ANKARA, May 31 (Xinhua) -- At least 36 suspects linked to the Islamic State(IS) were arrested in Turkey on Thursday, Anadolu Agency reported.

A total of 20 suspects, including Turkish, Iraqi and Syrian nationals, were arrested during an operation launched by northwestern Sakarya prosecutors.

The raids were carried out by anti-terror, intelligence and special forces in 11 provinces.

The suspects have been charged with being senior IS members, recruiting for and financing the group.

Separately, 16 suspects were detained in Etimesgut district of capital Ankara on Thursday over aiding IS group by illegally providing out-of-school education to children.

Security forces have been involved in a long-running campaign to clear IS terrorists from Turkey.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on May 11 that Turkey has mobilized all its national capacity in the fight against IS terrorist organization, and shall intensify its efforts in cooperation with other countries.