Latest Turkey government News

Middle East latest: Israeli strike in Gaza kills at least 7 people, including 4 kids

Dec. 20, 2024 17:09 PM EST

An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in central Gaza killed at least seven Palestinians, including four children, and wounded 16 other people Friday afternoon, health officials said. Israel faces heavy international criticism over the unprecedented levels of civilian...

The warm Turkish welcome for refugees is ending and Syrians are worried

Dec. 20, 2024 01:22 AM EST

GAZIANTEP, Turkey (AP) — Turkey gained renown as a haven for refugees by welcoming more than 3 million Syrians fleeing violence between forces from Bashar Assad ’s government and a patchwork of rebel groups. But the Syrian president’s ouster this month has led many in Turkey to...

After a decade in Turkey, a Syrian refugee rushes to return home, but reality hits

Dec. 19, 2024 00:14 AM EST

ALEPPO, Syria (AP) — The moment he arrived home to Syria from Turkey, Ahmed al-Kassem held his sister in a tight embrace, tears streaming down their faces. They hadn't seen each other in more than a decade and now were reunited only days after the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad. ...

Middle East latest: Israel plans an extended occupation of Syrian buffer zone

Dec. 17, 2024 23:35 PM EST

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

Dec. 13, 2024 16:31 PM EST

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

Dec. 13, 2024 07:46 AM EST

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

Dec. 12, 2024 17:27 PM EST

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

Dec. 11, 2024 18:20 PM EST

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

Dec. 11, 2024 17:58 PM EST

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

Dec. 10, 2024 11:58 AM EST

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...