Turkey Arrests Six Over 'Minting Coins For Islamic State'

Turkish authorities say they have arrested six suspected Islamic State (IS) militants on suspicion of minting coins for use in areas controlled by the extremist group.

The governor's office in the southeastern region of Gaziantep bordering Syria said on October 7 that coin-making equipment were also seized.

The suspects include foreigners of unspecified nationality.

It was unclear when they were arrested.

According to local media reports, 56 coins in four different sizes were seized.

IS militants seized large swaths of Syria and Iraq in a lightning offensive in June 2014.

There have been reports that the group is keen to impose its own currency in the areas it controls.

Turkey has been cracking down on IS activities in the country, detaining dozens of suspects in the past months.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP