According to information obtained from the sources of the Ministry of National Defense, Exercise Blue Homeland-2026, directed and managed by the Turkish Naval Forces Command, was successfully carried out in the Black Sea, Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean between 3-9 April. In addition to the Naval Forces Command elements, Land and Air Forces and Coast Guard Command units participated in the exercise. 122 ships, 41 aircraft, 12 unmanned marine vehicles and more than 10 thousand personnel took part in the giant exercise. As part of the distinguished observer day activities held on the last day of the exercise, shooting tests of weapon systems developed with domestic and national resources were carried out.

Yesterday, Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu also followed the ongoing exercise off the Mediterranean coast. While Blue Homeland-2026 simultaneously tested the high level of readiness in three seas, the main focus of the exercise was the protection of rights and interests in the “Blue Homeland” and increasing the interoperability capability between forces. During the exercise, advanced operational scenarios for the integration of unmanned surface vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles were implemented. After the targets were hit with full accuracy as of April 9, the actual phase of the exercise was completed and the process of returning the units to their home bases began.

NEW WEAPONS IN INVENTORY
Ministry of Defense Spokesperson Zeki Aktürk gave information about the new weapons included in the Turkish Armed Forces inventory in his weekly briefing. For the first time, the TB 3 UAV, the system for detecting and neutralizing improvised explosive devices with electronic circuits, AKSUNGUR and AKINCI UAVs and the CATS Electrooptic Infrared Camera System inspection and acceptance activities were completed and included in the inventory.

Within the scope of the investigation carried out under the coordination of the Special Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, an investigation was launched in Üsküdar Municipality on the grounds that “there were irregularities in the building and settlement license procedures”. Kent Inc. General Manager Nazım Akkoyunlu was informed that he used the title of “vice president” in the room allocated to him between the Zoning and Urbanization Directorate and the Building Control Directorate, which are the units where building permits and settlement licenses are issued, and that he was introduced as such in official programs. Kent A.Ş. was used as a front during the building permit process, and unfair profits were obtained from contractors in return for services that were not actually provided. It was learned that Burçin Çevik, who works at the Istanbul Planning Agency (İPA), was one of the people who gave guidance within the scope of the investigation, although he did not work at Üsküdar Municipality.

COLOR CODED LICENSE SYSTEM

Kent A.Ş. to learn the instructions regarding which applications will be suspended during the building permit process. An encrypted and closed-circuit communication network was established between the Department of Planning and Urbanization. An island-parcel based coloring system was created via Excel tables. In this system; “Blue” means that an agreement has been reached, “Red” means that an agreement has not been reached, “Green” means that no negotiations have been held yet, and “Orange” means that there has been a meeting but the process has not been made official. It was claimed that the license procedures were carried out not according to the architectural project, but according to whether the requested money was paid or not.

SEPARATE MEETINGS FOR SETTLEMENT

A similar system was used in the settlement license process. In the process that is under the responsibility of the Building Control Directorate, the benefits to be requested from the contractors are determined by Kent A.Ş. It was claimed that it was determined in the meetings held under the chairmanship of General Manager Nazım Akkoyunlu, and Deputy Mayor Filiz Deveci also attended these meetings. The violations of the legislation detected during the inspections were evaluated in the meetings held in the municipality building and a separate “price” was determined for each project, and the contractors were called to the municipality accordingly and requested benefits.

SIMULTANEOUS RAID ON 30 ADDRESSES

In line with the findings obtained as a result of the technical and physical follow-up, 30 addresses in Istanbul and Yalova were raided on Tuesday morning by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department Financial Crimes Branch Directorate teams. 20 suspects were detained during the operation.
Approximately 4.5 million TL in cash, 1 cold wallet and many digital materials were seized during the searches. Later, with the arrest of one person, the number of detainees increased to 21.

HE WAS REFERRED TO THE COURTHOUSE

21 suspects, whose statements at the police station were completed, were referred to the Anatolian Courthouse.

The names detained during the operation are as follows: Üsküdar Deputy Mayor Filiz Deveci, Kent A.Ş. General Manager Nazım Akkoyunlu, Kent A.Ş. Architect Barkın Ege Tekkökoğlu, Özgür Ceylan, Building Control Field Chief Hakan Yavuz, Work Follower Ahmet İşman, Veysel Köse, Ceyhan Han, Yasin Karabaş and Burçin Çevik, who works at Istanbul Planning Agency (İPA), Contractor Engin Aras, Sinan Sarıoğlu, Kadir Karadağ, Ufuk Gündüz, Eyüp Meriç, Murat Armağan, Hakan Mansız, Erdem Alkan, Yılmaz Kozan and Mehmet Atilla Güneri are among the actors.

Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi spoke on the phone with the commissioner who was injured in the terrorist attack on the police station in Beşiktaş, Istanbul and who was receiving treatment in the hospital, and expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery. Minister Çiftçi said: “These vile attacks will never weaken the determination of our security forces.”

Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi, who was in Azerbaijan as part of his official contacts, spoke on the phone with Commissioner Burak Tolga Atik, who was injured during the terrorist attack in front of the Israeli Consulate in Beşiktaş, Istanbul and is receiving treatment in the hospital. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül and Istanbul Provincial Police Chief Selami Yıldız were present next to Atik, whose treatment continues in the hospital.

Speaking to the commissioner over the phone, Minister Çiftçi said in his statement on his social media account: “On the occasion of the visit of our Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, with whom we had official contacts, we had a video call with our heroic commissioner Burak Tolga Atik brother, who was injured in the heinous attack in Beşiktaş, Istanbul and whose treatment has been continuing for two days, and conveyed our wishes for his speedy recovery. All our police officers who were subjected to treacherous attacks in the line of duty; the peace of our nation, “They serve with great courage and sacrifice for the survival of our state and the maintenance of public order. I would like to clearly state that our state stands by our heroic police with all its resources. These vile attacks will never weaken the determination of our security forces. I wish a speedy recovery to our injured police officers and wish success to all our police officers.”

Efforts to protect cultural assets continue uninterruptedly with comprehensive restoration and conservation practices carried out in museums. These works, carried out using scientific methods and techniques appropriate to the original material, aim to both preserve the works and re-introduce them to visitors. In this context, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, drew attention to the work in his post on his social media accounts and said: “We continue our restoration and conservation work meticulously to protect our cultural assets and transfer them to the future. We continue our work on the wooden sarcophagi and textile works belonging to our Istanbul Archeology Museums with scientific methods and applications suitable for the original materials, and prepare our works for re-exhibition. All Cultural Assets and Museums that ensure that the works belonging to our different museums are preserved in their original form and carried to the future.” I would like to thank our General Directorate teams.”

WOODEN TOMBS IN MUSEUMS HAVE BEEN PUT INTO A COMPREHENSIVE RESTORATION PROCESS

The wooden sarcophagi in the collection of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums were taken into the restoration process simultaneously with the exhibition and arrangement works of the museum. In the studies carried out by the Restoration and Conservation Central Laboratory experts, the current condition of the works was documented in detail and the necessary interventions were carried out. During the conservation process, deteriorations were recorded through photography using different lighting techniques. Then, while strengthening applications compatible with the original material were carried out, filling and retouching operations were carried out in the missing sections. Following the completion of the work, the works were put into preparation to be exhibited in their new showcases.

PROTECTION IS PROVIDED FOR TEXTILE WORKS THROUGH SCIENTIFIC METHODS

Restoration work was not limited to archaeological artifacts only; Textile works belonging to museums also went through a comprehensive conservation process. The work on the carpets belonging to the Kocaeli Osman Hamdi Bey House and Museum and the banner of the Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli Museum was completed meticulously. After documentation, cleaning and surface leveling, the missing areas were completed with appropriate materials. The works were packaged in acid-free boxes in accordance with preservation standards and transported to the museums they belonged to and made ready for re-exhibition.

CULTURAL HERITAGE IS CARRIED INTO THE FUTURE

The restoration and conservation work carried out aims to preserve the original structure of cultural assets and transfer them to future generations. This process, carried out with scientific methods and meticulous work by expert teams, plays an important role in the protection of Türkiye’s cultural heritage.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz attended the signing ceremony of the 2026 Turkey-TRNC Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement with the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ünal Üstel at the Presidential Complex.

Yılmaz and Üstel, who signed the agreement, later made a joint press statement.

Yılmaz said that this agreement, signed every year, is one of the most concrete indicators of the unshakable ties and strong cooperation between Türkiye and TRNC.

Emphasizing that Türkiye continues its contractual and historical responsibility for the freedom and welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people, Yılmaz said, “As long as we act in unity of mind and heart for the development and reconstruction of the TRNC, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome, no obstacle we cannot overcome.” he said.

Yilmaz stated that they continue to implement strategic projects that aim for the sustainable growth of the TRNC and increase its welfare and said, “In this context, within the scope of the 2026 Agreement we signed today, approximately 23 billion Turkish liras of resources are allocated, including 21 billion liras of new appropriations. We allocated 48 percent of this budget to infrastructure and real sector projects, 10 percent to public finance supports and 42 percent to defense expenditures.” he said.

“WE CARRIED OUT MAJOR LEAVES IN COORDINATION WITH OUR TRNC CONTROVERSIES”

Stating that they broke a historical record by using approximately 89 percent of the 21 billion lira allocated with the last resource to be transferred in April within the scope of the 2025 Agreement, Yılmaz said, “Thanks to the projects we have implemented within this framework, we will make great strides in coordination with our TRNC counterparts towards our goal of making the TRNC a shining star in the Eastern Mediterranean with its education, health, physical and technological infrastructure, universities, R&D centers and informatics centers.” We carried it out.” he said.

Yılmaz reminded that the Presidency and Parliament buildings were opened in TRNC last year, and that the construction of the National Garden and the National Mosque has been completed, and that the Supreme Court building and the National Library will be opened in the same region soon.

Reminding that new hospitals have been commissioned in the TRNC, Yılmaz said, “In addition to the Güzelyurt State Hospital, the construction of which will be completed this month, we hope to open the opening of the Pamuklu State Hospital, whose construction is continuing rapidly, by November 15. The construction of the Nicosia New State Hospital, which we plan as a modern health center that will include all kinds of facilities, as in the city hospitals in Türkiye, is continuing rapidly. The hospital, whose tender was made just 6 months ago, is the first in rough construction.” “We have reached the first floor.” gave the information.

Reminding that the launch of the e-Government mobile application in the TRNC was carried out in August last year, Yılmaz said, “The Physician Appointment System, which is an important step in this context, was put into operation in March, and we plan to implement the Immigration Information System in 2026. In order to simplify the transactions in land registry and cadastre services in the TRNC, digitalize them, reduce bureaucracy and bring the valuation procedures to international standards, the Parcel Parcel in April 2025.” “The query application has been made available to the people of TRNC during the testing phase. The Land Registry and Cadastre Information System (TAKBİS) works are expected to be completed in June 2026, together with all its sub-projects.” he said.

Yılmaz explained that within the scope of the TRNC Highway Master Plan, a total of 822 kilometers of roads, including 213 kilometers of divided roads, 433 kilometers of single roads, and 176 kilometers of 3rd class roads, have been constructed and put into use for the safe and fast travel of the Turkish Cypriot people. Yılmaz said, “Our work on the Kyrenia Mountain road, which is an important route for the people of the island and is divided into 3 sections, some of which are renovation and the other part is expansion, continues rapidly. We plan to put it into service before the end of the year. Our work on the Dipkarpaz-Zaferburnu route, which has been on the agenda for many years, has been completed, and our work on the Sadrazamköy-Kayalar route has reached the final stage.” he said.

“IN THIS FINANCIAL COOPERATION, WE ACT WITH AN UNDERSTANDING THAT PRIORITIZES THE REAL ECONOMY”

Yılmaz stated that the facility, which is in the final stages of construction in Güzelyurt, within the scope of the Citrus Sector, Advanced Fruit Processing, Frozen and Cold Storage Capacity Development Project, will be put into service soon, and said that the promotional activities carried out with the “Island Cyprus” brand in tourism attracted attention.

Referring to the economic effects of regional tensions, Yılmaz said:

“In this context, of course, just as all economies are affected, our economy and the economy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are undoubtedly affected. We continue our efforts together to minimize these effects. On the other hand, we continue our preparations to make the best use of the new conditions that will arise in the new post-war environment. In this context, I would like to underline that the real sector is especially very important. Keeping the real economy alive in this period with its industry, tourism, agriculture, youth, women and all entrepreneur classes, maintaining our production capacity, providing more support to our people. “Producing employment is one of the most critical issues. In this context, we acted with an understanding that prioritizes the real economy in this financial cooperation.”

“IT IS CLEAR THAT GREEK CYPRIOTS ARE NOT SINCERE ABOUT THE SOLUTION”

Yılmaz stated that they have implemented 5 new interest-supported loan programs for the first time with this 2026 agreement and said, “Our aim is to increase investment and production, and to support entrepreneurship and employment, especially young people and women.” he said.

Emphasizing that TRNC’s economy, trade and industry, as well as its rising success rate, as in every field, strengthen the efforts for the Turkish Cypriot people to take their deserved place in the international community, Yılmaz said:

“However, we see that the mentality that cannot digest these facts and achievements and has been trying to intimidate the Turkish Cypriot people with inhumane embargoes for decades now appears before us in different and hostile ways. It is clear that the Greek Cypriots are not sincere about the solution. They never wanted to share the political power and prosperity on the basis of equality with the Turkish Cypriot people, who are the joint owners of the island, and they do not want to. They see the Turkish Cypriot people as a minority and try to integrate them into their so-called state. Their attitude in every meeting held, their response to every positive call given. The flashback makes this clear.

This being the case, we believe that the most realistic way to find a fair, permanent and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue is for the two states on the island to exist side by side. No one can produce any solution by closing their eyes to the realities on the island. Being two states is of course not an obstacle to cooperation. Of course, any cooperation opportunity that will benefit the entire island should be evaluated. The international community must now understand that any proposal that does not reflect the realities of the island and the will of both parties will not lead us to a fair, permanent and sustainable solution. “The way to live side by side in peace after a permanent solution on the island is through the understanding and acceptance of the legitimate and inherent rights and sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people by all parties.”

– “Otherwise, the delicate balances that exist on the Island of Cyprus will be damaged.”

Yılmaz emphasized that just as the Mujahideen and Mehmetçiks wrote an epic with an unshakable bond on the Island of Cyprus on July 20, 1974, today Türkiye is the strongest bulwark against those who try to intimidate the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people.

Cevdet Yılmaz continued his speech as follows:

“The Israel/USA-Iran war, which started recently with the provocation of Israel in our region, has become a critical node in the energy, finance and geopolitical structure of the global order. In this process, the decisions taken by the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, acting as if it were the owner of the entire island, increased the security risks to the island. We have actually seen some of the consequences of this together. The decisions taken by the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, especially by ignoring the will and sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people, and their sovereign equality, in great power rivalries. His approach to finding his own way, especially the military engagements he has undertaken on his own lately, and his search for alliances are the main factors that trigger this process.

I would like to declare once again from here; Any attitude that ignores the fact that TRNC is a sovereign and equal state on the island is null and void for the Republic of Türkiye. However, our Turkish Cypriot brothers should be comforted. No matter how armed the Greek side is, no matter how much it tries to open the island to the use of third countries, you will continue to live safely under your own flag as long as Türkiye exists. “No one should have any hesitation about this.”

In this context, 6 F-16 warplanes and Hisar Air Defense System were deployed in the TRNC on March 9, and the Turkish Navy increased its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. Yılmaz said, “We know that some countries have deployed military forces in our region during this period, citing the so-called security concerns of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, and we follow it closely. The military elements deployed in the region should not be permanent in any way. Otherwise, the delicate balances that exist on the Island of Cyprus will be damaged.” he said.

Yılmaz underlined that all his efforts are to raise the living standards of the Turkish Cypriot people and to secure the future and prosperity of the TRNC forever, and wished that the 2026 Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement signed would be beneficial.

Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Bekir Bozdağ, in his written statement, reminded the articles in the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey regarding the election of the President and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

Stating that, according to the Constitution, holding a by-election between 30 months after the election and 1 year before the election is subject to the discretion of the Parliament, Bozdağ said, “There is no provision of the Constitution or law that forces the Parliament to take a decision in this direction. Because this authority of the Parliament is not a mandatory discretionary power, it is a free discretionary power. Moreover, this authority does not belong to the Speaker of the Assembly, it is a discretionary power directly belonging to the General Assembly of the Assembly.” he said.

Pointing out that there are two exceptions regarding by-elections, Bozdağ reminded that according to the Constitution, if a province or electoral district has no members left in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, by-elections will be held on the first Sunday after ninety days following the vacancy, or if 5 percent of the total number of members of the Parliament (30 deputies) are vacated, it will be decided to hold by-elections within three months.

Pointing out that in order to apply the second exception, the resignation of the MP must be accepted by the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Bozdağ said, “A resignation that is not accepted by the Parliament does not have any legal consequences.” he said.

“THE MOST MAJORITY OF THE TURKISH PEOPLE DOES NOT HAVE SUCH AN AGENDA AND DEMAND”

Bozdağ stated that in the Constitution, “The loss of the membership of a member of parliament who resigns is decided by the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, after it is determined by the Presidency of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey that the resignation is valid.” pointed out its provisions.

Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Bozdağ, used the following statements:

“Moreover, the overwhelming majority of the Turkish people do not have such an agenda or demand. At a time when the security of our country is of utmost importance and sensitivity while the war continues in our region, occupying the country’s agenda with by-elections does not benefit our nation and our country.”