Opposition lawmakers protesting draft parliament bylaw changes Turkish opposition, Republican People’s Party (CHP), lawmakers refused to leave parliament early Thursday, in protest of draft bylaw changes under consideration. “CHP group, as a protest to the silencing of the opposition, is not leaving parliament tonight,” the CHP deputy chairman Ozgur Ozel said. Parliament’s deputy speaker Ahmet […]

Germans in Turkey ask their government to resolve differences with Ankara Alanya, a coastal district of Turkey’s southern Antalya province is home to some 10,000 Germans. As Berlin and Ankara mow their way through a rough patch in their relations, many Germans settled in the resort town claim they have led a happy life in […]

Turkish president comments on recent remarks by US general on terrorist PKK/PYD changing name to Syrian Democratic Forces Turkey’s president said Sunday that friends should not deceive each other, referring to recent remarks by a US general over the terrorist PKK/PYD “rebranding” itself as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). “We know very well who’s who. […]

Turkish groups nationwide protest Israeli restrictions on Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque Nongovernmental organizations from across Turkey on Friday condemned Israel for restricting Palestinians’ entry to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque and held rallies in solidarity with Muslim worshippers. Dozens of Palestinians were injured on Friday after fresh clashes broke out with Israeli police outside the mosque, […]

Turkish ministers to meet senior EU figures next week for wide-ranging talks Turkish and EU figures are set for a high-level meeting next week to work on Ankara’s long-running bid to join the bloc, Turkey’s foreign ministry announced on Friday. Next Tuesday will see talks in Brussels between Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and EU Minister […]

Nationwide demonstrations in Turkey planned for after Friday prayers A number of non-governmental organizations in Turkey are planning to protest new Israeli restrictions on Palestinians’ entry to Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest site. Israeli restrictions will be condemned across Turkey, particularly in Istanbul and Ankara, after Friday prayers. Protests are expected to continue Saturday. In […]

Turkish Foreign Ministry says ‘double standards’ on show in German commentary over recent Istanbul arrests Remarks made by German officials over the recent detention in Istanbul of six people, including a German national, are “unacceptable”, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has said. There was “direct interference in the Turkish judiciary” in statements made by German Foreign Ministry […]

MHP deputy parliamentary group chairman condemns Israel’s closing of Al-Aqsa Mosque to worshippers The parliamentary group chairman of opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has slammed Israeli restrictions on Muslims wishing to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Speaking in the parliament on Tuesday, Erhan Usta condemned Israel’s order to close the Al-Aqsa mosque to […]

National Security Council meeting in capital discusses threats from terrorist groups in Syria, Iraq The National Security Council meeting in Ankara on Monday resolved that Turkey would never allow a terrorist state to be established on its border. According to a statement issued after the council’s meeting at the presidential complex in the capital, the […]

The parliament on Monday ratified the Prime Ministry’s motion to extend the ongoing state of emergency in the country for another three months. The extension will become effective from Wednesday at 1.00 a.m. (2200 GMT Tuesday). The motion was backed by votes of ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). […]