Five Islamic State suspects were captured on March 20 as they tried to enter Turkey from Syria, state-run news agency Anadolu said Monday, citing security sources. All five suspects were foreigners, according to the report
Turkish border guards detained three of the suspects at Gorentas as they attempted to enter Turkey from southern Hatay province. Border guards arrested the two suspects including a woman at the Ermis crossing in southeastern Gaziantep province, Anadolu said.
All five suspects were later handed to Turkish police, according to Anadolu.
Turkish authorities have blamed IS for four bombings in the NATO member state since last June, the most recent of which killed 12 German tourists visiting Istanbul's Sultanahmet historical area in January.
Turkish courts have said they have arrested more than 800 people to date for alleged IS links.
Turkey, which has long been accused of turning a blind eye to jihadists in transit, has now significantly tightened up controls along its 900 kilometre border with conflict-wracked Syria.
