Turkish security forces have detained more than 100 people suspected of links to Islamic State, saying they had foiled plans to carry out attacks during the Christmas and New Year period.

According to the BBC, prosecutors in the city of Istanbul said coordinated raids were carried out at 124 locations across the city, leading to the arrest of 115 suspects. Firearms, ammunition and what officials described as organisational material were seized. Authorities added that efforts were continuing to locate a further 22 individuals believed to be involved.

The local prosecutor’s office also said the group had been preparing attacks this week, with a particular focus on gatherings involving non-Muslim communities. Investigators said the suspects were in contact with Islamic State operatives based outside Turkey.

The operation follows a separate intelligence-led raid earlier this week near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, in which a Turkish national alleged to hold a senior role within the group’s regional network was detained the BBC adds. The same individual, although unnamed, is accused of helping to plan attacks on civilians.

Turkey has long faced a threat from Islamic State, given its proximity to conflict zones in the Middle East. The country shares a lengthy but highly porous border with Syria, where the group continues to maintain a presence despite years of military pressure.

Ankara, however, has pledged to intensify co-operation with western partners in Europe and the US to dismantle remaining Islamic State cells, as the US steps up air strikes on the group’s positions in Syria following a recent deadly attack that led to the death of three American personnel.