Latest Turkey government News
Middle East latest: Israel plans an extended occupation of Syrian buffer zone
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops will occupy a buffer zone inside Syria for the foreseeable future. Israel’s recent capture of the buffer zone has sparked condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in...
Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell
DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, gathering in the capital's historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly...
Turkey's Erdogan offers to mediate between Sudan and the UAE
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone call with Sudan’s military leader on Friday and offered to mediate to resolve tensions with the United Arab Emirates, according to the Turkish leader’s office. The offer to Sudan’s military leader,...
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
AQABA, Jordan (AP) — Top U.S. officials were in the Middle East on Thursday, pushing for stability in Syria and an end to Israel’s 14-month war in the Gaza Strip in a last-ditch diplomatic push by the outgoing Biden administration before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in a few weeks....
Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East this week on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The upheaval in Syria has sparked new fears of instability in a region...
Ethiopia and Somalia agree to hold 'technical talks' over breakaway Somaliland region
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Ethiopia and Somalia agreed on Wednesday to hold “technical talks” to resolve a dispute sparked by Ethiopia’s deal with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland, according to a statement following talks in Turkey. Turkey has been mediating between the...
Boosting Cyprus' defense is key so close to the war-wracked Mideast, defense minister says
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Bolstering Cyprus ' defense capacity is critical for the east Mediterranean island nation so close to the war-wrecked Middle East, the country's defense minister said Tuesday. The priority for Cyprus is to procure better defense systems, said Defense Minister...
Assad’s downfall is a humbling blow to Russia. How will it affect Putin's prestige?
Almost exactly seven years ago, President Vladimir Putin stood with Russian troops at their air base in Syria and proudly declared victory over “terrorists” in that country as part of the Kremlin’s military intervention to prop up the government of Bashar Assad amid a civil war. ...
Turkish military helicopters collide in midair, killing 6 military personnel
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Two Turkish military helicopters collided in midair on Monday, causing one of them to crash and killing six military personnel on board, officials said. The second helicopter landed safely. Five of the victims died at the site of the accident while a sixth...
Where Turkey stands as Syrian government falls to opposition insurgents
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Syrian refugees across Turkey jubilantly welcomed the downfall of Bashar Assad’s government Sunday, with many embracing the chance to return to their homeland. Large crowds waving Syrian and Turkish flags gathered in the main square of Kilis, a border city...
