The U.S. Central Command chief on Tuesday praised the role Türkiye has played in unifying Syria as the latter grapples with numerous challenges following over a decade of civil war.

Asked about ongoing efforts to integrate the northeast with the country’s leadership in Damascus, CENTCOM chief Gen. Michael Kurilla said the talks are “actually going well right now,” but acknowledged that there are “some sticking points” remaining.

“What’s happening is you have the Syrian Kurds are talking directly to (Syrian President Ahmed) al-Sharaa, and the Syrian government right now,” Kurilla said during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee.

One of Türkiye’s main priorities in Syria, following the fall of Bashar Assad in December and the coming to power of a new Syrian government, is the elimination of the PKK’s Syrian wing, the YPG, through its integration into the new national army.

A deal was signed in March by Syria’s interim president and Ferhat Abdi Şahin, code-named “Mazloum Kobani,” the ringleader of the YPG. Damascus shunned an open conflict with the YPG and sought a deal for their integration into the new Syrian army.

The YPG currently occupies one-third of Syria’s territory, including most of the country’s oil and gas fields. Türkiye, which suffered from cross-border attacks by the YPG, supported the Syrian opposition through military offensives in Syria’s north in the past decade and liberated parts of northern Syria from the YPG’s grip.

“Türkiye has played a very positive role in that. That is a big piece for the stability, in terms of that. I think they got to figure out how to run all of the administration of their country. They have a few people that are running the country right now. I am very concerned with the stability, but I think the fact that we are at the table now, having those discussions, the upside is great. The downside is very low to being at the table,” he added.

Asked if the U.S.’ train and equip mission for Syrian partners should be modified to include government forces, Kurilla said: “I think that would have to be a wait and see.”

“I think the fact that we’re at the table right now having this discussion, and that will allow us to make an assessment of that, if that would be a wise choice.”

Türkiye has urged Syria’s interim administration to address the YPG’s control over large parts of northern Syria and is currently closely monitoring the integration of the SDF into the Syrian government. Ankara is a major supporter of the al-Sharaa-led administration and also backs the March deal.

The issue strains Turkish-U.S. ties as Ankara warns its NATO ally against aiding terror elements that threaten its national security, something Washington continues to do despite promising to remove the group from the Turkish border area.

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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.

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The decision by the PKK terrorist group to dissolve and lay down arms must be “observed in action on the ground” and not merely treated as a declaration, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said on Tuesday.

Speaking in a televised interview with TV100, Yılmaz warned that although the current process offers a significant opportunity for peace, it is vulnerable to sabotage and must proceed swiftly but cautiously.

“We need to see this decision reflected in reality. Our institutions will follow and monitor it closely,” Yılmaz said. “Giving a definitive timeline is not easy in such matters. It must happen as soon as possible.”

Türkiye has been battling the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union – for four decades. Following intensified security operations in recent years, Ankara sees the current moment as a turning point.

The initiative for a terror-free Türkiye was launched by government ally Devlet Bahçeli, head of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), who called on the PKK’s jailed leader Abdullah Öcalan to appeal to the PKK to lay down arms last year.

Soon, his call evolved into a new initiative that saw People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) lawmakers visiting Öcalan in the island prison where he is incarcerated in the Marmara Sea. As a result and in a landmark development, the PKK last month announced its dissolution and the end of its four-decade terror campaign that cost tens of thousands of lives in Türkiye, as well as in Iraq and Syria.

Yılmaz underlined that any delay or ambiguity could invite provocations from actors interested in sustaining instability. “There will always be those who want to sabotage peace,” he said. “That’s why this process must be completed in the shortest time possible.”

Israeli attack on aid ship

The vice president also condemned Israel’s recent attack on the Madleen, a humanitarian aid ship heading to Gaza, calling it “another addition to a long list of crimes.” He criticized the Netanyahu administration for pursuing what he termed a “genocidal policy” against Palestinians.

“This was an entirely illegal intervention. Israel must end its inhumane policies. A cease-fire must be reached immediately, and humanitarian aid should flow to Gaza without interruption,” Yılmaz urged.

He reiterated Türkiye’s call for a two-state solution under United Nation resolutions, stating that permanent peace in the region can only be achieved through justice and international consensus.

When asked about claims that Türkiye maintains trade ties with Israel, Yılmaz pointed to the country’s humanitarian leadership. “Let them ask the Palestinians: who has stood by them the most? Which country, which leader has done the most for them? The answer will be clear,” he said.

New constitution

Shifting to domestic politics, Yılmaz stressed the urgent need for a new, civilian constitution to replace the current charter, which was drafted following the 1980 military coup. He called it a “shame of the coup era” and emphasized that it no longer reflects the democratic aspirations of modern Türkiye.

“This is not just an issue for one party but for all political actors. Türkiye deserves a libertarian and civilian constitution in its second century,” he said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has established an 11-member commission within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to begin drafting proposals. Yılmaz emphasized that this process should incorporate perspectives from all parties and civil society, stating: “This should be a product of collective wisdom and conscience.”

He also pushed back against opposition attempts to politicize the process, saying, “Those who try to derail this with excuses are doing a disservice to Türkiye. We must not let narrow political debates sabotage constitutional reform.”

Erdoğan’s government has been pushing to overhaul Türkiye’s Constitution for over a decade now, which was enforced in 1982 following a military coup that led to the detention of hundreds of thousands of people along with mass trials, torture and executions, which still represents a dark period in Turkish political history.

He said the new constitution would promote high-standard democracy, guarantee freedoms and the rule of law.

CHP corruption probes

Asked about the recent corruption investigations into municipalities led by the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), including İstanbul and Adana, Yılmaz emphasized that the operations are legal in nature and not politically motivated.

“This is a corruption probe, plain and simple. The judiciary will decide the outcome, and we will all see it together,” he said. “No one in this country has the freedom to commit crimes. Your title or political position does not grant you immunity.”

The investigations began with charges involving Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and later expanded to CHP-led districts. The opposition has claimed that these probes are politically driven, particularly after İmamoğlu’s increasing national profile and perceived presidential ambitions.

Yılmaz dismissed those claims, noting that İmamoğlu began positioning himself as a presidential candidate even though elections are not scheduled until 2028.

“Why did he begin a nationwide campaign without an election on the horizon? Was it to claim persecution in case of legal scrutiny?” Yılmaz asked. “That’s the question we should be asking. Whether he is guilty or innocent is up to the judiciary – not the political arena.”

He reminded critics that while judicial rulings can be criticized, no one has the right to “threaten or delegitimize” the judiciary. “There is no freedom to insult the courts,” he said firmly.

Responding to ongoing legal disputes within the CHP over its recent leadership congress, Yılmaz framed the issue as an internal party matter that must be resolved through legal and institutional channels.

“This is an issue within the CHP,” he said. “Ultimately, the courts will decide what’s legal and what isn’t. That is their job.”

While CHP leader Özgür Özel has portrayed the internal debate as a threat to the party’s stability, Yılmaz dismissed such alarmism. “This is not the end of the world. The current leadership will remain, or a temporary administration will be formed. This is not an existential crisis,” he said.

But he cautioned the opposition against amplifying its internal strife in the public sphere. “CHP must not allow its internal struggles to spill over into society. It only creates further polarization,” Yılmaz warned.

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Following the suspension of Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe amid a corruption probe, the municipal council has elected the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) Eray Karadeniz as acting mayor in a decisive third-round vote.

The council convened under the leadership of First Deputy Chair Erdoğan Yıldırım Özçelik after Bahçetepe, detained as part of an investigation into the Aziz Ihsan Aktaş criminal network, was formally removed from office by the Interior Ministry. The AK Party nominated Karadeniz, the party’s current group deputy chair on the council, while the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) put forward Murat Topaloğlu as its candidate.

Neither candidate secured an absolute majority in the first two rounds. In the third and final round, Karadeniz was elected with 21 votes, defeating Topaloğlu, who received 16. Following the result, CHP council members left the hall in protest, chanting slogans and striking desks.

In his first remarks as acting mayor, Karadeniz emphasized his deep ties to the district: “Serving Gaziosmanpaşa, whose 16 neighborhoods I know intimately, is a profound responsibility and an immense honor,” he said. He pledged to fulfill his role with dedication, stating, “No one should doubt that I will live up to this responsibility in line with our belief that ‘those who serve earn honor.’”

Karadeniz also extended his condolences to the family of Manisa Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek, who died recently after a tragic electrical accident at his home.

The council meeting drew high-level observers, including AK Party Istanbul Provincial Chair Abdullah Özdemir and CHP Istanbul Chair Özgür Çelik. Security forces were deployed around the municipal building throughout the session.

Moreover, elections took place for the Avcılar and Büyükçekmece districts.

Born in Istanbul in 1986, Karadeniz holds degrees from Istanbul Commerce University’s Faculty of Law and Anadolu University’s Business Administration Department. He has held numerous leadership roles within AK Party’s youth branches, including as head of Gaziosmanpaşa’s youth wing between 2009 and 2018.

He also served as a political adviser in the 2019 local elections and was program director at the Gaziosmanpaşa Election Coordination Center in the 2023 general elections. In addition, he led several EU-funded youth initiatives.

Karadeniz now assumes interim leadership in a district at the center of one of Istanbul’s most high-profile corruption investigations.

In the first wave of 2025 operations against municipalities, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu and 105 others were detained on March 19 and remain incarcerated in pretrial detention. The CHP has nominated Imamoğlu as its candidate in presidential elections due in 2028, but whether he can run depends on the fate of numerous trials and probes.

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Türkiye on Tuesday hit back at allegations that a Liberian-flagged container ship that docked at its southern Mersin Port, was carrying steel for Israel’s military industry.

“The loading manifest and customs records of the ship that arrived from Spain, docked at Mersin Port at 2 pm (1100 GMT) on June 9, 2025, and the unloading procedures of which began at 3:25 pm (1225 GMT), have been meticulously examined.

“No steel or military-purpose items registered under the name of Israel Military Industries (IMI) or any similar institution were detected on the ship,” Türkiye’s Center for Combating Disinformation said on X.

A total of 461 containers were unloaded at Mersin Port from the ship, the center said, adding it was reported that 220 of these containers were empty, while 241 were loaded.

It has been confirmed that the loaded containers do not contain any steel or materials that could be used for military purposes, it added.

Besides, it was determined that 1,570 of the containers on board were transit cargo destined for other countries, while 33 loaded containers-whose inspections had been completed-originated from Türkiye and were bound for Palestine, primarily containing food supplies, the center noted.

Turkish ports handle tens of thousands of international cargo ships each year, processing about 8 million containers in full compliance with international rules and with complete transparency, the center said, adding: “Türkiye completely suspended all trade relations with Israel as of May 2, 2024.

“Since that date, Türkiye’s customs system has been closed to all foreign trade transactions involving Israel. No commercial activity linked to Israel is permitted in free zones or ports.”

Türkiye is among the first countries to take the clearest and most principled stance against Israel’s unlawful attacks in Gaza,” it highlighted.

The center also called for not giving credence to “the unfounded allegations.”

On May 2, 2024, Türkiye suspended all export and import operations with Israel due to its “aggression against Palestine in violation of international law and human rights,” according to the Trade Ministry.

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Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç has disclosed the findings of an expert report on the tragic death of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek, who was electrocuted at his residence. The report, prepared by a panel of electrical and mechanical engineers, reveals serious safety lapses that led to the incident.

In a statement on social media, Tunç confirmed that the Manisa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is conducting a thorough investigation into the fatal accident. He said that one deputy chief prosecutor and two prosecutors have been assigned to the case, 12 individuals have been questioned and two remain in custody.

“The report prepared by the team of electrical and mechanical engineers revealed that the pool pump motor was faulty; the building lacked a residual-current device (RCD) at its main entrance; all metal equipment showed signs of corrosion; there was moisture and water at cable connections; and the RCD in the pool’s power room was itself corroded and malfunctioning. Additionally, the distance between the pool energy room and the pool did not meet international safety standards.”

The incident has sparked concerns over residential safety standards and oversight, particularly in facilities with electrical installations near water sources.

He added that the investigation is being carried out comprehensively based on these technical findings.

Tunç extended his condolences to Zeyrek’s family and loved ones, saying, “May Allah have mercy on him.”

Zeyrek’s funeral was held in Manisa on Tuesday with a broad participation of the political circle.

Zeyrek, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), had earned wide support from Manisa residents in the March 31 local elections, in which he became the first CHP mayor of the city in decades.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a message of condolence following the news of Zeyrek’s death. In a post on social media, Erdoğan said: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mr. Ferdi Zeyrek as a result of a tragic accident. I extend my condolences to his family, colleagues, the citizens of Manisa and the entire CHP organization.”

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