Turkey's opposition crisis erupts as police storm the CHP and squeeze its airwaves
Riot police stormed the CHP's Ankara headquarters and forced out ousted leader Ozgur Ozel, then used water cannon and pepper spray to block his rally in Izmir, days after an Ankara court annulled the party's 2023 congress and reinstated Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Authorities also moved to auction the seized opposition broadcaster Tele 1, whose team relaunched on YouTube. Critics call it a judicial assault on the president's rivals, with jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu still Erdogan's likeliest challenger.
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tr95Turkish police storm CHP headquarters and block opposition rally after court ousts leader Ozel
Turkish riot police stormed the headquarters of the main opposition CHP in Ankara and forced out leader Ozgur Ozel, days after an Ankara appeals court annulled the party's 2023 congress and reinstated his predecessor, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. On Tuesday, police used water cannon and pepper spray to block a rally Ozel had called in Izmir. The opposition and international critics accuse President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of using the courts to neutralise his strongest rivals.
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Turkish police storm CHP headquarters and block opposition rally after court ousts leader Ozel
Turkish riot police stormed the headquarters of the main opposition CHP in Ankara and forced out leader Ozgur Ozel, days after an Ankara appeals court annulled the party's 2023 congress and reinstated his predecessor, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. On Tuesday, police used water cannon and pepper spray to block a rally Ozel had called in Izmir. The opposition and international critics accuse President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of using the courts to neutralise his strongest rivals.
Turkish riot police stormed the headquarters of the main opposition CHP in Ankara and forced out leader Ozgur Ozel, days after an Ankara appeals court annulled the party's 2023 congress and reinstated his predecessor, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. On Tuesday, police used water cannon and pepper spray to block a rally Ozel had called in Izmir. The opposition and international critics accuse President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of using the courts to neutralise his strongest rivals.
tr80Turkey shuts down opposition broadcaster Tele 1, journalists continue on YouTube as Tele 2
Turkish authorities seized the opposition television station Tele 1 on October 24, 2025, after arresting its editor-in-chief Merdan Yanardağ, and the station is set to be auctioned within two weeks. The Tele 1 team has relaunched as Tele 2 on YouTube, with anchor Murat Taylan saying, "If necessary, we will continue until Tele 99." The shutdown is the latest in a series of state actions that have brought 90 percent of nationwide media under government control, according to Reporters Without Borders.
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Turkey shuts down opposition broadcaster Tele 1, journalists continue on YouTube as Tele 2
Turkish authorities seized the opposition television station Tele 1 on October 24, 2025, after arresting its editor-in-chief Merdan Yanardağ, and the station is set to be auctioned within two weeks. The Tele 1 team has relaunched as Tele 2 on YouTube, with anchor Murat Taylan saying, "If necessary, we will continue until Tele 99." The shutdown is the latest in a series of state actions that have brought 90 percent of nationwide media under government control, according to Reporters Without Borders.
Turkish authorities seized the opposition television station Tele 1 on October 24, 2025, after arresting its editor-in-chief Merdan Yanardağ, and the station is set to be auctioned within two weeks. The Tele 1 team has relaunched as Tele 2 on YouTube, with anchor Murat Taylan saying, "If necessary, we will continue until Tele 99." The shutdown is the latest in a series of state actions that have brought 90 percent of nationwide media under government control, according to Reporters Without Borders.
tr35Erdoğan touts Turkey's strength and stability in Eid message
Background: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously called for neutralizing Israeli provocations and discussed regional cooperation, NATO, EU, and defense issues. In his Eid al-Adha message, Erdoğan highlighted Turkey's economic growth, defense industry expansion (with exports exceeding $10 billion), and institutional resilience, describing the country as an 'island of stability' amid regional crises. He reiterated the 'terror-free Turkey' initiative to disarm the PKK, and criticized Israel's continued 'occupation, destruction, massacres, and illegal settlement activities' in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Lebanon despite ceasefires.
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Erdoğan touts Turkey's strength and stability in Eid message
Background: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously called for neutralizing Israeli provocations and discussed regional cooperation, NATO, EU, and defense issues. In his Eid al-Adha message, Erdoğan highlighted Turkey's economic growth, defense industry expansion (with exports exceeding $10 billion), and institutional resilience, describing the country as an 'island of stability' amid regional crises. He reiterated the 'terror-free Turkey' initiative to disarm the PKK, and criticized Israel's continued 'occupation, destruction, massacres, and illegal settlement activities' in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Lebanon despite ceasefires.
Background: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously called for neutralizing Israeli provocations and discussed regional cooperation, NATO, EU, and defense issues. In his Eid al-Adha message, Erdoğan highlighted Turkey's economic growth, defense industry expansion (with exports exceeding $10 billion), and institutional resilience, describing the country as an 'island of stability' amid regional crises. He reiterated the 'terror-free Turkey' initiative to disarm the PKK, and criticized Israel's continued 'occupation, destruction, massacres, and illegal settlement activities' in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Lebanon despite ceasefires.
tr30Erdogan tells Iran's Pezeshkian Turkey supports peace and stability through negotiations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on May 26, 2026, reiterating Ankara's support for diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability in the region amid ongoing tensions. Erdogan emphasized Turkey's readiness to contribute to positive outcomes in negotiations and expressed confidence that the Iranian people would overcome current difficulties and find safety and stability. He conveyed Eid al-Adha greetings. The leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.
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Erdogan tells Iran's Pezeshkian Turkey supports peace and stability through negotiations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on May 26, 2026, reiterating Ankara's support for diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability in the region amid ongoing tensions. Erdogan emphasized Turkey's readiness to contribute to positive outcomes in negotiations and expressed confidence that the Iranian people would overcome current difficulties and find safety and stability. He conveyed Eid al-Adha greetings. The leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on May 26, 2026, reiterating Ankara's support for diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability in the region amid ongoing tensions. Erdogan emphasized Turkey's readiness to contribute to positive outcomes in negotiations and expressed confidence that the Iranian people would overcome current difficulties and find safety and stability. He conveyed Eid al-Adha greetings. The leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.
tr28Syria uncovers remnants of Assad-era chemical weapons program, detains 18 suspects
Syria's transitional authorities have discovered remnants of former leader Bashar al-Assad's covert chemical weapons program, including raw materials and munitions. Eighteen suspects, including high-level military and political officials, have been detained. A joint task force with Turkey and seven other nations is working to eliminate the weapons, as the international community provides support due to the former regime's non-cooperation with the OPCW.
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Syria uncovers remnants of Assad-era chemical weapons program, detains 18 suspects
Syria's transitional authorities have discovered remnants of former leader Bashar al-Assad's covert chemical weapons program, including raw materials and munitions. Eighteen suspects, including high-level military and political officials, have been detained. A joint task force with Turkey and seven other nations is working to eliminate the weapons, as the international community provides support due to the former regime's non-cooperation with the OPCW.
Syria's transitional authorities have discovered remnants of former leader Bashar al-Assad's covert chemical weapons program, including raw materials and munitions. Eighteen suspects, including high-level military and political officials, have been detained. A joint task force with Turkey and seven other nations is working to eliminate the weapons, as the international community provides support due to the former regime's non-cooperation with the OPCW.
tr25African nations seek security ties with Turkey through 'Somalia model'
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler announced that several African countries are requesting security and economic assistance modeled on Turkey's partnership with Somalia. The 'Somalia model' involves Ankara providing military training, technical support, and economic infrastructure development in exchange for shared profits. Potential candidates include Sudan, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia. This development signals Turkey's expanding influence in Africa through a comprehensive security and economic cooperation framework.
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African nations seek security ties with Turkey through 'Somalia model'
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler announced that several African countries are requesting security and economic assistance modeled on Turkey's partnership with Somalia. The 'Somalia model' involves Ankara providing military training, technical support, and economic infrastructure development in exchange for shared profits. Potential candidates include Sudan, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia. This development signals Turkey's expanding influence in Africa through a comprehensive security and economic cooperation framework.
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler announced that several African countries are requesting security and economic assistance modeled on Turkey's partnership with Somalia. The 'Somalia model' involves Ankara providing military training, technical support, and economic infrastructure development in exchange for shared profits. Potential candidates include Sudan, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia. This development signals Turkey's expanding influence in Africa through a comprehensive security and economic cooperation framework.
tr20South Africa praises Türkiye's support for ICJ genocide case against Israel
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola praised Türkiye's clear and consistent support for Pretoria's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Türkiye formally intervened in the proceedings in 2024, submitting a 43-page declaration under Article 63 of the ICJ statute. South Africa filed the case in December 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention in Gaza. The ICJ issued provisional measures in 2024. Several other countries, including Spain, Ireland, and Colombia, have also intervened. This case highlights growing international legal coordination against Israel's military operations in Gaza.
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South Africa praises Türkiye's support for ICJ genocide case against Israel
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola praised Türkiye's clear and consistent support for Pretoria's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Türkiye formally intervened in the proceedings in 2024, submitting a 43-page declaration under Article 63 of the ICJ statute. South Africa filed the case in December 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention in Gaza. The ICJ issued provisional measures in 2024. Several other countries, including Spain, Ireland, and Colombia, have also intervened. This case highlights growing international legal coordination against Israel's military operations in Gaza.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola praised Türkiye's clear and consistent support for Pretoria's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Türkiye formally intervened in the proceedings in 2024, submitting a 43-page declaration under Article 63 of the ICJ statute. South Africa filed the case in December 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention in Gaza. The ICJ issued provisional measures in 2024. Several other countries, including Spain, Ireland, and Colombia, have also intervened. This case highlights growing international legal coordination against Israel's military operations in Gaza.
tr18Somalia expects positive offshore drilling results from Türkiye-led project by year-end
Somalia's Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed stated that the country expects positive results from Türkiye-led offshore oil and gas drilling by the end of 2026. Türkiye's deep-sea drilling vessel Çağrı Bey is drilling the Curad-1 well off Mogadishu, one of the deepest offshore operations globally. The project follows seismic surveys by the Oruc Reis. Somalia also seeks to expand cooperation with Türkiye into mining, including critical minerals. The partnership is part of broader strategic ties between the two countries since 2011.
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Somalia expects positive offshore drilling results from Türkiye-led project by year-end
Somalia's Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed stated that the country expects positive results from Türkiye-led offshore oil and gas drilling by the end of 2026. Türkiye's deep-sea drilling vessel Çağrı Bey is drilling the Curad-1 well off Mogadishu, one of the deepest offshore operations globally. The project follows seismic surveys by the Oruc Reis. Somalia also seeks to expand cooperation with Türkiye into mining, including critical minerals. The partnership is part of broader strategic ties between the two countries since 2011.
Somalia's Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed stated that the country expects positive results from Türkiye-led offshore oil and gas drilling by the end of 2026. Türkiye's deep-sea drilling vessel Çağrı Bey is drilling the Curad-1 well off Mogadishu, one of the deepest offshore operations globally. The project follows seismic surveys by the Oruc Reis. Somalia also seeks to expand cooperation with Türkiye into mining, including critical minerals. The partnership is part of broader strategic ties between the two countries since 2011.