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Ezgi Akin

Ezgi Akin

Al Monitor

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Salwan Momika, the Koran burner who sparked international tensions

Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, who was shot dead late Wednesday in Sweden, stoked international controversy with his Koran burnings.In June 2023, the ...

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Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey awaits price offer for Eurofighters, says defense official

Ankara expects a price offer for the Eurofighter jets as it seeks to modernize its air fleet.

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Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey arrests journalist as clampdown on dissent tightens

The arrest of journalist Suat Toktas comes amid increasing pressure on dissidents from various backgrounds over the past weeks.

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Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey arrests prominent talent agent over 2013 Gezi protests

Turkey arrests prominent talent agent over 2013 Gezi protests

Ayse Barim’s arrest reflects a broader campaign to silence dissent, government critics say.

previous day 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Lebanon says Israeli fire kills two as residents try to go home

Lebanon says Israeli fire kills two as residents try to go home

Lebanon's heath ministry said Israeli fire killed two people Monday and wounded 17 others in the south, in a second day of violence as residents tried...

monday 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Two Iranian dissidents at 'imminent risk' of execution: activists

Two Iranian dissidents at 'imminent risk' of execution: activists

Two Iranian men convicted of membership of the People's Mujahedin opposition group, outlawed by the Islamic republic, are at imminent risk of...

monday 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

As Turkey's Fidan visits Saudi Arabia, defense ties and Syria to top agenda

As Turkey's Fidan visits Saudi Arabia, defense ties and Syria to top agenda

The visit by Turkey's top diplomat aimed to strengthen regional cooperation on Syria and enhance defense ties between Ankara and Riyadh.

monday 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

PKK leader airs cautious optimism after talks with Turkey's pro-Kurdish party

PKK leader airs cautious optimism after talks with Turkey's pro-Kurdish party

The Kurdish militant leader expressed hope for a peaceful solution to the country’s 40-year armed conflict after four-hour talks with the...

23.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Rubio and Fidan hold first call as Turkey's role expands in Syria

Rubio and Fidan hold first call as Turkey's role expands in Syria

The congratulatory call comes as Ankara ramps up threats against the Syrian Democratic Forces.

23.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey: Death toll from ski resort blaze rises to 79

Turkey: Death toll from ski resort blaze rises to 79

As officials continue to play the blame game, the number of people detained as part of the investigation into the disaster has increased to 11.

22.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Hamas says will free four women hostages in next swap

Hamas says will free four women hostages in next swap

Hamas said Tuesday it will release four women hostages in the next swap with Israel under the terms of a fragile truce intended to bring to an end to...

21.01.2025 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Fire at Turkey ski resort kills at least 66, wounds dozens

Fire at Turkey ski resort kills at least 66, wounds dozens

Blaze strikes popular ski resort hotel, leaving at least 66 dead and dozens injured.

21.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan to discuss Russian gas supplies to Slovakia with Putin

Turkey’s Erdogan to discuss Russian gas supplies to Slovakia with Putin

The move comes after Ukraine shut down a pipeline that had long transited Russian gas to Central Europe.

20.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Israel strikes Gaza and accuses Hamas of backtracking on deal

Israel strikes Gaza and accuses Hamas of backtracking on deal

Israel carried out fresh air strikes on Gaza on Thursday and accused Hamas of backtracking on parts of a fragile ceasefire and hostage release deal...

16.01.2025 7

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkish Airlines to resume Damascus flights next week: What we know

Turkish Airlines to resume Damascus flights next week: What we know

As Turkey restarts flights to Damascus with some restrictions, its consulate in Aleppo is set to resume operations next week.

16.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey urges Syria's new leaders to take action against SDF

Turkey urges Syria's new leaders to take action against SDF

Turkey’s top diplomat called for strengthened counterterrorism cooperation following a landmark meeting with his Syrian counterpart.

16.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s ruling party hits out at Israel’s support for Kurdish-led SDF

Turkey’s ruling party hits out at Israel’s support for Kurdish-led SDF

Ankara breaks its silence as Erdogan’s ruling party delivers the first official response to Israel’s support for the Kurdish-led SDF.

14.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan targets LGBTQ+ community in push for 'Year of the Family' initiatives

Turkey’s Erdogan targets LGBTQ+ community in push for 'Year of the Family' initiatives

The Turkish president took swipe at the LGBTQ community and at social media as he announced new measures to encourage child birth.

13.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

As Turkey eases ban, Syrian refugees can now visit before deciding to return

As Turkey eases ban, Syrian refugees can now visit before deciding to return

Turkey is allowing one adult per Syrian family to return after visiting their homeland, but experts warn that easing restrictions may not lead to...

10.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

As Trump praises Erdogan, Turkey says ready to take control of ISIS prisons in Syria

As Trump praises Erdogan, Turkey says ready to take control of ISIS prisons in Syria

ANKARA — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey was ready to take control of the camps that host detainees of the Islamic State members...

08.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Buoyed by drones, NATO deals, Turkey defense exports hit record $7.1B

ANKARA — Turkey’s defense industry exports surpassed $7.1 billion last year, the head of Turkey's Defense Industry Agency (SSB) announced...

03.01.2025 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Buoyed by drones, NATO deals, Turkey defense exports hit record $7.1 B

ANKARA — Turkey’s defense industry exports surpassed $7.1 billion last year, the head of Turkey's Defense Industry Agency (SSB) announced...

03.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey allows pro-Kurdish DEM party to meet with jailed PKK leader Ocalan

The permission comes as part of the government’s tentative Kurdish opening.

27.12.2024 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Central Bank lowers interest rates for the first time in nearly 2 years

ANKARA — Turkey’s Central Bank on Thursday lowered its interest rates by 250 basis points, from 50% to 47.5%, easing the monetary tightening...

26.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkish ammunition plant explosion kills 11, injures 7

ANKARA — An explosion at an ammunition plant in northwest Turkey on Tuesday killed 11 people and wounded seven others, Turkish Interior Minister...

24.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan says end near for PKK, Syrian offshoots

The Turkish president's remarks come amid growing speculation of an imminent Turkish-backed rebel offensive against the Kurdish-led Syrian...

23.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey's Erdogan offers help in Syria state structure ahead of Fidan visit

The Turkish president said his top diplomat will soon travel to Damascus to support Syria's interim government in its fight against groups that...

20.12.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan in Egypt, holds first meeting with Sisi after Assad's fall

ANKARA — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met on Thursday to discuss Syria, Gaza and bilateral...

19.12.2024 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Qatar emir in Turkey on surprise visit as efforts for Syria ceasefire intensify

ANKARA — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday to discuss Syria's reconstruction...

17.12.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s intel chief in Damascus, set to meet Syria's transition, HTS leaders

ANKARA — Ibrahim Kalin, director of Turkey’s National Intelligence Directorate, traveled to Damascus on Thursday just hours before US Secretary...

12.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey says Ethiopia, Somalia reach deal to end Somaliland dispute

The Turkish-mediated progress came as the three countries' leaders met in Ankara.

12.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey to reopen crossing for returning Syrians as Erdogan hails rebel victory

The Turkish president pledges support for reconstruction as the victory by opposition groups bolster efforts to re

09.12.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

As Turkey weighs next steps in Syria, Erdogan says target is Damascus

Rapid rebel advances in Syria have shifted negotiations between Turkey, Iran and Russia to whether the Syrian government will survive.

06.12.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan ups rhetoric, says Assad must ‘urgently engage' with rebels

Erdogan is urging the Syrian government to urgently launch a dialogue with rebels in a bid to end the civil war after insurgents captured Hama.

05.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Assad to engage rebels as Fidan readies for talks with Iran, Russia

Turkey's president held calls on Syria with his Russian counterpart and Iraq's prime minister, while the top Turkish diplomat is expected to meet...

03.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Iran’s FM meets Fidan in Turkey as rift over Syria persists: What we know

While the top Iranian and Turkish diplomats agree on the need for de-escalation in Syria, the two countries' positions remain divergent.

02.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey deems 'unacceptable' any Greek Cyprus NATO membership attempt

The Turkish statement came as the president of Cyprus suggested that his country could eventually become a NATO member.

28.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Erdogan: Turkey ready to contribute to 'permanent ceasefire' in Gaza

The Turkish president’s remarks came after the US president announced new ceasefire efforts in Gaza.

27.11.2024 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Residents of battered Hezbollah bastion hail 'victory' on return

People displaced by weeks of bombing on Hezbollah's main stronghold in Beirut returned Wednesday to their devastated neighbourhood, with some...

27.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey scales back $23 billion F-16 deal with US

Turkey scrapped plans to acquire F-16 modernization kits for domestic industry to take over, the Turkish defense minister said.

27.11.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey detains more than 230 as pressure on opposition ramps up

The detentions include pro-Kurdish politicians, rights activists and journalists.

26.11.2024 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Central Bank holds interest rate at 50%

It marks the eighth consecutive month without a change.

21.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey prosecutors indict bank CEO in $44 million Ponzi scheme

The latest indictment seeks lengthy prison sentences for the bank executives over a scheme targeting soccer stars.

20.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Schools closed in Beirut after deadly Israeli air raid

Schools in Beirut were closed on Monday after rare strikes on central districts of the Lebanese capital killed six people including Hezbollah's...

18.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Reports Hamas' political bureau relocated to Turkey false, Turkish sources say

Turkish diplomatic sources refutes claims of Hamas political leaders relocating from Qatar to Turkey, following media reports.

18.11.2024 6

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Dozens killed, missing in Israeli strike on devastated north Gaza

Israeli strikes on Sunday killed dozens of people in Gaza, civil defence rescuers said, most of them in northern Gaza where the UN and others have...

17.11.2024 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey blocked Israeli President Herzog’s flight to COP29 in Azerbaijan, officials confirm

Ankara denied for Herzog’s aircraft to fly over Turkish airspace to reach Baku.

17.11.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey postpones debate on controversial ‘foreign agent’ law amid public outcry

The move follows criticism from the opposition and civil society over potential threats to free speech and media independence.

13.11.2024 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

After Trump win, Turkey hopeful on Syria reconciliation, US withdrawal

Ankara expresses hope for mending ties with Damascus as well as a potential US military exit from northern Syria following Trump’s victory.

13.11.2024 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s proposed ‘foreign agent’ law threatens press freedom, critics say

The bill is seen as a major blow to the already weak independent civil society organizations in Turkey.

12.11.2024 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin