Turkey's largest combined joint exercise, EFES 2026, concludes on May 21 with 10,388 personnel from 50 nations, including a first-time Syrian deployment since the Baathist regime fell and the first joint participation of rival Libyan east and west forces. Highlights included Baykar Bayraktar TB3 UCAV sorties from light carrier TCG Anadolu, a live demonstration of Aselsan's Steel Dome layered air defence, and an STM KARGU swarm of 20 units run by a single operator. A parallel exhibition is showcasing TAI's Kaan fighter, Hürjet trainer and Anka-3 stealth UCAV.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry on Monday condemned Greek events marking May 19 as so-called "Pontus" allegations, calling them groundless and politically motivated. Ankara accused Athens of covering up atrocities committed during the Greek occupation of western Anatolia after 1919. The statement coincided with the anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's arrival in Samsun, which began Turkey's War of Independence.

Turkish police on Tuesday arrested 110 suspected members of the Daesh terrorist group in operations across Istanbul, Bursa, and another city. The suspects are accused of running recruitment classes, training minors, collecting funds for imprisoned Daesh convicts, and promoting the group through propaganda and banned publications. The raids follow a similar operation last week that netted 324 suspects across 47 provinces.

Türkiye has placed health on the official agenda of the UN Climate Change Conference COP31 for the first time, Health Ministry Director General for EU and Foreign Relations Aziz Alper Biten announced Monday at the WHO World Health Assembly in Geneva. The achievement, under Türkiye's presidency and hosting role, follows what Biten described as "determined and persistent efforts." The summit, themed "Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems," is set for November in Türkiye.

Turkey's Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced on May 19, 2026, that a new regulation to restrict social media use for children under 15, modeled on Australia's approach, will be in force within six months. The legislation, approved by Parliament in April 2026, aims to create safer digital spaces for minors. The law will include age verification via the e-Government portal and assign responsibilities to social network providers, coordinated with the Cybersecurity Directorate and BTK. Authorities are also developing separate measures for users aged 15-18.

Turkish authorities detained five suspects, including former Beşiktaş Deputy Mayor Cevdet Çalı and current CHP municipal council member İlker Uluer, on bribery and money laundering charges in an investigation targeting Istanbul's Beşiktaş Municipality. Searches at their homes and offices yielded $90,000, €5,000, and digital evidence. The probe is part of a broader wave of corruption investigations across CHP-run municipalities in Turkey. The investigation is ongoing.

Turkey's Directorate of Communications has blocked 1,352 additional social media accounts linked to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), increasing the total to 1,731. The move, announced by Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, is part of a broader digital monitoring and counter-propaganda effort coordinated with the Justice and Interior Ministries. It underscores Turkey's ongoing crackdown on online dissent and terrorism-related content. Additionally, 361 accounts were restricted for praising terrorism and conducting psychological operations.

A Turkish parliamentary delegation led by Fuat Oktay visited Japan to enhance bilateral cooperation in defense, technology, trade, and reconstruction projects. The talks aimed to increase trade volume from $7 billion to $10-15 billion, attract more Japanese investment, and explore joint projects in Syria and Ukraine. Defense industry collaboration, motor technologies, and tourism were also discussed, reflecting a strategic push to deepen ties amid regional instability.