Turkey detains 23
ANKARA: Turkish forces have detained 23 suspected Islamic State jihadists along with 21 children who were trying to illegally cross over from Syria, the army said Sunday. The suspects, whose nationalities were not disclosed, were captured on Saturday as they tried enter the Elbeyli district of Turkey’s southern Kilis province. “Twenty-three people suspected of being Daesh terror group members, together with 21 children, were caught,” said the army in a statement, without giving any other details. Turkey has over the last year been told by its western allies to urgently step up efforts to stop the flow of jihadists across its borders to and from Syria. After a string of deadly attacks inside Turkey blamed on IS in the last months, Ankara has intensified efforts to improve border security, with the army reporting the capture of IS militants almost daily.