in the confrontation, and all were identified as Turkish citizens.

Casualties and Injuries

According to a statement by Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, police officers İlker Pehlivan, Turgut Külünk and Yasin Koçyiğit were martyred as a result of gunfire opened by DAESH terrorists during the operation. In the same confrontation, eight police officers and one village guard were injured and transported to hospitals by ambulance. Authorities reported that the health conditions of the injured security personnel were stable.

Security Measures

Extensive security measures were implemented in the area to ensure public safety. Civilian and vehicle access to the region was prohibited, and gas and electricity supplies were cut for security reasons. It was also announced that special operations police units from Bursa provided support to the operation.

Suspension of Educational Activities

The Yalova Governorate announced that education was suspended for one day, on 29 December 2025, at five schools located in the area where the confrontation occurred. The decision was taken to ensure the safety of students and education staff.

Media Ban and Counter-Disinformation

In connection with events arising from the security operation against the terrorist organization DAESH in Yalova, the Yalova Peace Criminal Court issued a temporary media ban. The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), in a statement on its social media account, emphasized the importance of refraining from broadcasting any information other than official announcements by authorities, and urged media service providers to act in accordance with responsible broadcasting principles under relevant legislation.

The Presidential Communication Directorate’s Center for Countering Disinformation (DMM) reported that false, unverified and deliberately misleading content had been identified on social media and other platforms regarding the Yalova operation. The statement affirmed that all relevant institutions were working in coordination to safeguard public peace and security, and stressed that the public should rely exclusively on official announcements.

Official Statements

Ministry of Interior Statements (GAMER)

Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, in a statement issued through the Ministry of Interior’s Security and Emergency Coordination Center (GAMER), stated that the operation in Yalova against the terrorist organization DAESH was part of a series of nationwide security operations conducted in recent times. Yerlikaya announced that within the past month, 138 suspects had been arrested and 97 suspects had been placed under judicial control in operations targeting DAESH.

Yerlikaya confirmed that at 02.00 on 29 December 2025, coordinated operations were carried out simultaneously at 108 addresses across 15 provinces, one of which targeted an address in İsmet Paşa Neighborhood, Seher Street in Yalova. According to the statement, during the operation at this address, DAESH members opened fire on security forces, resulting in the martyrdom of three police officers and injuries to eight police officers and one village guard.

Minister Yerlikaya stated that due to the presence of women and children at the location, the intervention was carried out in a controlled manner, and five women and six children were safely evacuated. It was also confirmed that six DAESH members were killed in the confrontation, all of whom were Turkish citizens, and that the operation concluded at 09.40.

Judicial Proceedings Statements

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç, in a statement on his social media account, expressed condolences to the martyred police officers and wished swift recovery to the injured officers. Tunç confirmed that an investigation had been launched and that five public prosecutors had been assigned to the case, with five suspects taken into custody. He added, “The investigation is being conducted comprehensively and meticulously. May the souls of our honored martyrs be at peace and may their families and our beloved nation be granted strength.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Statement

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a statement on his social media account regarding the security operation against the terrorist organization DAESH in Yalova. Erdoğan expressed condolences for the police officers martyred in the operation and wished swift recovery to the injured security personnel.

In his statement, President Erdoğan said: “We pray to Almighty Allah for mercy for our heroic security personnel who were martyred in this morning’s operation against the terrorist organization DAESH in Yalova. We offer patience to their families, and condolences to the Security Directorate, our country and our nation. I pray to our Lord for the swift recovery of the injured police officers.”

In the same statement, Erdoğan added regarding the fight against terrorism: “We will continue our determined, multidimensional and uncompromising struggle against bloodstained criminals who threaten the peace of our nation and the security of our state, both within and beyond our borders. May our martyrs’ souls be at peace and their resting places be in paradise.”

Condolence Messages

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Numan Kurtulmuş, in a message posted on his social media account, said: “We pray to Allah for mercy for our heroic police officers martyred in the operation against the terrorist organization DAESH in Yalova, swift recovery for the injured, and patience for their esteemed families. May our beloved nation be granted strength.”

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, in a statement on his social media account, said: “We pray to Allah for mercy for our heroic police officers martyred in the operation against the terrorist organization DAESH in Yalova, and swift recovery for the injured police officers and village guard. We offer patience and condolences to the families of our martyrs, the Security Directorate and our beloved nation.”

Presidential Communication Director Burhanettin Duran, in his social media post, said: “We pray to Allah for mercy for our heroic police officers martyred in the operation against the terrorist organization DAESH in Yalova, and swift recovery for the injured security personnel. Our struggle against all terrorist organizations targeting the peace and security of our beloved nation will continue without interruption, sustained by the resolve of our state and the sacrifice of our security forces. No structure aiming to undermine our unity and solidarity will succeed. May our nation and the Security Directorate be granted strength.”

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş said: “We pray to Allah for mercy for our heroic police officers martyred during the operation against the DAESH terrorist organization in Yalova, and patience for their grieving families. I wish our injured police officers a swift recovery. There should be no doubt that we will continue our fight against terrorism with determination. May our beloved nation be granted strength.”

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan said: “We pray to Allah for mercy for our heroic police officers martyred in the operation against the DAESH terrorist organization in Yalova, and condolences to their esteemed families and the Security Directorate. We wish swift recovery to the injured police officers and village guard, and offer our condolences to the nation. May the resting places of our martyrs be paradise and their ranks be exalted.”

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, in his message, offered prayers for mercy for the police officers martyred in the confrontation during the DAESH operation in Yalova, patience for their families and relatives, and swift recovery for the injured police officers and village guards.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, in a message posted on his social media account, said: “We pray to Allah for mercy for our heroic police officers İlker Pehlivan, Turgut Külünk and Yasin Koçyiğit who were martyred in the operation against the terrorist organization DAESH in Yalova, and swift recovery for our injured security personnel. May our beloved nation be granted strength.”

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, in his social media post, offered prayers for mercy for the police officers martyred in the operation against the DAESH terrorist organization in Yalova, condolences to their families and the nation, and said: “I pray to our Lord for the swift recovery of the injured police officers. May the resting places of our martyrs be paradise and their ranks be exalted.”

Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, in his message, said: “This morning, in a treacherous attack by DAESH terrorists in Yalova, our three heroic police officers, İlker Pehlivan, Turgut Külünk and Yasin Koçyiğit, were martyred. We offer mercy to our heroic martyrs, patience to their grieving families, the Security Directorate and our beloved nation. May the ranks of our martyrs be exalted.”

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said: “I pray to Allah for mercy for our heroic police officers martyred in the operation against the DAESH terrorist organization in Yalova. I offer condolences and patience to their families, relatives, the Security Directorate and our beloved nation. I wish swift recovery to the injured police officers and village guard, and hope they regain their health as soon as possible. We stand always beside all our security forces who carry out their duties at the cost of their lives in the fight against terrorism.”

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin said: “I pray to the Almighty Allah for mercy for our heroic police officers martyred in the confrontation during the operation against the DAESH terrorist organization in Yalova, and patience for their families and relatives. I also wish swift recovery to the injured police officers and village guard. May the resting places of our martyrs be paradise and their ranks be exalted, God willing.”

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu said: “I pray to Allah for mercy for our heroic police officers martyred in the operation against the DAESH terrorist organization in Yalova, and swift recovery for our injured security personnel. Our state will continue its determined struggle against all terrorist organizations that threaten the peace of our nation. May our nation and the Security Directorate be granted strength.”

Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, in his social media post, expressed condolences to the families and the Security Directorate of the police officers martyred in the operation, wished swift recovery to the injured police officers and village guard, and emphasized that the fight against all terrorist organizations threatening the peace of our nation will continue with determination. He added: “May our beloved nation be granted strength.”

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı expressed condolences for the police officers martyred in the operation, wished patience and strength to their families and the Security Directorate, and said: “I pray for the swift recovery of the injured police officers and village guard. May our beloved nation be granted strength.”

Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, in expressing condolences for the martyred police officers, said: “May their resting places be paradise and their ranks be exalted, God willing. I offer patience and condolences to their esteemed families, the Security Directorate and our beloved nation. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured police officers and village guard. Our state stands firm against all forms of terrorism.”

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu expressed condolences for the police officers martyred in the confrontation during the operation, wished patience and strength to their families and the nation, and said: “I pray for the swift recovery of the injured police officers and offer my gratitude to every member of our dedicated Security Directorate. Our fight against terrorism will continue with determination for the peace and security of our nation.”

Deputy Chairman and Spokesperson of the AK Party, Ömer Çelik, in his social media post, said: “We pray to Allah for mercy for our heroic police officers martyred during the operation against the DAESH terrorist organization in Yalova. May their resting places be paradise. May their esteemed families, our heroic security forces and our nation be granted strength. We pray for the swift recovery of the injured police officers and village guard. Terrorism is the enemy of humanity. We will continue our determined struggle against all forms of terrorism.”

Acting Chairman of the AK Party Efkan Ala, in his social media post, said: “We pray to Allah for mercy for our heroic personnel martyred in the operation against the terrorist organization DAESH, and swift recovery for our injured colleagues. May our beloved nation and the Security Directorate be granted strength.”

Official Ceremony in Yalova

An official ceremony was held in Yalova for our police officers Turgut Külünk, Yasin Koçyiğit, and İlker Pehlivan, who were killed in action during an operation against the terrorist organization DAESH. The ceremony was attended by representatives of public institutions and security forces in Yalova. During the ceremony, it was stated that the martyrs had lost their lives while on duty, safeguarding the peace and security of the Turkish nation.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who spoke at the ceremony, stated that the fallen police officers carried out their duties without hesitation and sacrificed their lives in service to the homeland. Yerlikaya emphasized that the martyrs served with the understanding that their remains would forever be part of the soil of the homeland.

Yerlikaya underscored that every step taken by the martyrs was marked by prayer and love for the homeland, and continued: "They were the soldiers of the hearth of martyrs who accepted death for the sake of the crescent. That hearth is the heart of our noble nation. In that heart reside faith, courage, and independence. Our heroic martyrs, you did not leave the summit of martyrdom unoccupied. You became the wind beneath our glorious flag, the shield of our homeland. You have been inscribed on the forehead of our noble nation as glory and honor. We are grateful to you. May our Lord be pleased with you."

"Our heroic police officers, alongside the comrades we bid farewell to today, you stood firm with patience, determination, and dignity against treacherous terrorists who used women and children as human shields. You turned the traps laid by those who ambushed our nation against them. Your nobility and heroism are not only in the courage you carried in your hearts but also in your conscience, compassion, and human dignity. May God be pleased with you all."

Yerlikaya noted that the grief of the martyrs, beginning in their families, has spread to 86 million people, and affirmed that the families of the martyrs and the wounded will never be alone. He stated that martyrdom is the highest rank, adding: "Our exalted book, the Quran, tells us that our Lord says: 'Do not call those killed on the path of Allah dead; rather, they are alive.' This glad tidings, this truth, brings solace to our hearts. The martyrs are not beneath the earth but alive on the horizon of mercy. Martyrdom, the highest rank after prophethood, is our claim, our dignity, and the greatest pillar of our love for freedom on this sacred soil."

Yerlikaya emphasized that keeping alive the memory of the martyrs and standing by the homeland they entrusted to us is a debt owed by the Turkish nation. He continued: "This debt is not paid with words but with perseverance. It is paid by never retreating, by strengthening our struggle, with loyalty and determination. Just as we have never granted opportunities to those who sought to subjugate this homeland to terrorism until today, we will never grant them any opportunity in the future. With firm and resolute steps, by the will of God, we will continue our fight against terrorism. With the support and prayers of our noble nation, our heroic Mehmetçik, police, gendarmerie, coast guard, and forest guards will continue without pause or hesitation. We will remain steadfast in honoring the legacy of the martyrs we witnessed today, without the slightest complacency. Those who lay eyes even on the pebbles of this country, those who seek to undermine our brotherhood, unity, and solidarity, those who exploit our faith and attack our values, will face only the power of our state and the unity of our nation."

The official ceremony in Yalova was attended by the families and relatives of the martyrs, along with Yalova Governor Hülya Kaya, Deputy Chairman of the AK Party and Yalova Member of Parliament Ahmet Büyükgümüş, AK Party Yalova Member of Parliament Meliha Akyol, General Commander of the Gendarmerie Orgeneral Ali Çardakçı, Commander of the Coast Guard Rear Admiral Ahmet Kendir, Director General of Police Mahmut Demirtaş, representatives of political parties, institutional directors, and numerous citizens.

Funeral Ceremony for İlker Pehlivan in Yalova

The body of martyr police officer İlker Pehlivan, wrapped in the Turkish flag, was taken to the Yalova Central Mosque following a ceremony held in the courtyard of the Yalova Police Directorate. There, the deceased’s relatives received condolences. After the funeral prayer performed by Yalova Mufti İlyas Yılmaztürk at noon, İlker Pehlivan’s body was laid to rest at the Yalova Police Martyrs’ Cemetery.

The funeral ceremony was attended by his wife Kader Pehlivan, his children Ediz Mete, Elif Begüm, and Aybüke Gökçe Pehlivan, along with numerous officials and citizens.

Funeral Ceremony for Yasin Koçyiğit in Ankara

Martyr police officer Yasin Koçyiğit was laid to rest in the Şereflikoçhisar district of Ankara. His body, wrapped in the Turkish flag, was transported from the ceremony in Yalova to the Şereflikoçhisar Imam Hatip Schools Practice Mosque.

The ceremony was attended by his mother Hatice Koçyiğit, his wife Rana Sultan Koçyiğit, his children Hatice İrem and Sıla Koçyiğit, family members, DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan, MHP Deputy Chairman Mevlüt Karakaya, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services Zafer Tarıkdaroğlu, Deputy Minister of Interior Mehmet Sağlam, Ankara Police Director Engin Dinç, Ankara Gendarmerie Commander Major General Cengiz Yıldız, members of parliament, and citizens.

After the funeral prayer, Yasin Koçyiğit’s body was laid to rest at the Çalören Neighborhood Cemetery.

Funeral Ceremony for Turgut Külünk in Düzce

The body of martyr police officer Turgut Külünk was taken to his hometown, the Akçakoca district of Düzce, following the ceremony. After receiving blessings at his father’s home on Santral Street, the funeral ceremony was held at the Akçakoca Central Mosque after the afternoon prayer.

The funeral prayer was performed by Mufti Osman Aydın, and Külünk’s body was laid to rest in the family graveyard at Kapkirli Cemetery. The ceremony was attended by his family and relatives, along with Düzce Governor Selçuk Aslan, Deputy Ministers of Interior Münir Karaloğlu and Bülent Turan, Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu, members of parliament, protocol members, comrades, and citizens.