Politics
273 migrant smugglers caught in 51 provinces across Türkiye
Two hundred seventy-three migrant smugglers have been caught in operations across 51 provinces of Türkiye, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Wednesday.
Some 98 of the 273 smugglers caught have been detained in the operations against irregular migration and migrant smugglers in the past two weeks, Yerlikaya wrote on social media.
The minister indicated that the operations were carried out by the provincial police departments’ anti-smuggling and border gates branch directorates under the coordination of the Migration Management Directorate and the General Directorate of Security’s Department of Combating Migrant Smuggling.
“(Some) 273 migrant smuggling organizers and 1,022 irregular migrants were caught. Ninety-eight of the migrant smuggling organizers were arrested. The procedures for the others are continuing.”
He added that procedures to send back the irregular migrants were similarly ongoing.
“Türkiye coming forth as a model for the whole world in the management of migration, which is tied to values such as human rights and freedoms, law and civilisation, while not compromising its public order and security,” Yerlikaya underlined. “We address the issue of migration in all its dimensions, including regular and irregular migration, international protection, voluntary, safe and dignified return, combating migrant smuggling and border management.”
Türkiye once hosted two-thirds of the world’s total Syrian refugee population. At its peak, there were more than 3.8 million Syrian refugees in Türkiye.
Some preferred to cross into Europe illegally in pursuit of better lives. In the early years of the Syrian civil war, Türkiye housed thousands of refugees in tent camps and container cities in its southeastern towns, but over time, most refugees settled elsewhere, setting up new lives, particularly in big cities in western Türkiye.
Türkiye boosted security in its land borders while coast guard patrols were increased amid the influx, especially in the Aegean Sea, where Türkiye and Greece, the main gateway to Europe for migrants, are littoral.
Some migrants make the dangerous journey over land or sea with the assistance of smugglers, who often abandon them, especially during sea journeys, after receiving thousands of dollars from each migrant. Others are stopped by Turkish security forces before crossing the border into Europe.
In some cases, neighboring Greece is accused of pushing back migrants in a controversial practice. In the Aegean Sea, Greek coast guard boats often drive out approaching migrant boats to the Greek islands.
Over the past five years, 105,437 migrants were intercepted in Turkish seas and rescued by the Coast Guard Command as they headed into rough seas that have claimed many lives over the years.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry rejected Greece’s unlawful attempts to impose fishing bans beyond its jurisdiction in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, stressing that such measures have no legal validity under international law.
The ministry said Greece’s Fisheries Inspection Directorate published maps and established fishing-restricted zones in areas where Athens has no authority, including parts of the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean.
Ankara emphasized that maps drawing imaginary maritime boundaries between Türkiye and Greece are invalid, noting that such depictions violate Türkiye’s maritime jurisdiction.
The ministry underlined that Greece’s authority is limited to its 6-nautical-mile territorial waters, and that any restrictions imposed beyond these limits – including in international waters – are null and void.
It stressed that Türkiye will not accept any unilateral and unlawful actions aimed at restricting the legitimate activities of Turkish fishermen, which are based on international law and historical rights.
Reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, the ministry said disputes should be resolved on the basis of international law, equity and good neighborly relations, in line with the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness signed on Dec. 7, 2023.
Meanwhile, Vice President Fuat Oktay said maps published by Greece designating fishing-restricted zones in areas beyond its jurisdiction have no legal validity, stressing that attempts to impose unilateral restrictions on the legitimate, international law-based activities of Turkish fishermen in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean are unacceptable. He added that Türkiye has never allowed – and will not allow – such unlawful unilateral moves or faits accomplis.
Türkiye, which has the longest continental coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, rejects the maritime boundary claims of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, arguing that their excessive claims violate the sovereign rights of both Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Turkish police detained 21 suspects in raids across four provinces centered in Istanbul as part of an investigation into the outlawed Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), authorities announced Tuesday.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the operation targeted suspects alleged to be active in the group’s “Grup Yorum,” “Prisoners’ Families Solidarity Association (TAYAD)” and “Mahalle Alan” networks.
Police carried out simultaneous raids at 23 addresses in Istanbul, Hatay, Ankara and Kocaeli, detaining 19 suspects in the initial operation, the statement said. Authorities also seized numerous organizational documents and digital materials during searches.
Separately, police searched the Idil Cultural Center in Istanbul’s Şişli district, which prosecutors described as a gathering place for people acting in line with the group’s ideology. Two more people were detained there and added to the investigation.
Efforts to capture four additional suspects for whom detention orders were issued were continuing, prosecutors said.
Türkiye, the United States and the EU classify DHKP-C as a terrorist group.
The terrorist group pursues a far-left ideology and has been actively carrying out attacks and assassinations in the country since the 1980s, but its campaign of violence hit a snag when faced with Türkiye’s barrage of counterterrorism operations.
The DHKP-C’s most high-profile attacks include a suicide bombing that targeted the U.S. Embassy in the capital Ankara in 2013 and the killing of a prosecutor in an Istanbul courthouse in 2015.
Former police chief Hayati Başdağ, who is wanted in multiple cases linked to the outlawed Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), was detained in Istanbul and later jailed pending trial, Turkish authorities announced Tuesday.
The Istanbul Police Department’s counterterrorism and intelligence units, working under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, located Başdağ in the city’s Fatih district and captured him in an operation, authorities said.
Başdağ, a former police chief dismissed from public service as part of an FETÖ investigation, was previously arrested in 2014 and released in 2020, according to the court records cited by officials.
Authorities said arrest warrants had been issued for Başdağ by courts in Ankara and Istanbul on charges including membership in an armed terrorist organization and unlawfully recording personal data.
Investigators also alleged that Başdağ used ByLock, an encrypted messaging application used by FETÖ members, and that he took part in the terrorist group’s alleged network within the Police Academy.
Testimony in the case further described him as a person who received rank directly from FETÖ leader Fethullah Gülen, authorities unrevealed.
The group, which is designated as a terrorist group by Türkiye and led by U.S.-based deceased Gülen, is accused of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt in Türkiye that killed 251 people and injured nearly 2,200.
Başdağ is also among the defendants in several high-profile FETÖ-linked cases, including alleged illegal wiretapping and espionage, the Tahsiye case, and a tape conspiracy targeting former opposition leaders.
The Tahşiye group is known to be a branch of the Nur Movement. The group and its leader, Mehmet Doğan, a former imam, are known for their opposition to FETÖ and have a firmer stance against interfaith dialogue than other movements.
The group is also charged with recording and distributing over the internet sex tapes of former Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal.
Others, mostly lawmakers from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), had also stepped down from their posts after their videos were published online.
Türkiye will step up efforts to enhance school safety following recent attacks that shocked the nation, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, stressing that no concessions will be made when it comes to ensuring the protection of students, teachers and families.
Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, President Erdoğan said the attacks, which took place in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa, affected all 86 million citizens and plunged the country into mourning.
Ten people were killed, and at least 20 others were injured after a student aged about 13 opened fire in Ayşel Çalık Middle School in Kahramanmaraş. The fatal attack took place just one day after another shooter wounded 16 people and then killed himself in a school in the Şanlıurfa province a day earlier.
President Erdoğan said the government will introduce stricter measures targeting firearm ownership, including heavier penalties for gun owners who fail to meet their duty of care, particularly in cases where weapons are accessed by children.
He added that additional legal regulations will be enacted to further limit gun ownership and that a comprehensive policy document and action plan will be implemented. The president also stressed that authorities, including the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), are determined to take a tougher stance against violence and moral degradation in media content, especially on television.
The Turkish Parliament is set to establish a special commission to investigate school violence and propose measures to prevent similar incidents.
“The pain that struck Kahramanmaraş has also struck the hearts of all our provinces,” he said, adding that authorities acted swiftly by dispatching four ministers to the region while officials, lawmakers and party representatives supported the victims’ families from the outset.
He emphasized that violence cannot be addressed through a single approach, highlighting the need for a comprehensive strategy that includes school environments, family dynamics, digital media awareness, deterrence measures and stronger institutional cooperation.
“Today’s world is no longer the same,” Erdoğan said, warning that children are increasingly influenced by digital environments, often spending more time online than with their families. He noted that digital interactions and social media platforms can have a profound impact on young people’s development.
Erdoğan also warned of the risks posed by unregulated online spaces and algorithm-driven content, describing the issue as a complex challenge requiring coordinated and multifaceted solutions.
Erdoğan noted that authorities are examining both attacks from all angles, including digital footprints, to determine possible connections, influences and contacts of the perpetrators.
He said eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the Şanlıurfa incident, while the father of the attacker in Kahramanmaraş – identified as the owner of the weapon used – has also been detained. Erdoğan added that he is closely monitoring the ongoing process.
Describing the incidents as unprecedented for the country, Erdoğan pointed to the broader impact of digitalization and globalization, saying such factors increasingly influence young people. He warned that the side effects of technology and internet exposure can manifest in harmful ways.
Referring to similar attacks worldwide, particularly in the United States, Erdoğan said such acts aim to terrorize society and create widespread fear. “These perpetrators seek to provoke public outrage in a manner similar to terrorist organizations,” he said.
The president also criticized certain media outlets, organizations and political figures, accusing them of making irresponsible statements that may have unintentionally amplified the attackers’ objectives. He urged restraint and criticized attempts to politicize the incidents before full investigations are completed.
“No one has the right to cause anxiety among our teachers, students and families,” Erdoğan said, calling for calm and a measured, collective response guided by reason and pedagogical principles.
Türkiye’s humanitarian assistance to Lebanon will continue, Turkish and Lebanese officials said Monday as displacement worsens due to Israeli attacks.
The remarks came during a ceremony to deliver 360 tons of aid at Beirut port, attended by Lebanese and Turkish officials, including Samir Hadara, a representative of Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri; Development Minister Fadi Makki; Public Works Minister Fayez Rasamny; and Health Committee head Bilal Abdullah.
Also attending were Secretary-General of the Higher Relief Commission Bassam Nabulsi, Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon Murat Lütem, and the head of the Turkish Charity Stone Association (Sadaka Tasi), Kemal Özdal.
“Turkish support comes at a crucial time and reflects genuine solidarity with Lebanon in facing current challenges,” Makki said during the ceremony.
“This support is not limited to the humanitarian aspect but also includes a political stance supporting Lebanon in condemning the Israeli attacks,” he added.
On the Turkish aid, Makki said it includes “vital supplies, particularly tents, to help ensure the resilience of residents in villages along the southern border.”
He expressed hope “that these efforts, alongside support from friendly countries, will help displaced people return to their villages with dignity.”
More than 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon due to the Israeli attacks, while some have begun returning home after a ceasefire took effect amid widespread destruction.
Worsening conditions
The Turkish ambassador highlighted the deep friendship between the Lebanese and Turkish peoples.
“Türkiye will always stand by Lebanon and its friendly people,” Lütem told Anadolu Agency (AA). “Türkiye has consistently stood by Lebanon through its official institutions and non-governmental organizations.
“Israeli attacks since 2024 have caused significant suffering and large-scale displacement, and Türkiye has since provided more than 1,700 tons of humanitarian aid,” he added.
The diplomat said the assistance reflects “the generosity and solidarity of the Turkish people.”
On the current shipment, Lütem said it consists of three batches, with the first arriving in early April, the second delivered Monday, and a third expected soon.
“More than 1 million Lebanese have been displaced from their homes, representing about one-fifth of the population, amid continued violations of the ceasefire, making the need for aid extremely urgent.”
Fair distribution
Health Committee head Bilal Abdullah said Turkish support “is not new, but comes within a policy based on reason, wisdom, and solidarity,” praising the continuity of aid since 2024.
“These efforts have left a significant impact on the conscience of the Lebanese people,” he told Anadolu, expressing gratitude to Türkiye and its institutions.
“We hope to repay Türkiye-its leadership and people-under better and happier circumstances than those Lebanon is experiencing today,” he added.
He said aid distribution is carried out “through a central mechanism via governors, taking into account the number of displaced in each area to ensure fairness.”
Kemal Özdal, head of the Turkish Charity Stone Association, said Türkiye continues to support Lebanon during its difficult circumstances.
“Ties between peoples are not measured by words, but by sincere actions,” he said.
“Turkish civil society organizations stand by Lebanon based on a deep belief in shared human destiny,” he added, noting that about 1,000 tons of aid were sent to Lebanon in 2025 via a dedicated ship.
The new shipment consists of 38 containers worth more than $3 million, including beds, blankets, pillows, tents, ready-to-eat food, and clothing, he said.
Distribution will be coordinated with Lebanon’s Higher Relief Commission and carried out in cooperation with municipalities and civil society organizations to ensure it reaches beneficiaries, he added.
“The Turkish people will remain by the side of the Lebanese people, a partner in hope and support in times of hardship,” Özdal said.
The total weight of the shipment is approximately 360 tons, according to the Turkish Charity Stone Association.
This shipment comes as a continuation of previous efforts, as Turkish organizations had sent about 1,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Lebanon via a special ship during 2024, as part of an ongoing response to increasing humanitarian needs.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, though Israeli forces continue daily violations, causing casualties and destruction.
Since March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed 2,294 people, wounded 7,544, and displaced more than 1 million, according to official figures.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a congratulatory message for the election of Mohammed Samaan Agha as governor of Iraq’s Kirkuk province. The ethnic Turkmen, who was chairperson of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, was elected by the Kirkuk Provincial Council on April 16 and started his tenure officially on Tuesday.
In the statement on Tuesday, the ministry, using the Turkish pronunciation, Mehmet Seman Ağaoğlu, for the new governor, said the election of a Turkmen to the post in Kirkuk, “a province with cultural diversity and plural social fabric, is a highly significant and historic development in terms of inclusivity, fair representation, and consolidation of social peace.”
“We also view this as a long-overdue acknowledgement of a legitimate right for our Turkmen kinsmen, who are an integral component of Iraq and Kirkuk. The rotational sharing of high-level administrative positions in Kirkuk among its components on the basis of consensus is a fair and equitable gain not only for the Turkmen but for all components that make up Kirkuk. We hope that this development will contribute to the peace, security, and prosperity of Iraq and the people of Kirkuk,” the statement said.
Kirkuk has a sizeable population of Turkmens and has been a contested area in terms of elections due to its diverse demographics. It has also been a place contested between the Iraqi administration in Baghdad and Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which controls most of northern Iraq. It was once part of Mosul province, which Türkiye wanted to control after the fall of the Ottoman Empire following World War I. Kirkuk’s last governor of Turkmen origin was Fettah Pasha, who governed during the Kingdom of Iraq, which was under British mandate.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) last week, Agha has pledged to serve as the governor of “every resident of Kirkuk, not just Turkmens.” Kirkuk has a rotating power-sharing model, divided between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens but the system did not produce a Turkmen governor until Agha. He said that they advocated a rotating governorship system since the fall of the Baathist regime in 2003. Agha underlined that it was a challenging process for them to convince Arabs and Kurds.
Türkiye rejects Greece’s unlawful fishing restrictions in Aegean, EastMed
April 23 enthusiasm in the Parliament! Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, received children from 26 countries at the Parliament Ceremony Hall.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz: Long-Term Care Insurance System studies continue
Türkiye rejects Greece’s unlawful fishing restrictions in Aegean, EastMed
April 23 enthusiasm in the Parliament! Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, received children from 26 countries at the Parliament Ceremony Hall.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz: Long-Term Care Insurance System studies continue
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoMinister of Justice Akın Gürlek: “Capacity in the judicial organization is increasing, physical and technical infrastructure is strengthening”
-
Sports2 days agoCity extend Arsenal’s April nightmare to grab title race by scruff of neck
-
Politics2 days agoTürkiye rallies int’l community for protection of children in digital age
-
Economy2 days agoUK on brink of recession, 250,000 jobs could be lost by 2027: Report
-
Economy2 days agoOil prices jump on US-Iran talks uncertainty, stocks hold up
-
Daily Agenda2 days ago7th International award in 9 years for ‘Zero Waste’
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoBREAKING NEWS: Statement from President Erdoğan regarding the school attacks in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa: The perpetrators want to terrorize society
-
Economy2 days agoTürkiye rolling out incentives to ease Istanbul’s development burden