Politics
Turkish intelligence captures Daesh operative in cross-border operation
Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) captured a suspected member of the Daesh terrorist group’s Afghanistan-based affiliate in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region and brought him back to Türkiye, security sources said Friday.
The suspect, identified as Uğur Bahadır, who used the code name “Abdullah,” was allegedly operating within Daesh’s Khorasan Province (ISKP) and carrying out assignments at several terrorist training camps in the region.
According to intelligence gathered by MIT, Bahadır traveled from Türkiye to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region in 2024 and joined the terrorist group, where he underwent training and performed various operational duties.
Following intelligence-gathering efforts, MIT launched an operation targeting Bahadır, capturing him in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region before transferring him to Türkiye.
During questioning, Bahadır reportedly provided information about the group’s recruitment activities, training programs, operational assignments and organizational structure in the region.
He also disclosed details of his connections with Özgür Altun, a Daesh operative known by the code name “Abu Yasir al-Turki,” who allegedly coordinated the transfer of recruits from Türkiye to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
Altun, who was captured in early 2025, had played an active role in facilitating the movement of Daesh members from Türkiye to the region and carrying out assignments on behalf of the terrorist group.
Bahadır was also reportedly associated with Ahmet Kazancı, another Daesh operative known by the aliases “Abu Ubeyde” and “Abu Ibrahim,” who was captured in early 2026.
Kazancı had been operating within Daesh’s media unit, a propaganda branch for the group.
According to the intelligence findings, the operation helped disrupt Daesh’s alleged plans to carry out attacks targeting Türkiye, expose its recruitment networks and uncover details of its planned activities.
U.S. President Donald Trump called President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday as he hosted a Republic Day dinner attended by fellow Turkic leaders, with the two discussing the upcoming summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Ankara.
During the phone call, Erdoğan conveyed greetings from the leaders attending the dinner, held as Türkiye marked the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the republic on Oct. 29, according to a statement made by the Communications Directorate.
Erdoğan told Trump that Ankara would host the 13th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the OTS, where participating leaders are expected to adopt decisions aimed at strengthening the organization’s role in regional cooperation.
He highlighted the organization’s growing importance as a pillar of stability and security in Central Asia, representing a combined population of more than 200 million people.
Trump, for his part, extended his best wishes to Erdoğan for the upcoming OTS summit.
This was the second correspondence between the two leaders in less than 24 hours.
On Wednesday, Erdoğan told Trump that Türkiye was working toward a diplomatic resolution to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen, as Ankara closely monitors developments in the region, the Communications Directorate said.
The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) adopted a 163-point declaration on Friday outlining plans to deepen cooperation in defense, cybersecurity, trade, energy and transportation, as Türkiye assumed the organization’s rotating chairpersonship following its 13th summit in Ankara.
The “Ankara Declaration,” adopted at the summit chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, emphasized strengthening strategic partnerships among Turkic nations and expanding coordination on regional and global security challenges.
The meeting brought together leaders and senior officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
The declaration reaffirmed respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders while welcoming progress on a proposed treaty on strategic partnership, eternal friendship and brotherhood among Turkic states.
One of the declaration’s key proposals was exploring the establishment of an OTS Defense Industry College program hosted by Türkiye to strengthen technical expertise, personnel training and knowledge sharing.
The initiative follows the adoption of a defense industry cooperation roadmap during a meeting of OTS defense industry agency heads in Baku on Oct. 1.
Member states also called for accelerating consultations on establishing an OTS Cybersecurity Council and signing a memorandum of understanding on cybersecurity cooperation.
The declaration emphasized closer coordination against terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and transnational organized crime.
Support for Turkish Cypriots
The declaration reaffirmed support for the inherent equal rights of Turkish Cypriots, describing them as an integral part of the Turkic world.
It called for a negotiated, mutually acceptable and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus dispute based on the island’s existing realities.
On Gaza, the leaders urged full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803 and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, while reiterating support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The declaration also reaffirmed support for Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and reconstruction.
Turkic leaders pledged to strengthen the Trans-Caspian International East-West Middle Corridor, improve integration with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and support development of the Zangezur Corridor and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
The declaration also encouraged cooperation on energy security, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Southern Gas Corridor and regional green energy projects.
Member states backed greater investment through the Turkic Investment Fund and efforts to simplify customs procedures and expand digital trade.
In technology, leaders welcomed completion of the production phase of the jointly developed 12U OTS-SAT CubeSat and called for accelerating preparations for its launch.
They also encouraged cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and the Digital Silk Road initiative.
Uzbekistan will host the organization’s 14th summit in 2027, while Kyrgyzstan has offered to host an informal summit the same year.
The Ankara Declaration was signed in Turkish, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Uzbek.
Sinem Dedetaş, former mayor of Istanbul’s Üsküdar district, was released on Thursday in a corruption case, but the court ordered house arrest as part of judicial control measures.
Dedetaş, who was elected to office in the 2024 elections as the candidate of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was arrested last July in an investigation into allegations of irregularities in zoning and construction permits issued by the municipality. She was later suspended from office, and a candidate of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) replaced her after a by-election as acting mayor. The new mayor died in a car crash earlier this month, and Muhammed Emin Sarıoğlu, another AK Party candidate, was elected as acting mayor.
The corruption probe was launched months ago over allegations of bribery and other wrongdoings committed by municipal officials. Along with Dedetaş, her deputy mayor, adviser, and heads of municipal subsidiaries were detained on charges of running a criminal ring thriving on illicit gains.
Investigators concluded that despite having no authority in the building permit issuance process at Üsküdar Municipality, officials of Kent Inc., a municipal subsidiary, coordinated the process by instructing municipal personnel through an Excel spreadsheet featuring color-coded plots of land by block and parcel. The spreadsheet was shared via a communications network established through encrypted, closed-circuit email.
According to data from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), numerous sham “consultancy service” contracts worth a total of more than TL 1 million ($20,000) had been signed between Kent Inc. and contractors. Investigators determined that more than TL 361 million had been unlawfully extorted from contractors seeking to obtain building permits through unofficial channels as part of the activities of a criminal organization operating for financial gain within Üsküdar Municipality and Kent Inc.
Investigators determined, based on telephone traffic (HTS) records, cell tower data and suspects’ statements, that when the total construction volume was substantial, bribes were collected from contractors in cash in dollars under the coordination of Dedetaş’ adviser U.M. and Kent Inc. General Manager N.A. Despite violating regulations, occupancy permits were issued in exchange for the bribes, with the money delivered in installments to U.M., an adviser to Sinem Dedetaş, inside the Üsküdar Municipality building, according to investigators.
Simultaneous raids were conducted at 11 addresses on July 29, and six suspects were taken into custody.
Among the suspects, Sinem Dedetaş, her private secretary Alihan Koçoğlu, architect Burçin Çevik and contractor Bülent Orhan Tozkoparan were remanded in custody by the court. Deputy Mayor Ceyhun Ünlü and fixer Adem Altıntaş were released under judicial supervision.
As part of the investigation, Deputy Mayors Amine Cansu Çelik and Mithat Özdemir were also taken into custody on Sept. 2 to give statements. Özdemir, who was referred to the courthouse, was released under judicial supervision subject to a travel ban.
Çelik, who had been remanded in custody, was subsequently released under judicial supervision, with an order for her house arrest.
As the investigation continued, Burak Aydın, the municipality’s director of permit inspection, and business operator Erdem Koyunyerli were also remanded in custody.
Türkiye and Uzbekistan signed five agreements on Thursday aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, social security and business development following a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Ankara.
The agreements were signed at the Presidential Complex after Erdoğan held talks with Mirziyoyev, who arrived in the Turkish capital to attend the 13th Organization of Turkic States (OTS) summit.
Erdoğan invited Mirziyoyev to the COP31 Leaders Summit in Antalya during talks in Ankara focused on strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation among Turkic states.
He reaffirmed Ankara’s commitment to deepening its high-level strategic partnership with Tashkent, particularly in trade, investment, mining, transportation and the defense industry.
He also expressed confidence that the OTS would continue to grow stronger through new cooperation initiatives, voicing hope that the upcoming leaders’ summit in Ankara would mark a significant milestone for the organization.
Erdoğan welcomed his Uzbek counterpart at the entrance of the Presidential Complex before their meeting.
The agreements included an additional protocol amending a 2022 arrangement on the advance exchange of information concerning vehicles and goods crossing national borders, signed by Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.
A separate protocol amending the preferential trade agreement between the two countries was signed by Bolat and Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov.
Turkish Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan and Saidov signed a bilateral social security agreement, along with a separate administrative agreement governing its implementation.
Erdoğan and Mirziyoyev also signed an agreement establishing a high-level council to support the business community and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreements come as Ankara and Tashkent seek to expand bilateral trade, which reached $3.1 billion in 2025, toward their shared target of $5 billion.
Earlier Thursday, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz welcomed Mirziyoyev, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov at the airport ahead of the OTS summit.
In a statement shared on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Yılmaz expressed hope that the gathering would strengthen solidarity and cooperation among Turkic states.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend the G-20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, U.S., on Oct. 30-31, where he is expected to address regional conflicts, energy security and disruptions to global trade.
Fidan is scheduled to deliver remarks during sessions on “Geopolitical Tensions,” “Energy” and “Supply Chains,” according to Foreign Ministry sources.
During the discussions, Fidan is expected to emphasize the need for increased international pressure on Israel, arguing that its continued attacks and refusal to compromise undermine international efforts to establish peace in Gaza.
He is also expected to reiterate Türkiye’s support for resolving tensions between the U.S. and Iran through dialogue and diplomacy, warning that continued hostilities could deepen regional instability.
Fidan is expected to highlight the impact of attacks targeting commercial vessels and energy infrastructure in the Black Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf region.
Such attacks threaten global energy supplies, food security and international trade, he is expected to emphasize, underscoring the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and security along strategic maritime routes.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, the minister is expected to warn of growing risks as fighting intensifies and expands into new areas.
He is also expected to reaffirm Türkiye’s continued engagement with both Moscow and Kyiv to restore security in the Black Sea.
Fidan will further emphasize Ankara’s commitment to regional ownership of conflict resolution efforts and cooperation with international partners to strengthen stability and security.
Türkiye’s role in G-20
Türkiye previously held the G-20 presidency in 2015, hosting the leaders’ summit in Antalya on Nov. 15-16.
During its presidency, terrorism and the refugee crisis were formally included in the summit’s political agenda for the first time. The Women 20 engagement group was also established under Türkiye’s leadership.
The U.S. assumed the G-20 presidency in December 2025 and is scheduled to host the leaders’ summit in Miami on Dec. 14-15, 2026.
The G-20 comprises 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union, representing approximately 85% of global economic output and 75% of international trade.
Türkiye on Thursday marked the 103th anniversary of the foundation of Republic of Türkiye, which is observed as Republic Day. The highlight of events on the occasion was in the capital, Ankara, where founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk launched a critical part of the War of Independence and reshaped the country after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Here, Erdoğan and other top officials, politicians and dignitaries visited Atatürk’s mausoleum, Anıtkabir, and the president declared their commitment to the cause established by Atatürk more than a century ago.
Republic Day is one of the most important national holidays in Türkiye, which owes its existence as a democratic country to the collective work of Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms and a nation that fiercely fought for independence in the post-World War I period when an assorted mix of enemies invaded Anatolia.
Atatürk sought to modernize post-war Türkiye and raise its profile as a prominent member of the international community, with little the country had in the coffers and in terms of human resources, in the wake of a string of wars since the late 19th-century Ottomans.
As he wrote in the memorial visitor book at Anıtkabir, Erdoğan recalled Atatürk’s iconic speech at the Turkish Parliament on March 1, 1922, before the declaration of the republic. “In light of your remarks that no force existed to deter us from pursuing our national cause and the national cause was our life, we will continue working resolutely to achieve the goal of the ‘Century of Türkiye,’ our national cause,” Erdoğan wrote. He was referring to an ambitious set of goals he announced for Türkiye’s future ahead of republic’s centenary, which range from elevating diplomatic success globally to prosperity and development covering all fields from education to defense and health care.
In a symbol of devotion to the cause of developing Türkiye, Erdoğan wore a tie in the color of the Turkish flag decorated with figures of Kaan, Türkiye’s national fighter jet. It was another version of a tie bearing the same figures he wore while addressing the parliamentary group meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) last week, on the same day Türkiye signed the landmark Badr memorandum of understanding to further defense ties with Qatar, Indonesia and Pakistan. Erdoğan’s choice reflects both the rising local defense industry and the country’s ambition for sovereignty in Turkish skies, after decades of dependence on other countries for defense products.
Later on Thursday, Erdoğan was also scheduled to host leaders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) ahead of a major summit of the body Türkiye co-founded in a bid to form a body of international cooperation primarily focused on countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
After a ceremony at Anıtkabir, Erdoğan returned to the Presidential Complex and hosted guests, extending greetings to the Turkish leader for Republic Day. Among them were high-ranking officials, from heads of the country’s top courts to the parliamentary speaker, from politicians and top military brass to ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in Türkiye, as well as descendants of heroes of the War of Independence Atatürk led decades ago and Turkish Olympians.
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