Turkish authorities detained numerous Islamic State (IS) suspects in large-scale anti-terrorist operations carried out across the country after the deadly suicide attack in Istanbul on Tuesday.

The suicide bomber, who was identified as a Syrian linked to IS, blew himself up in the popular tourist area of Sultanahmet square in central Istanbul on Tuesday morning.

The terrorist attack claimed the lives of ten people, the majority of whom German tourists and left fifteen other injured.

According to Daily Sabah, Turkish security forces detained 59 people in operations conducted simultaneously in four cities in the southern and southeastern provinces of Kilis, Mersin, Adana and Sanliurfa.

A total of 21 people were detained in Sanliurfa province, while four other suspected of links with IS were arrested in Kilis, two of them minors, who had entered Turkey illegally.

Another nine suspects were detained in Mersin, three of whom were charged with terrorism and arrested.

Nine suspects, five of whom foreigners,were detained in Adana.

Three Russian citizens suspected of links with IS were detained in the city of Antalya on Wednesday, while five other suspects were arrested in Konya province.

Anadolu Agency informs that sixteen suspects, among whom a Turk and fifteen Syrians, were detained in Ankara province on Tuesday for allegedly preparing a high-profile attack.

Another six suspects believed to have recruited militants for IS were arrested in the province of Izmir on Wednesday, Hurriyet Daily informs.