• Seven Turkish police officers were injured in a raid against suspected IS militants in Yalova.
• The operation in Elmalik village involved special forces from Bursa province.
• Police had prior intelligence of potential attacks targeting non-Muslims during the holiday season.
• Authorities have detained numerous suspected IS members in recent weeks.
• The injured officers are reported to be in a stable condition following treatment.

Seven Turkish police officers were wounded during an operation against suspected Islamic State (IS) militants in Yalova province on Monday. The operation targeted a house in Elmalik village after police received intelligence about the presence of IS members. As the raid commenced, a shootout ensued, resulting in the injuries. The injured officers have been taken to hospitals but are not believed to be in serious condition, according to Indiatimes, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

The operation was supported by special forces deployed from the neighboring province of Bursa, which intensified security measures in the area. Local authorities restricted access around the site, and nearby schools were closed as a precaution. The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office had previously indicated that IS militants might be planning attacks specifically against non-Muslims during the holiday season, which underscored the operation's urgency. This information is corroborated by Al Jazeera and Reuters.

In recent weeks, Turkish authorities have escalated their operations against IS, detaining 115 suspects in a single week as they were allegedly prepping for attacks during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Almost 19,000 people suspected of connections to IS have been arrested since 2013, reflecting ongoing concerns about the group's activities in Turkey, according to Indiatimes, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.