Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for urgent de-escalation between India and Pakistan before the situation worsens. This follows a deadly attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 25 Indians and one Nepali dead. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned of a potential military assault, noting increased Indian threats and military preparedness in response.

Turkey is preparing to take control of Syria’s Tiyas Airbase (T4) following Israeli attacks in the region. The country is deploying air defense systems, including the S-400 missile defense system, and plans to station radar systems with a range of 600 kilometers at the airbase. This would allow Turkish forces to track potential threats from Tel Aviv in real time. Israeli forces are attempting to prevent Turkish control of the base, but analysts suggest that Turkey remains undeterred in its plans, with suspicions that Israeli influence may be behind domestic protests in Turkey.

At least 16 migrants have died in two separate boat capsizings in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday, authorities confirmed. The incidents occurred near the coasts of Greece and Turkey.

In Greece, seven bodies were recovered after a boat carrying around 30 migrants capsized. Initially, four bodies were found, with coast guard patrols later recovering three more. A search and rescue operation is still ongoing for the remaining passengers.

Meanwhile, off the coast of Ayvacık district in Turkey, another migrant boat sank, resulting in nine fatalities. Turkish authorities successfully rescued 25 others from the water.

These incidents highlight the persistent dangers faced by migrants risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean in search of safety and better opportunities in Europe.

Following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, opposition parties across Turkey have launched widespread protests and called for a boycott of products from government-affiliated companies. On Wednesday, the movement gained momentum, with activists urging a one-day shopping strike. Some stores shut down in solidarity, condemning the arrest as politically motivated.

Turkey’s Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, denounced the boycott, calling it an attempt to harm the economy and a violation of fair trade principles. Pro-government voices, including football star Mesut Özil, have pushed back against the movement, using the hashtag “No Boycott, National Damage” to voice their opposition. However, Turkey’s President remains confident that the boycott will not succeed.

In his Eid message to the Muslim world, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity, stating that his country will not allow instability along its southern border. He highlighted ongoing military operations against the PKK and YPG, which he accused of attempting to establish a corridor along Turkey’s border. Erdogan warned that Turkey’s patience has limits and called for the disarmament and dissolution of these groups. Following Eid prayers at Istanbul’s Grand Çamlıca Mosque, he also expressed concern over the situation in Palestine.

Mass protests erupted across Turkey following the arrest of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu. However, after seven days, the demonstrations ended peacefully. Opposition CHP leader Ozgür Özel announced the conclusion of protests, stating, “We will hold Iftar gatherings in every district of Istanbul and come together on Eid.” He warned that if authorities used force against activists again, “we will return to the streets with 500,000 people.” The movement concluded without bloodshed, solidifying Erdogan’s political dominance, but also highlighting the resilience of Turkey’s opposition.

Amid ongoing protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Turkish authorities detained at least seven journalists, including an AFP photojournalist, on Tuesday. The mass demonstrations have continued for seven consecutive days. Authorities claim the detained journalists were participating in ‘illegal protests.’ AFP’s CEO has sent a formal request to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, demanding the journalist’s release.

Protests over the imprisonment of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu have turned violent, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan holding the main opposition party accountable for injuries sustained by police officers and property damage. Expressing surprise over the demonstrations, Erdogan warned that his government would not tolerate "terrorist activities in the streets." Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that 123 police officers were injured and over 1,133 people had been arrested in the past five days.

In a significant political development, Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has officially nominated imprisoned mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Nearly 15 million people participated in the nomination process, with over 13.2 million of them being non-party members. Notably, Imamoğlu was the sole candidate.

His nomination comes just days after Turkish authorities arrested him on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist organization. In response, thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities including Ankara and Istanbul, demanding his immediate release. Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration has confirmed that 1,133 demonstrators have been arrested nationwide.

Mass protests have erupted in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, with thousands taking to the streets demanding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s resignation. Many are calling this the largest anti-government movement since 2013, when protests resulted in at least eight deaths. Authorities have shut down several key roads in Istanbul and imposed a five-day ban on public gatherings in protest-hit cities. In response to Thursday’s violent clashes, a metro station near Ankara University has also been closed. Despite government crackdowns and threats, demonstrators have vowed to continue their movement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has held his first phone conversation with Donald Trump since Trump’s re-election. During the call, the two leaders discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to achieving a fair and lasting peace and expressed hope that U.S.-Turkey relations would improve under Trump’s leadership. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of lifting sanctions to restore stability and facilitate the establishment of an effective new administration in Syria.

At an OIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan strongly opposed Israel’s occupation plans in Gaza, calling them “completely unacceptable.” He stressed that the root cause of the crisis is Israeli occupation and called for international efforts to prevent further annexation of Palestinian territories. He also rejected any attempts to alter the historical and political status of Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem.

In a speech delivered in Ankara on Monday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that Europe’s security would be inconceivable without Turkey. He emphasized that Turkey views its EU membership process as a ‘strategic priority,’ given that Turkey is an inseparable part of Europe. Erdogan criticized Europe for spreading Islamophobia and cultural racism in areas where millions of Muslims reside, and condemned the attacks on the Quran, calling any justification of such acts as freedom ‘unacceptable.’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has declared that Turkey is no longer a passive observer in global politics but an active “key player.” Speaking at an Iftar event, he stated, “Today’s Turkey is strong, influential, and shaping global affairs. Our nation stands not only for its own people but also for the oppressed and marginalized worldwide.” He emphasized Turkey’s preference for peace and dialogue but warned that “if our extended hand for peace is rejected, our iron fist will always be ready.” Shortly after his speech, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) formally announced a ceasefire.

Imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan has called on the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to surrender its weapons, potentially ending a 40-year-long conflict with Turkey and bringing stability to the region. A delegation from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party met with Öcalan at his island prison on Thursday and later released a statement. In a letter, Öcalan stated, “I am calling for disarmament” and urged the PKK to formally dissolve itself through a congress. Turkey, the U.S., the EU, and other entities classify the PKK as a terrorist organization. Since the group launched its armed struggle for Kurdish self-rule in 1984, more than 40,000 people have been killed. While the PKK initially fought for an independent Kurdish state, its demands have since shifted to regional autonomy.