Turkey’s Fight Against DAESH

Strategically positioned next to Iraq and Syria and located along key transit routes for Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs), Türkiye became the country most exposed to the threat of DAESH. A country held up as a model across the Islamic world, Türkiye also found itself among the primary targets of DAESH—a terrorist group that draws its power from the manipulation of religious sentiment.

Although DAESH began its attacks in Türkiye in March 2014, Türkiye had already taken a clear stance by designating the group a terrorist organization on 30 September 2013. In subsequent DAESH attacks, 304 Turkish citizens were killed and 1,347 injured. As the country most severely impacted by DAESH terrorism, Türkiye has played a leading role from the very beginning in the global fight against the group, whose reach rapidly extended to Western nations as well.

Türkiye has also been at the forefront of efforts to curb the movement of DAESH-linked FTFs, taking decisive measures at national, regional, and international levels.

This book examines the emergence and expansion of DAESH, the threats it posed to Türkiye and the broader region, and the country’s multi-dimensional response. Highlighting the Euphrates Shield Operation—carried out by Türkiye, the only NATO ally to engage DAESH in direct combat and lose soldiers on the battlefield—the book provides valuable insights for global counter-terrorism strategies.