Striking fact about the ISIS member who planned an attack on synagogues in Istanbul: He was receiving a disability pension

Security forces took action regarding ISIS members who were determined to be preparing for an attack on synagogues, churches, and shopping and entertainment centers in Istanbul in November 2023.

Intelligence information received from France also confirmed this plan. It was determined that places such as the Neve Shalom Synagogue, the Ahrida Synagogue, the Or-Ahayim Balat Jewish Hospital, and the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae were specifically targeted. For this reason, intense security measures were taken around the relevant places of worship.

DETECTED WHILE CONDUCTING RECONNAISSANCE

On November 28, 2023, two ISIS members conducting reconnaissance around the Or-Ahayim Balat Jewish Hospital and the Ahrida Synagogue in Fatih, Istanbul, were detected.

Mıjbel Al-Shuwaiki, codenamed 'Abu Yakin Al-Iraqi', and Mohammed Khlaf Ibrahim, codenamed 'Abu Leys', walked apart from each other to avoid being noticed while wandering in front of the Ahrida Synagogue and taking photos of the surroundings. Police identified them as a result of investigations and took the suspects into custody.

SECRET PLANS REVEALED

According to a report by Timur Soykan from the BirGün newspaper, the suspects' identities were reached after police investigations. Mıjbel Al-Shuwaiki, who lived in Sakarya with a residence permit, returned to Sakarya from Istanbul by bus after conducting the reconnaissance. The other suspect, Mohammed Khlaf Ibrahim, had come to Istanbul from Balıkesir.

'YOU GRANTED ME A PENSION'

Mohammed Khlaf Ibrahim, codenamed 'Abu Leys', who was taken into custody in Balıkesir, claimed in his statement that he was 70 percent visually impaired and was not an ISIS member. Ibrahim, who entered Turkey illegally, stated, "I made the necessary applications due to my health problems. I am still receiving a disability pension from the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay)," indicating that he had been granted aid by the state.

ADMITTED TO CONDUCTING RECONNAISSANCE

Mıjbel Al-Shuwaiki, codenamed 'Abu Yakin Al-Iraqi', who participated in the reconnaissance with Ibrahim, became a confessor. He said that he fought in the ranks of ISIS in Mosul between 2014 and 2017 and came to Turkey illegally in 2017. Al-Shuwaiki stated that he took photos during the reconnaissance and forwarded them to the organization's leaders.

PLANNING AN ATTACK ON A TEMPLE

Al-Shuwaiki said, "I am a member of the Salman Farisi Battalion, which was established as the Turkey branch of ISIS. The emir of this battalion is a person named 'Abdulkerim'. In October 2023, I was called by a person codenamed 'Abu Tayibe' and asked to conduct reconnaissance on synagogues in Istanbul. I came to Istanbul and conducted reconnaissance together with 'Abu Leys'. After taking the photos, I forwarded them to the organization."

Al-Shuwaiki stated that after the reconnaissance, the organization's leaders said that an attack on a temple by two people who would die in a clash would create a stir. However, he stated that he had no information about how the attack would be carried out or by whom it would be organized. Al-Shuwaiki said that one of the people who would carry out the attack could be 'Abu Leys'.

INTENSE SECURITY MEASURES

Following the revelation of this incident, security measures were increased around various places of worship, primarily synagogues and churches in Istanbul. Security forces stated that they are on alert against any attempted attack across the city.

News Source: 12punto