Politics
Far-right leader Bahçeli calls several Kurdish politicians, including Demirtaş
Duvar English
Far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has called several Kurdish politicians in recent days following Abdullah Öcalan’s call on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disarm and dissolve itself.
Jailed PKK leader Öcalan on Feb. 27 called on the PKK to disarm and dissolve itself, saying they must seek democratic consensus as “separate nation-state, federation, administrative autonomy or culturalist solutions fails to answer the historical sociology of the society” currently.
In response, the PKK on March 1 declared a ceasefire against Turkey.
After Öcalan’s call, Bahçeli called ousted Mardin co-Mayor Ahmet Türk, pro-Kurdish DEM Party co-chair Tuncer Bakırhan, DEM Party MPs Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder, jailed former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş on phone.
Accordingly, Bahçeli thanked Demirtaş for his column on Duvar while the latter was allowed to visit his wife who underwent a surgery, Yıldıray Oğur reported in his column.
“We hope everything will go well, I am very happy about (the move),” Bahçeli told Ahmet Türk according to reporting by İsmail Saymaz of Halk TV.
Meanwhile, Öcalan said during the DEM Party delegation’s visit that “If Mr. Bahçeli transformed, everyone can transform,” Pervin Buldan noted.
What happened?
Devlet Bahçeli in October 2024 started the new process after his unexpected call suggesting that Öcalan announce an end to the insurgency in exchange for the possibility of his release.
He has been known for his stance against the DEM Party and Kurdish politicians despite meeting with them after the DEM Party delegation began to visit Öcalan in prison.
Government figures, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, started making seemingly reconciliation efforts regarding the Kurdish issue.
In one of the surprising moves, Bahçeli, who previously called for the closure of the DEM Party on several occasions, invited Öcalan to announce the dissolution of the PKK at the Parliament.
In the latest move of the process, Öcalan called on the PKK to disarm and dissolve itself following three visits of the DEM Party politicians to the İmralı Island.
Öcalan was arrested in 1999 and is serving a life sentence in a prison on İmralı Island alongside other five PKK convicts.
Foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a joint statement on the situation in Gaza and Israel’s actions. The ministers met Monday on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
In their statement, the ministers expressed “deep concern over the continued humanitarian suffering in Gaza” and called on Israel to “immediately fulfill its outstanding commitments under the First Phase of the Comprehensive Plan, including by ensuring the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance and Early Recovery supplies, and facilitating the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure.”
“They stress the imperative of preserving the ceasefire and ending all violations,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday.
“The Ministers stress that the Road Map constitutes an integral part of the Comprehensive Plan and provides the implementation framework for advancing its Second Phase, including decommissioning alongside full Israeli withdrawal, the deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), the assumption by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) of its responsibilities throughout the Gaza Strip, and the launch of Early Recovery and Reconstruction across Gaza. They call on all parties to fulfill their respective commitments in good faith and without delay,” the statement also said.
The top diplomats also condemned the expulsion or forced displacement of Palestinians from their homeland “or attempts to alter the territorial or demographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
“They deplore in this context the illegal measures aimed at consolidating Israeli control and annexation, including the accelerating settlement expansion, land confiscation, demolition of Palestinian homes, settler violence and terrorism, and forced displacement, and called for their immediate reversal. They express grave concern over measures undermining the historical and legal status quo of the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem,” the statement said.
The ministers, meanwhile, welcomed efforts by the United Kingdom and European efforts in response to illegal Israeli settlement activity, “including measures to halt trade with illegal Israeli settlements,” and called for further effective measures to end settlement expansion and ensure accountability for settler violence.
“Gaza must remain an integral part of the Palestinian territory,” the statement said, reaffirming that the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan must contribute to the reunification of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and to a credible and irreversible pathway toward the exercise of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the realization of a sovereign, viable and independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, through the implementation of the two-state solution.
Additionally, the ministers commended U.S. President Donald Trump and hailed the “indispensable role” of his country “in ensuring the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.” They also called for “sustained and active U.S. engagement to ensure that all parties, including Israel, fulfill their commitments and obligations and to overcome obstacles to the implementation of the Road Map.”
“The tangible progress on the ground will strengthen the credibility of the Board of Peace and the authority of the plan and create deeply needed momentum,” the statement said.
The statement also reaffirmed the countries’ “readiness to continue working collectively with the United States, the Board of Peace, the Palestinian Authority and all relevant parties to advance the full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and its Road Map, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, fulfill their right to self-determination and independent statehood, and achieve just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s messages on global peace and justice were displayed on giant screens in New York’s Times Square as Türkiye stepped up its international outreach during the U.N. General Assembly week and preparations for the COP31 climate summit.
The displays, coordinated by Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications, featured messages highlighting Ankara’s calls for reform of global governance, alongside promotional material showcasing Türkiye’s climate agenda, cultural heritage and Istanbul.
Among the messages shown on screens and mobile LED trucks were Erdoğan’s long-standing phrase, “The world is bigger than five,” referring to the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, and his call for global governance to represent “all humanity, all religions, all races and all cultures.”
“No one can feel safe in a world where children are dying under bombs,” another message read.
The campaign also highlighted Türkiye’s preparations to host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP31, in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya from Nov. 9-20.
COP31 President and Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum, who is holding a series of meetings in New York, said Türkiye wants the summit to focus on translating existing climate commitments into measurable results.
“We are preparing for Antalya with the vision of an ‘implementation COP,’” Kurum said, arguing that the priority should shift from announcing additional pledges toward overcoming obstacles to financing, capacity and technology deployment.
Kurum noted the COP31 Action Agenda is structured around 10 priority themes, six global targets, 11 initiatives and 13 supporting outcomes. Consultations on the agenda are expected to continue at the Pre-COP meeting in Fiji. Türkiye says its presidency will emphasize dialogue, consensus and implementation as it seeks to accelerate international climate action.
The New York campaign also promoted Türkiye and Istanbul as cultural and tourism destinations. Messages displayed in Times Square included, “Where civilizations meet, and history breathes: Istanbul,” and “New York never sleeps, Istanbul never stops inspiring.”
Türkiye has expanded its COP31 visibility across New York during the U.N. General Assembly, including promotional displays at the Turkish House (Türkevi) opposite U.N. headquarters and COP31-themed vehicles circulating through Manhattan.
Erdoğan is also scheduled to attend a high-level climate meeting organized by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday to discuss Türkiye’s preparations for the Antalya summit.
Israel’s defense establishment has recommended expanding the country’s submarine fleet to eight vessels as it closely monitors Türkiye’s growing naval capabilities, Israeli media reported Tuesday.
According to Israel’s Army Radio, defense officials submitted a professional assessment to the political leadership recommending an increase from five operational submarines to eight in the coming years, citing the expansion of the Turkish navy.
Türkiye currently operates 14 submarines, with its fleet expected to grow further in the coming years, according to the report. Israel currently operates five, while its sixth, the German-built INS Drakon, is on its way to the country after leaving the TKMS shipyard in Kiel earlier this month.
Under Israel’s latest submarine procurement agreement with Germany, it has an option to acquire a seventh vessel at the previously agreed price. Defense officials reportedly favor exercising the option before costs increase and later moving to procure an eighth submarine.
The recommendation has not yet undergone a full review at the level of the Israeli military’s General Staff, the report said.
Senior defense officials also said a decision on additional purchases is unlikely before Israel’s upcoming elections and would probably be left to the next government.
Meanwhile, Türkiye most recently showcased 37 naval assets and platforms from different classes, including vessels currently serving in the Turkish Navy during the Teknofest Blue Homeland.
Among the most prominent platforms on display were Türkiye’s largest military ship, the TCG Anadolu; the TCG Istanbul; TCG Barbaros; TCG Salihreis; TCG Turgutreis; TCG Kemalreis; TCG Oruçreis; TCG Burgazada; and the TCG Derya.
Other naval assets included minehunters, patrol vessels, amphibious ships and support platforms, offering visitors a broad view of the Turkish Navy’s operational structure.
One of the most closely watched exhibits was the first test block of Türkiye’s National Submarine, known as MILDEN, which represents a major step in the country’s effort to develop an indigenous submarine.
The submarine is planned to be more than 80 meters long, with a displacement of about 2,700 tons and an endurance of more than 50 days.
MILDEN is expected to undertake missions including anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance and surveillance, mine-laying, special operations and support for task groups.
U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack highlighted Ankara’s strategic importance to Washington and played down lingering tensions over the S-400 issue, saying bilateral ties remain strong as Congress continues to weigh the sanctions process.
Barrack told broadcaster CNN Türk that Türkiye remains a crucial partner for U.S. President Donald Trump and stressed the importance of maintaining close communication between the two NATO allies.
“The congressional process regarding CAATSA is ongoing,” Barrack said, noting that the defense and weapons landscape has changed considerably in recent years.
He acknowledged that operating Russian defense systems alongside U.S. systems remains incompatible and said Congress needs to determine how to address the dispute surrounding Türkiye’s S-400 air defense system.
Barrack, however, described the issue as manageable and said it should not overshadow broader ties between Ankara and Washington.
“There is no interference in our relationship,” he said, while also pointing to the strength of Türkiye’s domestic defense industry.
Barrack also highlighted the relationship between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Trump, saying the two leaders have strong chemistry.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held separate talks with the leaders of Vietnam, Libya and Kuwait in New York on Monday, expanding Türkiye’s diplomatic outreach as world leaders gathered for the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly.
Erdoğan received Vietnamese President To Lam, Libyan Presidential Council Chairperson Mohammed al-Menfi and Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah at the Turkish House, or Türkevi, across from U.N. headquarters.
In his meeting with Lam, Erdoğan discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, according to Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications.
Erdoğan welcomed Vietnam’s positive response to Ankara’s proposal to elevate bilateral ties to a “strategic partnership” and said Türkiye was working to expand cooperation in several fields, particularly investment, trade and the defense industry.
He also stressed the importance of continued coordination between Türkiye and Vietnam at international forums and called for greater cooperation on global issues.
Erdoğan congratulated Lam on his election as president and invited him to attend the leaders’ summit of the COP31 U.N. climate conference, which Türkiye is scheduled to host in Antalya in November.
Türkiye and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1978 and have steadily expanded political and economic cooperation, with Ankara seeking deeper engagement with the Southeast Asian country in trade, investment, defense, transportation and other sectors.
Erdoğan later received Menfi for closed-door talks at the Turkish House. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Trade Minister Ömer Bolat also attended the meeting.
Türkiye maintains close political, economic and security ties with Libya and has repeatedly emphasized its support for the North African country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political unity.
Ankara and Tripoli signed security cooperation and maritime boundary agreements in 2019, which have become key elements of bilateral relations. Türkiye has also expanded engagement with different parts of Libya while supporting efforts toward political reconciliation and lasting stability.
Erdoğan separately hosted Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah for closed-door talks at the Turkish House.
Türkiye and Kuwait maintain multifaceted relations rooted in longstanding historical and cultural ties. Bilateral cooperation has gained momentum in recent years through high-level visits and agreements spanning trade, investment, defense and other sectors.
The series of meetings came as Erdoğan continued a packed diplomatic schedule in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. gathering.
In a message on the International Day of Peace, the head of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate underlined that Türkiye will continue to stand with those facing injustice and oppression around the world and use every diplomatic means available to work toward a fairer world.
Burhanettin Duran said the occasion serves as a reminder, above all, of the situation in Gaza. “At a time when the most fundamental human values are being severely tested in Gaza, humanity’s shared responsibility in the face of the suffering endured by children, women and innocent civilians is to stand on the side of justice, conscience and peace,” Duran said. He stressed that hearing the voices of the oppressed, placing human life above all other considerations, and defending justice for everyone are indispensable to building a more livable world.
“Under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye will continue to stand with those subjected to injustice and oppression wherever they may be in the world, make full use of the opportunities offered by diplomacy, and work for a fairer world,” he said.
“Our hope is for a world where the guns fall silent, law and conscience prevail, and no child is forced to grow up in the shadow of war, oppression or genocide,” Duran added.
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