Turkey's MIT captures ISIS‑K media operative Ahmet Kazancı

Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) carried out a border‑area operation against the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) media network and seized Ahmet Kazancı, known by the code names “Abu Ubeyde” and “Abu Ibrahim”. Investigators determined that Kazancı had traveled from Turkey to the Afghanistan‑Pakistan region, joined ISKP camps, received armed and ideological training and participated in the group’s media and propaganda activities. He worked closely with Özgür Altun, the previously arrested ISKP media chief coded “Abu Yasir Al Turki”, and assumed Altun’s responsibilities after his capture.

Kazancı survived an air strike on ISKP elements in Pakistan, then re‑entered Turkey by illegal routes intending to continue recruitment and media work. During interrogation he confessed to managing the flow of militants from Turkey to the region, detailing the recruitment network, training programmes and planned propaganda operations targeting Turkey. MIT said the operation disrupted ISKP’s plans for attacks in Turkey and exposed its personnel‑transfer network.

The capture underscores Turkish authorities’ focus on dismantling foreign terrorist networks that seek to exploit the country’s borders for recruitment and media influence.