Four suspected senior Islamic State extremists have been arrested in an operation in the coastal Turkish city of Izmir, Turkey's state-run news agency says.
The suspects include the group's so-called emir, or ruler, of Deir el-Zour, a major city in eastern Syria, with the other three described as senior operatives within the extremist group, the Anadolu Agency said on Friday.
Hurriyet newspaper said the four were captured as part of a joint operation by Turkey's intelligence agency and police anti-terrorism units.
The suspects were hiding among a group of Syrian refugees planning to cross into Europe, the newspaper reported.
The four are being questioned by anti-terrorism police in Izmir.
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Police in Izmir confirmed the operation but could not immediately provide details.
