Turkish security forces have detained at least 23 people in an operation against suspected al-Qaeda militants in northwestern Turkey.

The operation took place Wednesday in Bursa province, 90 kilometers south of Istanbul, the Anatolia agency reported. The governor's office in Bursa had no immediate comment.

Suicide bombers linked to al-Qaeda hit Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, in 2003. The attacks targeted two synagogues, the British Consulate and a British bank, killing 58 people. In February, a court sentenced seven people to life in prison for the bombings.

Turkish police also detained 10 suspected al-Qaeda linked militants during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Turkey in November. Police also seized bomb-making material, but there was no indication that the group intended to target the pontiff.

RH