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.

Abdur Rouf Talukder, the last Governor of the Central Bank during the League government, took office on July 12, 2022. Upon assuming his duties, he made several promises, including restoring discipline in the banking sector, solving liquidity issues, and reducing non-performing loans. However, the situation took a turn for the worse. Rather than restoring discipline, bank takeovers and looting occurred, with sources claiming that Governor Talukder himself facilitated these actions. He is alleged to have relaxed existing bank policies, enabling widespread looting. Under his tenure, the highest amount of currency in history was printed, leading to an increase in inflation. Reports also suggest that Talukder proactively handed over control of one bank to its attackers.

During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Turkey could serve as an ideal venue for the planned peace talks between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine. Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to fostering peace between Russia and Ukraine, expressing readiness to provide all necessary support to ensure the success of the negotiations. He emphasized that Ankara unequivocally recognizes Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Additionally, Erdoğan mentioned that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the war aligns with Turkey’s policies over the past three years. In response, Zelensky expressed his gratitude.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the U.S. administration under President Trump is making flawed calculations regarding the Middle East. He warned that following Zionist falsehoods would only escalate the conflict. According to an Arab News report, Turkey has rejected Trump’s plan, which proposed relocating over 2 million Palestinians and establishing the region as the U.S.-controlled Middle Eastern Riviera. Turkey has also condemned Israel’s actions, labeling them as acts of ethnic cleansing.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reiterated his criticism of U.S. President Joe Biden’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Erdoğan declared, “Gaza belongs to our Palestinian brothers and sisters. By Allah’s will, they will remain in their homeland forever.”

He also referenced the temporary ceasefire agreement announced on January 19, expressing disappointment that Israel failed to uphold its commitments. Erdoğan urged the Arab and Muslim world to stand by the people of Gaza.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya on February 11, criticized Israel for failing to uphold ceasefire agreements in Gaza. He called for an end to Israeli occupation in Palestinian territories and demanded reparations for the devastation in Gaza. Anwar Ibrahim praised Turkey’s leadership on the Gaza issue, noting that no other country has provided as much humanitarian aid.