SECURITY — June 17, 2026
Turkey Arrests Senior ISIS Khorasan Media Official
Ahmad Kazanci, also known by the aliases Abu Ubaida and Abu Ibrahim, had taken over media duties after a prior arrest and admitted during questioning to training and propaganda work following travel to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — corroborated by Ariana News — 2 min read
Turkish authorities have arrested a man identified as a senior media official for ISIS Khorasan in a cross-border operation.
The detainee, Ahmad Kazanci, also known by the aliases Abu Ubaida and Abu Ibrahim, was taken into custody by Turkey's National Intelligence Organization near the border.
Officials said Kazanci had assumed responsibility for the group's media and propaganda activities in Turkey after the earlier arrest of Ozgur Altun.
According to statements from the operation, Kazanci traveled from Turkey to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, joined ISIS camps there, and helped facilitate the movement of group members from Turkey.
He reportedly survived airstrikes targeting ISIS positions in Pakistan before attempting to re-enter Turkey illegally.
During interrogation, Kazanci confirmed his membership in the group, his training, his contact with Altun, and his role in media operations.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Two independent outlets corroborate the core event based on official Turkish MIT/Anadolu Agency reporting with consistent details on identity, background, and activities.
The source language reads straight.
Independent web corroboration
An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- MIT conducted the arrest of Ahmad Kazanci in a cross-border operation near Turkey's borders.
- Kazanci is an ISIS media official who assumed responsibilities after Ozgur Altun's arrest.
- Kazanci had traveled to and been active in ISIS camps in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
- He was involved in facilitating the transfer of ISIS members from Turkey to the Afghanistan-Pakistan area.
- He survived prior airstrikes in Pakistan and intended to re-enter Turkey illegally.
Filed by 2 outlets
Afghanistan International
Originating
Reported straight
Reported straight
Ariana News
Reported straight
Reported straight
Filed under
Security — ISIS Khorasan, Turkey, MIT, Ahmad Kazanci, Afghanistan-Pakistan border
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