ISTANBUL, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police said on Monday they had detained 43 people for their alleged links to the Islamic State (IS) during a series of operations in Istanbul, according to local media.

The state-run Anadolu agency said counter-terrorism units launched simultaneous raids in 15 locations across the city on Friday to capture "foreign members of the IS."

The detainees were believed to be members of social media groups in connection with the IS and have contact with people in conflict zones, Anadolu added.

The agency has not revealed the nationalities of the suspects.

Over 300 people have lost their lives in the attacks over the years that were blamed on the IS.