Suspected ISIL militant arrested in Turkey’s south over planned US Consulate attack

KAHRAMANMARAŞ – Anadolu Agency

A suspected militant of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), who is thought to have planned an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, was arrested by court on Dec. 15 after being detained in the southern Turkish province of Kahramanmaraş.

Syrian citizen Muhammed Raghil al-Hardani was detained in the Kahramanmaraş bus terminal upon intelligence that he planned a suicide bomb attack on the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul.

Police intelligence units determined that al-Hardani was planning an attack and was set to go to an ISIL cell in the southeastern province of Gaziantep, from the Black Sea province of Samsun, to plan the attack.

Security forces followed al-Hardani and a number of people he was traveling with before detaining him in Kahramanmaraş. 

One other detained Syrian citizen was released after giving his testimony at the security directorate, while al-Hardani was arrested by the court.

The U.S. Consulate in Istanbul was closed on Dec. 9 due to a “possible security threat” and consular services were cancelled. The consulate had also urged U.S. citizens to remain vigilant to ensure their safety.

The U.S. Embassy in the Turkish capital Ankara also decided to limit its services on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 due to a “possible security threat.”