Politics
Israel backs YPG as it hosts so-called autonomous representative
Israel hosted a representative of the so-called autonomous administration in northern Syria at its parliament on Tuesday, drawing attention to shifting regional dynamics as Syrian government forces regain territory from the U.S.-backed terrorist group YPG.
Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said in a post on X that Israel stands with what he described as “the Kurdish minority in Syria’s Rojava region.” Chikli said the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, received Azad Halil, a representative of the so-called autonomous administration that controls parts of northeastern Syria.
According to Chikli, Halil met with lawmakers, including a Druze member of the ruling Likud party and a member of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
In a separate statement on X, Halil thanked Israeli officials for their support and said Kurds and Jews share a historic friendship.
The meeting comes as the Syrian army has advanced operations against the YPG terrorist group, retaking areas east of the Euphrates River, including parts of Deir el-Zour and Raqqa provinces.
Under an agreement that took effect Feb. 2, Syrian government forces have also begun deploying in the cities of Hassakeh and Qamishli, areas previously controlled by the YPG as part of a broader handover process.
Previously, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan noted that the YPG has been “coordinating with Israel for certain activities” and said this cooperation was the biggest obstacle in the YPG’s talks with Damascus. Israel pursued a warm approach toward the YPG, especially after the fall of the Baathist regime, while Tel Aviv also sought to expand its aggression to the new Syria.
Last week, the Syrian government announced that it had reached a “comprehensive agreement” with the YPG that ends the state of division in the country and lays the groundwork for a new phase of full integration.
The latest agreement with the YPG concerning the cities of Hassakeh and Qamishli and the integration of military forces complements the agreement signed on Jan. 18.
On Jan. 18, the Syrian government and the terrorist group signed an agreement calling for a cease-fire and the integration of the group’s members and institutions into the Syrian state, but the group continued to commit violations described by the government as a “serious escalation.”
The agreement followed a military operation launched by the Syrian Army, during which it regained large areas in eastern and northeastern Syria after repeated violations by the YPG of an agreement it signed with the government in March 2025.
Türkiye and Poland pledged to deepen cooperation on security, defense and European affairs on Tuesday, as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlighted the two countries’ key role in Europe’s security architecture and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties with the European Union.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Erdoğan said the two NATO allies were working to enhance cooperation across a range of areas, describing Türkiye and Poland as indispensable partners in Europe’s security and defense architecture.
Erdoğan also thanked Warsaw for its support of Türkiye’s European Union accession bid and said it remained determined to advance relations with the bloc on the basis of mutual benefit and respect.
“As two NATO allies that play an indispensable role in Europe’s security and defense architecture, we are committed to strengthening our cooperation,” Erdoğan said.
He added that it had the will to further develop ties with the European Union while pursuing closer coordination with Poland on regional and strategic issues.
Turning to regional issues, he said: “One of the issues that must never be overshadowed in this context is the path toward lasting peace in Palestine and the Middle East.”
On Palestine, Erdoğan said Ankara expects Poland to maintain its support for a two-state solution, noting that Warsaw is among the countries recognizing the state of Palestine.
“We also thoroughly discussed the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran-related issues during our meeting. We underlined the urgent need for peace in both areas,” he added.
Nawrocki, for his part, said cooperation between Türkiye and Poland carries strategic importance and that bilateral ties continue to expand across various fields, including the defense industry.
Nawrocki added that he discussed a range of issues with the Turkish president, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war, stressing that Poland and Türkiye play vital roles within NATO.
Polish president said trade between Poland and Türkiye has continued to grow despite the Ukraine war. He emphasized that both countries are responsible for defending the alliance’s flanks and described bilateral cooperation as strategically important, thanking Erdoğan for Türkiye’s support and adding that their ties help strengthen NATO.
He also highlighted defense cooperation as a key area, noting discussions on expanding collaboration between the two countries’ defense industries under a bilateral agreement signed last year.
Nawrocki said Polish soldiers use Bayraktar TB2 drones purchased from Türkiye and stressed Poland’s commitment to maintaining and extending its military presence at Incirlik Air Base.
Emphasizing the centuries-old friendship between Poland and Türkiye, the Polish leader said he will attend the upcoming NATO summit and congratulated Türkiye on hosting the alliance’s meeting in Ankara, expressing confidence that it would be productive.
Erdoğan welcomed Nawrocki with an official ceremony in Ankara.
Cavalry units escorted Nawrocki’s official vehicle from the avenue in front of the presidential complex to the protocol gate.
Erdoğan received Nawrocki at the main entrance, and as both leaders took their places at the ceremony area, a military band played the national anthems of Türkiye and Poland.
Following the ceremony, Erdoğan and Nawrocki moved on to a bilateral meeting. Erdoğan will also host an official dinner in honor of Nawrocki.
Also attending the ceremony were Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, Chief of Staff Hasan Doğan, Presidential Secretary-General Hakkı Susmaz, chief foreign policy and security adviser Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Türkiye’s ambassador to Warsaw Rauf Alp Denktaş, and Ankara Governor Yakup Canbolat.
Türkiye will continue supporting the Palestinian cause until an independent, sovereign and territorially contiguous Palestinian state is established along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said on Tuesday during talks with his Palestinian counterpart in Ankara.
During a meeting with Palestinian Interior Minister Ziad Hab Al-Reeh, Çiftçi said the events unfolding in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories would be remembered as one of the greatest humanitarian tragedies of the modern era.
According to a statement from the Interior Ministry, the two ministers discussed regional developments, the situation in Gaza, support for Palestine and security cooperation between the two countries.
Çiftçi said Israeli attacks that have killed more than 72,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023 had left deep scars on humanity’s conscience and criticized Israel for disregarding humanitarian and moral values. He added that more than 2,400 Israeli cease-fire violations and the displacement of over one million people highlighted the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
He also warned that Israel’s policies had expanded beyond the Palestinian territories to affect regional stability, citing developments involving Lebanon and Iran as evidence of the broader security risks facing the Middle East.
Türkiye, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, remains committed to efforts aimed at ending the bloodshed, alleviating the humanitarian crisis and advancing a two-state solution based on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, Çiftçi said.
“Both our state and our nation approach the Palestinian issue with great sensitivity. Our support will continue with the same determination until an independent, sovereign and territorially intact Palestinian state is established with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he said.
Çiftçi said Türkiye had delivered humanitarian assistance to Gaza through 14 aircraft and 21 ships sent to Egypt’s El-Arish port and that total aid sent since Oct. 7, 2023 had reached nearly 110,000 tons through airlifts, maritime deliveries, locally procured assistance and cooperation with the United Nations.
He added that Türkiye was also expanding security cooperation with Palestine through training programs for Palestinian institutions. According to the ministry, Turkish law enforcement agencies have provided 108 training courses to Palestinian police personnel, while nearly 2,000 officers have participated in professional exchange programs. A total of 143 Palestinian students have graduated from Türkiye’s Police Academy, with additional students currently enrolled.
For his part, Hab Al-Reeh thanked Türkiye for its support of the Palestinian cause.
“We see this support at every stage of the Palestinian cause. We thank the Republic of Türkiye and everyone who stands with us,” he said, adding that Palestinians would continue to stand firm and pursue a just peace in the region.
Following the meeting, Hab Al-Reeh presented Çiftçi with a mother-of-pearl model of Al-Aqsa Mosque as a gift.
European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said on Tuesday that Türkiye plays a pivotal role in the bloc’s Connectivity Agenda, stressing that a strong Middle Corridor and deeper digital, energy and trade links would be difficult to imagine without Ankara’s active participation.
Speaking ahead of the high-level opening event of the Connectivity Agenda Platform in Brussels, Kos welcomed the participation of Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and said the EU would continue its engagement with Türkiye.
Kos said she would meet Turkish officials later in the day and announced plans to visit Ankara at the end of the month alongside EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner.
She noted that EU-Türkiye relations are currently progressing on two separate tracks, saying there has been no movement in Türkiye’s accession process at this stage but significant opportunities remain under the connectivity agenda.
“I cannot imagine having a strong Middle Corridor and all these digital, energy and trade connections without Türkiye’s strong participation,” Kos said.
The commissioner added that the European Commission had received a list of potential connectivity projects from Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry and was assessing them alongside proposals submitted by other countries, with work on the initiatives continuing.
Türkiye urges faster visas, simpler customs procedures
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Uraloğlu called for faster visa issuance for transport workers and simpler customs procedures to prevent delays in global supply chains, warning that administrative bottlenecks can undermine even completed commercial deals.
Speaking to reporters following the high-level launch of the Connectivity Agenda Platform in Brussels, Uraloğlu said international trade cannot function efficiently if goods are delayed at borders despite being already produced, sold, and paid for.
“If road and rail transport visas are not issued on time, if customs crossings are not facilitated, and if digital infrastructure is not established, then in fact the work you have completed is wasted at customs gates or visa procedures,” he said.
“We really need to make this easier. If we’re not going to make it easier, then why are we doing trade at all?” Uraloğlu added.
The minister stressed that all countries are now deeply interdependent and no longer self-sufficient in production and trade, making efficient cross-border logistics more critical than ever.
“None of the countries, including the most developed ones, can be self-sufficient anymore,” he said, adding that international trade must therefore be supported by faster administrative systems.
Uraloğlu said Türkiye is actively engaging with the EU to strengthen transport connectivity, particularly along the Middle Corridor linking Asia and Europe through Türkiye.
He said that there is growing recognition in Brussels that transport routes must be diversified and not dependent on a single mode or corridor, especially in light of recent global disruptions.
“Therefore, at this point, we see a determination and will to cooperate more strongly with Türkiye,” the minister said.
Uraloğlu recalled that Ankara has long advocated major connectivity investments, including the planned Northern Rail Crossing over the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge in Istanbul.
He said the project has already received support from European funding mechanisms under World Bank leadership, and that additional EU credit instruments could be mobilized for future connectivity investments along the corridor.
On the sidelines of the event, Uraloğlu said he held talks with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, adding that she is expected to visit Istanbul next week, with further bilateral discussions planned thereafter.
He also highlighted ongoing regional engagement with Armenia, saying he had a bilateral meeting with Armenian Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister Davit Khudatyan.
According to Uraloğlu, both sides are working toward reactivating previously operational road and rail crossings.
He said maintenance and preparatory works are progressing on both sides, with Türkiye having begun its own preparations while the Armenian side has also indicated readiness to proceed.
Uraloğlu added that improving regional connectivity could also help restore historical transport links along the Silk Road corridor, referencing ongoing efforts tied to the restoration of a historic bridge in the Kars Ani region.
A recent report approved by European Parliament dominated the speech of Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the government ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) as he addressed fellow party members at a parliamentary group meeting in Ankara on Tuesday.
Bahçeli slammed EU for attempting to control Türkiye and “steer it.” He accused European Parliament report of being an instrument to cover up Europe’s own shortcomings. “No one can dare to shape our country,” he said.
The report voted last week was full of accusations towards Türkiye in almost every field, to the chagrin of Ankara which enjoys good relations with EU countries despite facing obstacle after obstacle in its decades-long bid to join the 27-member bloc. A highlight of the report was call for sanctions against Justice Minister Akın Gürlek. Although such reports which are published annually and not binding are nothing new for Türkiye, Ankara views it as an attempt by certain countries to block Türkiye’s cooperation with EU, especially in changing security architecture. This issue was also cited by Bahçeli, as he implied that Europe needed Türkiye more than Türkiye needed it, in light of changing dynamics, especially for defense of the continent and worsening ties between EU and the United States.
Bahçeli said Europe cannot “brought Türkiye into line through threats.”
“Everyone should watch their step, know their limits, and remember their place,” he said.
He noted that Europe had long spoken about “strategic autonomy,” yet had still failed to free its defense, political, and economic structures from Washington’s shadow. Referring to statements by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Bahçeli said Europe was now seriously concerned about how it would fill its security gap as the United States signaled a reduction in its military contributions to Europe.
Bahçeli criticized Europe for attempting to lecture Türkiye on democracy, law, security, and foreign policy while continually promoting accusations disguised as reports, threats veiled as sanctions, and outdated anti-Turkish narratives.
“Europe has noticed the cracks in the walls of its own house, yet it has not abandoned its desire to nail reports onto Türkiye’s door,” he stated. “With what face can such a Europe lecture Türkiye? With what mind can it presume to set standards for the Turkish state? With what audacity can it speak against the values of our nation and the institutions of our state?” he added.
The MHP leader recounted how Europe harbored terrorists for years and allowed pro-PKK groups to rally despite the latter’s designation as a terrorist group.
He asked whether those struggling with migration pressures in their own continent had any right to lecture Türkiye on humanity after it had opened its doors to millions of refugees. He also questioned whether countries dependent on U.S. decisions for their own security had any standing to criticize Türkiye’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine and its maritime jurisdiction claims in the Eastern Mediterranean, referring to a chapter in the report.
The report has also called upon for an European ban on “Grey Wolves” or Ülkü Ocakları (Idealists’ Clubs) as is known in Türkiye, an association associated with MHP. Bahçeli argued that references to the Clubs represented an old hostility in a new form. He recalled efforts in the U.S. House of Representatives to include a provision in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act requiring an investigation into whether Ülkü Ocakları was a terrorist organization. He noted that Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had condemned that initiative at the time as a biased effort driven by anti-Turkish lobbying groups.
“The goal was the same then as it is today. The capitals from which these statements emerge may change, but the intention has not.” He accused critics of attempting to criminalize Turkish nationalism and detach Turkish youth from their national and spiritual values. Describing Ülkü Ocakları as the home of Turkish youth loyal to the state, devoted to the flag and homeland, and firmly opposed to terrorism, he said the organization was being unfairly targeted in European public opinion.
“On one side stands a Europe that is forced to recognize Türkiye’s weight within NATO, its rise in the defense industry, its role in migration management, its place in energy routes, and its geopolitical importance stretching from the Black Sea to the Caucasus and from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Middle East. On the other side stands a Europe that targets the Turkish judiciary, slanders our beloved Ülkü Ocakları, belittles our Blue Homeland cause, and ignores the sovereign equality of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people. Whoever attempts to object to Türkiye’s sphere of sovereignty will face us. We will teach those who challenge the Turkish nation, blow by blow, who we are,” he said.
Mustafa Şen, deputy chair of ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), told journalists on Tuesday that their party still leads in the polls after more than two decades in power. Şen said the opposition “dreamed on” about the polls, referring to claims by main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) which pushes for an early election, confident of defeating AK Party. CHP’s early election rhetoric is now confined to supporters of Özgür Özel, the chairman ousted from the post by a court verdict last month. Özel is as confident as his successor Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to win the next election scheduled for 2028, five years after Kılıçdaroğlu lost to AK Party’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan despite the support of a six-party opposition bloc.
Şen said that AK Party ranked second in the polls for about seven months, before it rose to the first place in October 2024. “We conducted a poll last week and we will have another this week. Based on these, we still have 37% or 38%. The polls are not surprising since our party at one point had a 50% lead in polls. We are now working to improve the results,” he said. Şen stated “the second party” in the polls had a 26%-27% rate.
On CHP’s call for early elections, Şen said AK Party always favored elections in time but the date may be slightly rescheduled to an earlier date, but only “weeks or months before the scheduled date,” he said. Şen also ruled out the speculation that Erdoğan would not be nominated again. “Our candidate is our president,” he underlined. On a question whether Erdoğan would be eligible to run again as it may require a parliamentary approval for an earlier election for his eligibility, Şen said they would accomplish the majority to that extent. People’s Alliance comprised AK Party and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are about forty short of majority for approval but Şen ruled out that there would be problems in achieving majority. “The politics is art of achieving this,” he said, without elaborating. CHP has earlier hinted voting in favor of an earlier election for eligibility of Erdoğan though they advocated a far earlier vote.
Özgür Özel, who was removed from office as the leader of Republican People’s Party (CHP) with a court verdict last month over allegations of vote-buying, called reinstated leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to hold an intra-party election.
Özel, now parliamentary group chair of the party, made his second speech at the parliamentary group meeting since his removal while Kılıçdaroğlu decided to skip the address traditionally done by party leaders. Instead, he attended Tuesday’s administrative committee meetings of the party where new administration under Kılıçdaroğlu would reportedly discuss expulsion of pro-Özel names from the party.
“I invite Mr. Kemal to make a historic decision and end the deadlock in our party, our country,” Özel said in his speech in Ankara. His supporters already mobilized delegates for a petition calling for an extraordinary convention in the party. They believe Özel can win a new vote while Kılıçdaroğlu so far dragged his feet although he pledged that a convention would be held eventually.
Kılıçdaroğlu often repeats that he is seeking to cleanse CHP of “corruption” in reference to vote-buying allegations that reportedly brought Özel to power in the party in November 2023 and corruption allegations engulfing CHP-run municipalities.
Özel said that the party should get rid of “shame of not holding an election.” He noted that it was CHP which introduced elections to Republic of Türkiye. CHP, Türkiye’s oldest party, was established by Republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and until first multi-party elections in 1950, de facto governed the country. Since then, the party failed to win any general election alone.
“One way or another, we will take back this party,” Özel said. The former leader hinted at establishing a new party with his supporters but abstained to take concrete action so far.
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