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Ezgi Akin

Ezgi Akin

Al Monitor

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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...

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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 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

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

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

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 4

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 4

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 1

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 1

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 1

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 2

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 1

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 2

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

Turkey's Erdogan, Cyprus president hold rare chat as Fidan heads to Athens

The chat comes at a time when Turkey is pursuing enhanced defense cooperation with Europe.

08.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Why is Turkey's Erdogan mulling release of PKK leader from prison

Despite conciliatory messages from Turkey’s ruling coalition, the arrest of a district mayor from the main opposition party has cast doubt over a...

30.10.2024 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan signals deadly attack won’t derail opening to Kurdish dialogue

The Turkish president said the deadly attack on a defense firm outside Ankara targeted a new political climate in the country.

28.10.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

PKK claims responsibility for TUSAS attack in Turkey’s capital

The Kurdish militant group said the attack was to send a message to Turkey about its conduct toward it.

25.10.2024 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

PKK claims responsibility for fatal TUSAS attack in Turkey’s capital

The Kurdish militant group said the attack was to send a message to Turkey about its conduct toward it.

25.10.2024 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Israel to send negotiators to new Gaza truce talks

Israel said Thursday it will send negotiators to Qatar this weekend for talks seeking to reach an elusive Gaza deal, as the death toll soared from...

24.10.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Paris aid conference raises $800m for Lebanon aid

A Paris conference Thursday on aid for conflict-stricken Lebanon raised around $800 million for humanitarian aid but saw little diplomatic progress...

24.10.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

US, Qatar announce new Gaza talks as Blinken eyes new options

The United States and Qatar on Thursday announced a resumption of negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said...

24.10.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Gaza rescuers say 770 people killed in Israel assault on north

Gaza's civil defence agency said Thursday more than 770 people have been killed in the north of the territory since Israel launched an assault...

24.10.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey says 2 PKK members behind TUSAS attack, ramps up airstrikes in Iraq, Syria

With funerals for victims underway, Turkish officials identified the attackers as operatives of the Kurdish militant group.

24.10.2024 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

At least 6 killed, 14 injured in attack on Turkey’s defense company TUSAS

A series of explosions and gunshots were heard at TUSAS, Turkey’s state-run aerospace and defense company, in an attack first reported around 3:30...

23.10.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Explosion rocks Turkey’s defense industry complex in Ankara

TUSAS is an engine manufacturer for the Turkish defense industry. A series of explosions and gunshots were heard during live footage published by...

23.10.2024 9

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

In shift, Erdogan's top ally says Ocalan’s life sentence can be reassessed if PKK disbands

Devlet Bahceli also suggested that the conditions of the militant leader’s life sentence without parole be reconsidered if he agrees to make such...

22.10.2024 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

How death of Fethullah Gulen, Erdogan's nemesis, could impact US-Turkey ties

The death of the infamous US-based preacher will likely impact US-Turkey relations after years of extradition disputes.

21.10.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Fidan meets Hamas political leaders in Istanbul after Sinwar's killing

The meeting came a day after the killing of Yahya Sinwar, the militant group's leader, was confirmed and coincided with the top Iranian diplomat...

19.10.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan meets KRG President Barzani ahead of Iraqi Kurdistan vote

Barzani’s visit comes just amid Turkey's nascent attempt to use diplomacy, alongside ongoing military measures, to solve the 40-year-old Kurdish...

16.10.2024 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Erdogan’s AKP postpones bill to impose credit card fees to support Turkey’s defense

Plans to collect credit card fees in a bid to boost the defense industry are put on hold after a public backlash.

15.10.2024 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan confirms ‘political softening’ with pro-Kurdish party

The statement comes amid a public debate on the possible revival of a process aiming to settle the country’s 40-year-old Kurdish problem through...

14.10.2024 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

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