Thousands of students and residents marched on Friday silently through the streets of Alanya in southern Türkiye, carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags to protest Israeli attacks on Gaza and drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians.

Thousands of students and residents gathered in the Alanya district of southern Türkiye’s Antalya province for a silent march protesting Israel’s attacks on Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinians.

The demonstration, titled “Silent Cry for Gaza,” was organized by the Alanya Imam Hatip Alumni Association (ALIMDER) in cooperation with the Alanya District Directorate of National Education and the District Directorate of Youth and Sports.

Carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags alongside banners, demonstrators walked without chanting slogans, using silence to draw attention to the suffering of civilians in Gaza.

Following the march, ALIMDER President Isa Arıkan delivered a statement condemning the humanitarian situation in Gaza and criticizing what he described as the international community’s silence over Palestinian suffering.

“We gathered here today to let our conscience speak where words have failed,” Arıkan said.

“We did not shout today because the cries of children in Gaza were louder than our voices. We did not chant slogans because the silence of destroyed homes was heavier than any slogan,” he added.

Arıkan noted the demonstration was intended to raise awareness of the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and encourage greater international attention to the plight of Palestinians.

He argued that the suffering in Gaza should not be viewed solely in the context of the past three years but as part of a longer history of occupation, blockade, displacement and violence affecting Palestinians.

Describing the situation as a test of humanity, Arıkan accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and condemned attacks affecting children, hospitals, schools and residential areas.

“We simply walked today, but every step we took became a question directed at the conscience of the world,” he said.

Karam Saleh, a Palestinian student in Alanya and a representative of Palestinian students in the district, expressed appreciation for the demonstration and the support shown by local residents.

Saleh, whose family lives in Palestine, said solidarity events organized in Türkiye provide encouragement to Palestinians and remind them that they have not been forgotten.

“This march was truly meaningful. I will do my best to convey it to Palestine,” Saleh said.

“When such demonstrations take place, people in Palestine feel happy because they realize they are not alone and have not been abandoned in their struggle,” he added.

The demonstration concluded with prayers and messages of support for Palestinians, as participants reiterated their calls for greater international awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul on Saturday as the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties, the Russia-Ukraine war and growing security concerns in the Black Sea.

Zelenskyy arrived in Istanbul earlier in the day for a working visit at Erdoğan’s invitation. He was welcomed at the airport by Turkish National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.

The Ukrainian president confirmed his arrival in a post on X, saying he had landed in Istanbul with his delegation for important discussions with Erdoğan.

“We’re working to strengthen the protection of our people, our bilateral partnership with Türkiye, and real diplomatic prospects,” Zelenskyy wrote.

He also highlighted the importance of maritime security, saying there were significant issues to address concerning commercial shipping in the Black Sea. A meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was also on his agenda.

The two presidents met at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Office, where their discussions were expected to focus on expanding cooperation between Ankara and Kyiv and addressing regional and international developments.

Turkish Presidency Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said the talks would cover steps to further develop bilateral relations, with particular attention to the war in Ukraine and the security situation in the Black Sea.

A joint news conference was expected following the meeting.

Black Sea security

The safety of commercial shipping has become an increasingly important concern for Türkiye as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to threaten maritime traffic and critical infrastructure in the region.

Both countries’ military operations have created risks for civilian vessels, including those transporting essential goods through the Black Sea. Attacks involving drones, missiles and naval mines have raised concerns about the potential impact on international trade and regional stability.

Türkiye has repeatedly called on Moscow and Kyiv to avoid attacks on commercial shipping and respect maritime safety principles.

Speaking after a trilateral meeting with Bulgarian and Romanian defense ministers in Sofia in late October, Güler warned both sides against further attacks on civilian vessels. He also said Türkiye reserved its legal rights in the event of strikes against Turkish-flagged or Turkish-owned ships.

Ankara has proposed measures to prevent attacks on commercial vessels and improve maritime safety, including efforts to facilitate grain shipments. Türkiye has also worked with regional partners on mine countermeasures and the protection of undersea infrastructure.

The issue is particularly important for Türkiye, which controls access between the Mediterranean and Black Sea through the Turkish Straits and has consistently sought to prevent the conflict from further destabilizing the region.

Türkiye maintains diplomatic role

Türkiye has maintained relations with both Ukraine and Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, while supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ankara played a central role in brokering the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative alongside the United Nations, allowing Ukrainian agricultural exports to reach international markets despite the war. The agreement collapsed in 2023 after Russia withdrew.

Türkiye has since continued to offer its diplomatic support for efforts to end the conflict, including hosting negotiations between the two sides in Istanbul.

Erdoğan and Zelenskyy have also maintained contact through bilateral meetings and international diplomatic engagements. Their discussions have included maritime security, trade, defense cooperation and possible avenues for renewed negotiations.

The relationship extends beyond diplomacy, with both countries exploring opportunities for cooperation in defense technology and industry. Ukrainian officials have expressed interest in combining Türkiye’s technological capabilities with Ukraine’s engineering expertise, particularly in the development of drones and other defense systems.

Economic cooperation, energy projects and Ukraine’s eventual reconstruction also remain important areas of bilateral engagement.

Zelenskyy to meet Ecumenical Patriarch

Beyond his meeting with Erdoğan, Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Patriarchate in Istanbul’s Fener district.

The Ukrainian president has previously held discussions with the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians on humanitarian concerns arising from the war, including the plight of Ukrainian children, as well as the religious situation in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy thanked those supporting his country ahead of the visit, emphasizing the importance of continued international solidarity as Kyiv pursues diplomatic efforts and seeks stronger security guarantees.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has pledged to expand Türkiye’s domestic medical technology industry, saying the country aims to achieve in health care the same level of success it has reached in the defense sector.

Speaking Saturday at the closing session of the 12th Turkish Medical World Congress and the 2026 TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Science, Service and Incentive Awards Ceremony in Istanbul, Erdoğan highlighted investments in locally manufactured medical equipment, including ventilators, heart-lung machines and ultrasound devices.

“Just as we have written an epic in the defense industry, we will achieve the same success in the health care sector,” Erdoğan said, adding that Türkiye would continue striving to become a global leader in health care with the support of scientists and industry representatives.

The president pointed to progress in domestic medical manufacturing, saying Türkiye was increasingly producing equipment that it previously had to import.

“With our domestic production model in health care, we are now manufacturing medical devices and equipment ourselves instead of purchasing them from abroad,” he said.

Erdoğan cited ventilators manufactured in Batman using domestic resources as an example, noting that the devices were being used in Turkish hospitals and exported to 45 countries.

He also said a domestically developed heart-lung machine had been brought into use, while Türkiye was working toward local ultrasound device production, with an annual manufacturing target of 700 units.

The remarks come as Türkiye seeks to strengthen its medical technology capabilities and reduce reliance on imported equipment. Erdoğan said investments, incentives and support programs were being directed toward improving the country’s health infrastructure, particularly as artificial intelligence and digital technologies reshape modern medicine.

Describing the congress as an important opportunity to assess future priorities and develop new strategies, Erdoğan said the government’s vision for a “Healthy Türkiye Century” placed particular emphasis on scientific research, innovation and domestic production.

He congratulated the scientists and companies receiving awards, saying their work could inspire younger generations and help advance medical research. He also stressed the importance of building on previous scientific achievements through new discoveries and technological development.

Erdoğan praises health care workers

Beyond domestic production, Erdoğan paid tribute to health care professionals across Türkiye, thanking doctors, nurses, technicians, caregivers and other medical staff for their dedication.

He said health workers routinely operated under demanding conditions, often sacrificing time with their families and personal rest to ensure patients received timely and quality treatment.

“Every member of our health care workforce working around the clock in all 81 provinces to bring healing to patients and give hope and strength to their relatives has my greetings and affection,” he said.

Erdoğan praised professionals in both the public and private sectors, saying their efforts had helped bring Türkiye’s health care services to their current level.

Quoting the late Turkish poet Erdem Bayazıt, he referred to doctors whose sleep seemed to fall from their white uniforms, highlighting the personal sacrifices made by medical professionals.

He also paid tribute to doctors who had died, remembering their contributions to medical science and the lives of their patients.

The president thanked academics and health care workers whose research, expertise and commitment had contributed to building a healthier Türkiye, emphasizing the importance of continuing their work through scientific innovation.

The 12th Turkish Medical World Congress brought together participants from across Türkiye, the broader Turkic world and other countries.

Erdoğan praised the Health Ministry and the Turkish Health Institutes Presidency (TÜSEB) for organizing the gathering, describing it as an important platform for cooperation and the exchange of scientific knowledge.

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ personal envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, arrived on the island Friday for a new round of diplomatic consultations with Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders aimed at advancing efforts to resolve the long-standing Cyprus dispute.

Holguin met with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides on Friday before holding separate talks with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Tufan Erhürman on Monday, Nov. 2.

According to Greek Cypriot media reports, Holguin’s meeting with Erhürman is expected to take place at 11:30 a.m. Monday, the Greek Cypriot news agency CNA reported.

The separate consultations are expected to pave the way for a trilateral meeting involving Holguin and the two leaders on Nov. 9 under U.N. auspices.

The upcoming talks are expected to focus on confidence-building measures, negotiation methodology and ways to maintain dialogue between the two sides.

The United Nations previously said the leaders had continued exchanging views on confidence-building measures, the methodology of negotiations and substantive issues related to the Cyprus dispute.

Holguin’s latest visit follows a U.N.-facilitated meeting between Erhürman and Christodoulides on Oct. 27, during which the leaders discussed crossing points, the status of Varosha and the framework for potential negotiations.

Following the Oct. 27 meeting, Christodoulides said he and Erhürman had agreed to refrain from making further public statements on substantive aspects of the Cyprus dispute ahead of Holguin’s visit.

The move was intended to allow the upcoming diplomatic consultations to proceed without additional public disagreements over sensitive negotiating issues.

Greek Cypriot media reports suggested that Holguin’s visit would concentrate on confidence-building measures and outstanding differences between the two sides.

However, the reports indicated that no concrete progress had yet been achieved toward formally restarting comprehensive settlement negotiations.

The planned Nov. 9 trilateral meeting is expected to provide another opportunity to assess the prospects for further engagement and determine possible next steps in the U.N.-led diplomatic process.

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Türkiye aims to strengthen the Turkic world’s resilience against disinformation and increase its international visibility through closer media cooperation, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said Friday, as Ankara prepared to assume the rotating chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Speaking at the Turkic World Dialogue Forum, organized by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate under the theme “From Ideas to Dialogue, Forward,” Yılmaz emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in strategic communication, digital transformation and cultural integration.

“We aim to increase the Turkic world’s resilience against disinformation and its international visibility,” Yılmaz said.

The forum, attended by Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, was held alongside the 13th OTS Summit in Ankara.

Yılmaz described the Turkic world as a community united by centuries of shared history, language and cultural heritage, saying cooperation among Turkic nations had expanded significantly over the past 35 years.

He said Türkiye would use its OTS chairpersonship, taken over from Azerbaijan, to translate existing institutional cooperation into tangible benefits for regional stability, development and prosperity.

Media cooperation

Yılmaz warned that disinformation, manipulation and misleading content could undermine public trust and international relations despite the growing accessibility of information through digital platforms.

He said countries’ international influence increasingly depended not only on economic and military capabilities but also on their ability to produce reliable information and communicate their perspectives globally.

Highlighting existing OTS mechanisms, Yılmaz cited regular meetings of ministers responsible for media and information, the Media Coordination Committee and the Union of Turkic News Agencies, established in 2023.

He also pointed to an action plan adopted at the 2025 meeting of media and information ministers in Baku as a framework for expanding joint initiatives.

Yılmaz said these mechanisms would be used more effectively to counter disinformation and strengthen the international presence of Turkic nations.

Common alphabet

Yılmaz also highlighted the adoption of guidelines for using the 34-letter Common Turkic Alphabet in Astana in June, describing the initiative as an important step toward strengthening linguistic and cultural ties.

He said the common alphabet would facilitate communication among Turkic peoples and support efforts to preserve their shared cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, Duran stressed the importance of developing high-quality digital content in Turkic languages to ensure artificial intelligence systems reflect the region’s own historical and cultural perspectives.

“We must produce quality content in our own languages and from our own sources and ensure that artificial intelligence models are also fed by our data,” Duran said.

He warned that without stronger digital representation, narratives about the Turkic world could increasingly be shaped by external sources.

Duran also emphasized the region’s growing geopolitical importance, citing energy corridors stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean and Europe, alongside the Middle Corridor’s transportation infrastructure.

Speaking at a separate panel on parliamentary diplomacy, Turkish lawmaker Fuat Oktay called for stronger institutional cooperation and joint projects among Turkic countries.

Oktay said the Turkic world represented a population of approximately 250 million, an economy exceeding $2.5 trillion and foreign trade approaching $1 trillion.

He stressed that the region’s strategic geographical position, young population and economic resources offered significant opportunities for deeper integration.

Yılmaz also reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to advancing the OTS Turkic World Vision 2040, which outlines long-term cooperation in political coordination, economic connectivity, science, technology, culture and youth development.

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This month will likely be remembered as a key period in Turkish-Libyan relations. First, Libya’s House of Representatives approved a long-dormant memorandum of understanding on maritime jurisdiction and then came a critical meeting apparently kept under wraps for the reunification of Libya’s eastern and western administrations.

Overall, it appears that Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts are paying off, and doubly so: strengthening the country’s clout in the Mediterranean at a time its adversaries (including former ones such as Greece, with which Ankara hopes to mend ties) make their moves with new alliances and reinvigorating ties with North Africa, where post-Moammar Gadhafi Libya is still a key actor despite factions at odds.

On Oct. 20, Libya’s House of Representatives greenlit a maritime jurisdiction agreement with Türkiye, which has been awaiting approval since it was signed in 2019. Last Friday, media reports revealed that the eastern and western administrations in Libya sent delegates to Ankara for talks on a possible reunification. A senior Turkish official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Wednesday that talks have not produced an immediate result yet, but discussions focused on military reunification, with talks on political unity expected to follow in the future. Still, it is a beginning facilitated by Ankara, which rose to prominence in the last decade as a key power broker and mediator in its region and beyond.

Answering Daily Sabah’s questions about whether Libya’s House of Representatives’ decision cemented Türkiye’s influence in the region, Aylin Ünver Noi, professor of International Relations and vice rector of Beykoz University, said that the approval process made an important contribution.

“We are also seeing a process come to the fore that aligns with Türkiye’s interests in the region and reflects what Türkiye wants to achieve. However, there is something else worth keeping in mind. Türkiye has a policy regarding gas exploration and extraction activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and, more broadly, across the entire Mediterranean basin. It is trying to manage this process through bilateral relations, but at the same time, it has consistently maintained the same position from the very beginning. Türkiye says it is open to dialogue with all the countries that share maritime boundaries in the region,” she said.

Greece has long opposed the memorandum, fearing that Türkiye could gain greater influence in the Mediterranean. Athens views Türkiye as a historic rival, even as Ankara pursues rapprochement with Greece, and the deal could further complicate the maritime dispute between the two countries in the Aegean Sea.

Türkiye and Greece compete for rights in the vast sea. Soon after the deal was approved, Türkiye announced a navigational telex (Navtex) in the Mediterranean (a notice containing navigational and maritime safety warnings), citing work on a natural gas pipeline project between Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) until late December. Like the France-led project, the gas pipeline will be a lifeline for the TRNC, which has been isolated from the international community, which refuses to recognize its sovereignty. The pipeline will connect Türkiye’s Mersin to the TRNC’s Girne (Kyrenia), covering a distance of about 101 kilometers (63 miles), including a 4-kilometer pipeline across land.

The Türkiye-Libya deal also drew the ire of the European Union, which counts Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration among its members.

If Ankara were able to implement the agreement, Türkiye could gain access to large, undiscovered gas deposits, but the deal covers a vast area claimed by Greece.

Noi said Türkiye sought to de-escalate tensions in the Med, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan even offering a meeting in Antalya to resolve the issue, referring to the Turkish leader’s proposal to find a formula safeguarding the interests of every littoral country.

“This position has not changed. Türkiye continues to pursue it. In his latest statement, the president also said that Türkiye is not trying to do anything against anyone. Rather, it is working toward arrangements that would allow everyone to benefit and produce a win-win outcome,” she said, referring to the president’s remarks after a Cabinet meeting earlier this week.

“But that does not mean Türkiye would accept a situation in which some countries gain disproportionately while others are deprived of their rights. In other words, Türkiye wants these partnerships, but it also wants the process to be managed in a way that prevents any country from pursuing maximalist claims at the expense of others. Türkiye wants everyone to be included and no party to be excluded,” she added.

She said Türkiye in the past was excluded from forums on the Eastern Mediterranean. “It was treated as though it had no coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean and no legitimate rights or interests in the region. Today, however, we see that these agreements have set a different process in motion, with Türkiye also beginning to normalize bilateral relations with certain countries. But this does not mean that the president is pursuing this process against anyone. Rather, the message is that Türkiye is not doing this to target others, but to ensure that no one is allowed to undermine its rights,” she also stated.

Erdoğan on Monday underlined that opposition to the Libya memorandum, particularly by the European Union, had no legitimate basis. In his address after the Cabinet meeting, the president stressed Türkiye’s policy on the Eastern Mediterranean was very clear, and they had no intention “to score a goal against anyone.”

“We are only occupied with preserving our maritime jurisdiction, rights and interests. We advocate for a peaceful approach to resolve disputes, engaging in dialogue with all littoral countries. We expect all actors, the European Union in particular, to demonstrate the same constructive will,” Erdoğan said.

He noted that the aggressive discourse benefited no one. “Even if it means paying a price, we never hesitate in doing the right thing for Türkiye, for the Turkish nation. I remind those trying to exclude Türkiye from the Eastern Mediterranean to respect the joint will of Türkiye and Libya,” he added.

Reunifying Libya

Another interest for Türkiye in Libya is ensuring political stability, as Ankara stands to gain from finding a new partner in Africa where, under the leadership of Erdoğan, it has significantly enhanced relations through its “Africa opening” policy.

Since last year, dialogue between Ankara and rival groups in Libya has increased as the country reached out to Khalifa Haftar, with whom it once had tensions. Haftar’s son, Saddam Haftar, who holds a prominent military position, and Turkish officials have held frequent talks in recent months.

Noi said that since the Arab Spring, Türkiye has had to contend with a situation shaped by the consequences of those uprisings. “They gave rise to problems such as civil wars and failed states in many parts of the region. This triggered a process that undermined the stability of those countries and negatively affected their relations with other nations. Countries that are divided and governed by different groups or rival leaderships also face another disadvantage: external powers can support different factions, further destabilizing these countries and undermining peace and development. From the very beginning of the Arab Spring, Türkiye has opposed the fragmentation of countries and the emergence of failed states, whether in Syria or Libya. On the contrary, it has consistently emphasized principles such as territorial integrity and independence,” she said.

“The same applies to Libya. Bringing the two opposing sides together would strengthen Libya as a unified country. This is something Türkiye wants, both in terms of regional stability and the development of its bilateral relations. However, Türkiye’s role must not be destabilizing; on the contrary, its support has always been aimed at promoting stability,” she added.

Noi noted that Türkiye played a significant role in mediation efforts in recent years, and these efforts were institutionalized within the Foreign Ministry, which established a directorate-general for mediation.

“Türkiye has made considerable progress in this field, with successful initiatives in various parts of the world, including mediation efforts across the African continent. Therefore, Türkiye may have taken an important step in Libya by helping bring together groups that have been at odds within the country. Türkiye has already pursued a similar approach in Syria, as you know. It supports a unified Syria and wants groups pursuing separatist aims to be reintegrated into the country. Türkiye has never sought the division, fragmentation or weakening of its neighbors or other countries in the region. Instead, it has wanted them to remain unified, strong and capable of contributing to regional stability. This would be an important development both for bilateral relations and for the future and survival of the country concerned. That is what Türkiye hopes to achieve. We have already seen progress in this direction in recent days,” she said.