Politics
Erdoğan lambasts Israel’s invasion of region amid Syria tensions
Answering journalists’ questions as he was returning from an official visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Sunday, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hit out at Israel over the latest developments in Syria’s Suwayda.
In remarks published on Monday, Erdoğan expressed concerns over clashes between local groups in Syria’s Suwayda that have claimed hundreds of lives since last week. “But the bigger strategic problem in the region is Israel’s attempt to invade the region,” Erdoğan said as he lambasted Israeli attacks in Syria under the pretext of assisting the Druze community. He said the Druze factions, as well as others, managed to come together to discuss the truce, but Israel did not favor a united, integrated Syria and continued its provocations.
Regarding the Suwayda clashes and their aftermath, Erdoğan stated that Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa exhibited a strong stance during the developments and made no concessions. “Israel strives to set the entire region on fire, but Syria’s stance cautiously reined in this process. Syria now controls (flash point areas) with 2,5000 soldiers. They are under control. Syria’s south is under control,” Erdoğan said.
Türkiye mobilized after clashes broke out in Suwayda recently and sought to defuse tensions while expressing support for Damascus. A cease-fire took hold on Sunday as Interior Ministry security forces deployed on the outskirts of Suwayda. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said Sunday the truce would allow for the release of hostages and detainees held by the warring sides.
“People of Syria will not fall for such traps, as they learned lessons from their past suffering. Reconciliation is maintained between Druzes and others. al-Sharaa took positive steps,” Erdoğan said.
Regarding a recent phone call with al-Sharaa, Erdoğan said: “We pledged support to them. Our Foreign ministry, the U.S. envoy in Syria, and the U.S. secretary of state are in constant touch regarding Syria. Our intelligence director and defense minister are also holding talks with their counterparts. There have been talks in Amman for the past two days,” he said.
Erdoğan said two branches of the Druze community were unanimous on their stance on the issue, but another branch “acted in unison with Israel and did not compromise.”
“Suwayda is surrounded, and police and troops are on the outskirts of the city. At least, they barred more forces from entering there. All sides except one faction volunteered to maintain a cease-fire. As a matter of fact, there is a constructive atmosphere, Erdoğan said.
The president underlined the necessity of telling the world Israel’s project to destabilize the region. “We are doing this right now. The U.S. is aware that it should act on this matter,” he said.
Erdoğan also spoke about the divided island of Cyprus and reiterated Ankara’s commitment to support Turkish Cypriots. “Türkiye will not be in any process that does not guarantee sovereign equality for Turkish Cypriots,” he said.
“Greek Cypriots don’t want a solution on Cyprus; they want Turkish Cypriots as their pariahs,” he added.
The president stated that he reiterated Türkiye’s support for the TRNC during his visit, particularly concerning the Turkish Cypriot vision of a two-state solution in divided Cyprus.
“We will continue our support to Turkish Cypriot brothers in every field,” he said.
He also answered a question about reports that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides would invite him to southern Cyprus once the latter’s administration took over the rotating presidency of the EU.
“It is out of question for me to visit the south. They don’t recognize the TRNC as a state, so we don’t recognize them as a state,” he said.
Erdoğan stated that the Greek Cypriot side had repeatedly demonstrated that it was not in favor of a solution to the Cyprus question. “Key to the solution is two states, and this cannot be negotiated. Our policy is clear on that matter,” he said.
TRNC President Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides met in New York at U.N. headquarters for informal talks on the future of the divided island. They were accompanied by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and representatives of the guarantor powers, Türkiye, Greece and the United Kingdom. The talks, held for the second time this year, did not yield any concrete results, but the two sides agreed on confidence-building measures. Greek Cypriots advocate for the reunification of the island with a bi-communal administrative system, while the TRNC insists on a two-state solution where it will be recognized as a sovereign state.
The president also commented on the terror-free Türkiye initiative to end years of PKK terrorism and said they were cautious against any sabotage attempts to undermine the process.
“We are taking steps to complete our goal of a terror-free Türkiye. We are extremely cautious so that the process would not be affected by provocations,” he said.
“The disarmament has begun, and our colleagues monitor the process. Setting up a parliamentary committee is also in its final stage. Soon, you will see more developments on the issue in Parliament. We are determined to build a terror-free future. We are well aware of what we will do and how we will achieve our goals. Developments in our region show how accurate our steps are,” Erdoğan said.
He noted that PKK ringleader Abdullah Öcalan fully endorsed the process, but the stance of the YPG, the Syrian wing of the PKK, was subject to change.
“It is important to consider how (disarmament) will be reflected in the YPG,” he said. The president said interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s persistence on the integration of the YPG into the Syrian army thwarted the terrorist group’s agenda.
“We will not abandon al-Sharaa. We don’t want Syria to be fragmented,” he said. The YPG controls portions of northeastern Syria through a self-styled autonomous region. The terrorist group recently called for a decentralized Syria in its bid to retain its so-called autonomy, but Damascus flatly rejected it. Erdoğan said the recovery of Syria would be positive for Türkiye.
“Syrians in our country have voluntarily returned (after the fall of the Assad regime). We will continue supporting returns. With more returns, Syria will regain a sense of normalcy, and we will have a more stable southern border,” he said.
On the question of whether a terror-free Türkiye would help Türkiye’s membership bid for the EU, Erdoğan said the EU should not wait “for another day” to revive membership negotiations. The EU has designated the PKK as a terrorist group but largely tolerated supporters of the PKK while criticizing Türkiye’s counterterrorism efforts, claiming human rights violations.
“We tell all our counterparts in the EU that we preserve our full membership goal. Once the bloc adopts a new strategy and vision for this matter, there will be no obstacles. Political barriers against Türkiye should be immediately lifted,” Erdoğan said.
The president called upon EU countries to maintain relations fairly and equitably. “We expect them to understand that relations cannot be enhanced with a hesitant stand. Considering what’s happening near Europe and differences of opinion within the bloc, it is obvious that the EU needs a solution-oriented, dynamic member like Türkiye,” he said, referring to the Russia-Ukraine conflict that prompted the EU to bolster its defenses.
The EU has recently approved future mechanisms for defense cooperation with non-EU countries, including Türkiye, which maintains good relations with both Ukraine and Russia.
“Türkiye is the last exit for Europe. The world is changing. Europe has already changed. EU can propel itself into the future, into this new era by shedding its old political mindset,” he said.
On the situation in Gaza and the likelihood of a new cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, Erdoğan said the people of Gaza have not surrendered and would not surrender. “Israel, on the other hand, is attacking everywhere like a rabid beast, and Allah willing, it will fall victim to its own aggression,” Erdoğan said.
The president reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to the Palestinian cause and said they would persist in standing with Gaza. “Hamas and Israel have yet to reach full agreement on how humanitarian aid – particularly food – will be distributed. If a 60-day cease-fire is secured and hostages are released, Hamas wants Israel to commit to extending the cease-fire. Israel is resisting this demand. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar, with our support, are trying to find a middle ground. The concern is to avoid a situation where hostages are released, a 60-day cease-fire is achieved, but then everything reverts to the current state once that period ends. If there is no binding mechanism or guarantee of a lasting cease-fire, Hamas will see this only as a choice between dying today or in 60 days. That is why a serious negotiation process is ongoing at this point,” Erdoğan said.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate phone calls Tuesday with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, diplomatic sources said.
Fidan and his Qatari counterpart discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the sources.
In a separate call with al-Shaibani, Fidan discussed the latest developments in the region.
The calls came amid heightened attention on regional developments and the situation surrounding the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Fidan met with his Qatari counterpart, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on July 19, a few days after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to the country to extend condolences for the late emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Türkiye and Qatar have steadily deepened their strategic partnership since establishing it in 2014 through high-level exchanges and bilateral agreements spanning a wide range of fields.
On the other hand, Fidan hosted his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, in Ankara on July 6 as the two neighboring countries continue to deepen relations following the collapse of the Baathist regime in 2024.
Regarding the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, Syria’s top diplomat stressed that the fighting in the region should come to an end as soon as possible. He noted that the regional tensions were also affecting Syria and said Damascus condemned Iran’s attacks against the Gulf countries.
Civil society groups supporting Palestinians will hold simultaneous events in more than 17 countries on Wednesday to call for greater humanitarian access to Gaza as the world marks World Humanitarian Day.
The global initiative, called the “Voice of Humanity,” will take place across five continents on Aug. 19, according to Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, head of the Palestine Support Platform, one of the organizations participating in the campaign.
Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul, Kabaktepe called on the public to support the initiative, saying access to food, medicine, shelter and healthcare should be regarded as a fundamental right rather than a concession.
“We are talking about a right, not a favor,” Kabaktepe noted, arguing that restrictions on humanitarian assistance have left civilians in Gaza struggling to obtain essential supplies.
Kabaktepe said tens of thousands of civilians have been killed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and that children, women, patients and other vulnerable people continue to face difficulties accessing food and medical supplies.
He also accused Israel of failing to comply with provisions on humanitarian assistance under a cease-fire agreement, saying the arrangement envisaged the entry of at least 600 aid trucks into Gaza each day.
Kabaktepe called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor and urged international organizations and institutions to work to ensure the delivery of aid into the Palestinian enclave.
As part of Wednesday’s campaign, supporters in Istanbul are expected to gather at Üsküdar Square at 6:30 p.m. local time.
Organizers will call for humanitarian assistance to be kept separate from political negotiations and for restrictions on aid deliveries to Gaza to be lifted.
“Humanitarian aid cannot be a matter of negotiation,” Kabaktepe underlined.
He urged international organizations and governments to increase efforts to secure humanitarian access to Gaza.
World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on Aug. 19 to recognize humanitarian workers and people affected by crises around the world.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and preserve the cease-fire in a phone call Monday, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
The two ministers reviewed the latest developments in ongoing negotiations concerning the reopening of the strategic waterway and the continuation of the cease-fire, according to the sources.
The two top diplomats spoke amid ongoing tensions in the region, with suspected Iranian drones targeting Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s office in Irbil on Monday.
Meanwhile, Fidan also held separate phone calls with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday, Foreign Ministry sources said. The talks focused on the latest developments in the region, the sources added.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham during a phone call Monday, as the two leaders pledged to deepen the strategic partnership between Türkiye and the United Kingdom, particularly in defense, security, trade and investment.
Erdoğan and Burnham discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, according to a statement on the call.
Erdoğan congratulated Burnham on assuming his new post and expressed confidence that relations between Ankara and London would reach new heights in the coming period.
The president highlighted the significant progress Türkiye and the U.K. have made in cooperation across a broad range of areas, particularly in the defense industry.
He also underscored the importance of the Strategic Partnership Framework Document and the Security and Defense Partnership Document signed by the two countries, describing them as key instruments for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Erdoğan said Ankara and London would continue working together to increase bilateral trade volume and achieve their shared objectives in investment, while building on the growing strategic partnership between the two NATO allies.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed Türkiye-U.S. ties and pressing regional and global developments in a phone call, with the Turkish leader stressing the need to maximize diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Erdoğan told Trump that Türkiye hoped negotiations between Iran and the United States would continue, emphasizing that Ankara would maintain its support for efforts aimed at securing peace, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Directorate.
The president also highlighted the joint defense agreement signed by Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, saying the pact demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring regional stability and security.
Turning to Gaza, Erdoğan warned that Israeli actions targeting Palestinians had intensified at a time when efforts were focused on advancing to the second phase of the Gaza peace process.
He reiterated that Türkiye would continue supporting steps toward lasting peace in the region as well as efforts to rebuild the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
Since the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, constitutional design has served as the backbone of the country’s legal system. The current Constitution, adopted in 1982, has been repeatedly amended over the decades – most notably in 2017, when a national referendum paved the way for the country’s transition from a parliamentary model to an executive presidential system.
Navigating the 175-article charter can be complex for international observers. Here is a clear guide to the foundational provisions, historical turning points and ongoing reform efforts shaping Türkiye’s legal framework today.
The Irrevocable Principles (Articles 1–4)
The opening section of the Constitution defines the permanent identity of the state. Under Article 4, the first three articles cannot be amended, nor can an amendment to them be proposed.
Article 1: Defines Türkiye as a republic.
Article 2: Establishes the country as a democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law, respecting human rights and loyal to Atatürk nationalism.
Article 3: Affirms the indivisible integrity of the state with its territory and nation. It designates Turkish as the official language, Ankara as the capital, and establishes the national flag and anthem.
Article 4: Protects the provisions of Articles 1, 2 and 3 from amendment and prohibits proposals to amend them.
State Sovereignty and Separation of Powers (Articles 6–9)
The Constitution establishes how state authority is exercised and divided among the branches of government.
Article 6: Declares that sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation and may be exercised only through the authorized organs established by the Constitution.
Article 7: Vests legislative power in the Turkish Parliament (TBMM), which exercises this authority on behalf of the nation.
Article 8: Assigns executive power and responsibility to the president, who exercises it in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Article 9: States that judicial power is exercised by independent and impartial courts on behalf of the Turkish nation.
Supremacy of the Constitution (Article 11)
Article 11 establishes the Constitution as the highest binding legal authority in Türkiye.
Article 11: States that the provisions of the Constitution are fundamental legal rules binding upon the legislative, executive and judicial organs, administrative authorities, and other institutions and individuals. Laws cannot be contrary to the Constitution.
Fundamental Rights and Protections (Articles 10, 12 & 13)
The Constitution establishes the principle of equality before the law and defines both the nature of fundamental rights and the conditions under which they may be restricted.
Article 10: Guarantees equality before the law without discrimination, including on grounds of language, race, color, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion or sect. It also requires the state to ensure that equality between men and women exists in practice.
Articles 12 & 13: Establish that everyone possesses inherent, inviolable and inalienable fundamental rights and freedoms, while recognizing that these rights also carry duties and responsibilities toward society, family and others. Article 13 provides that fundamental rights and freedoms may be restricted only by law, without infringing upon their essence and only on grounds specified in the relevant constitutional provisions. Any restriction must comply with the Constitution, the requirements of a democratic society and the secular republic, as well as the principle of proportionality.
Citizenship and International Law (Articles 66 & 90)
Two provisions frequently cited in legal and political debates concern citizenship and Türkiye’s international obligations.
Article 66: Defines Turkish citizenship, stating that everyone bound to the Turkish state through the bond of citizenship is a Turk.
Article 90: Provides that international agreements duly put into effect have the force of law. In cases of conflict between domestic legislation and international agreements concerning fundamental rights and freedoms, the provisions of the international agreement prevail.
The Executive Branch (Articles 101, 104 & 116)
Following the 2017 constitutional amendments, executive authority was vested in the presidency and the office of prime minister was abolished.
Article 101: Specifies that the president is directly elected for a five-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms. Presidential candidates may be nominated by political party groups, political parties that individually or jointly received at least 5% of valid votes in the previous parliamentary election, or at least 100,000 eligible voters.
Article 104: Outlines presidential duties and powers. As head of state, the president exercises executive authority, appoints vice presidents and ministers, may issue presidential decrees within constitutional limits, ratifies and promulgates international treaties, determines national security policies and takes necessary measures to safeguard national security. The president also ensures the implementation of the Constitution and the regular and harmonious functioning of state organs.
Article 116: Addresses the renewal of presidential and parliamentary elections. Parliament may decide to renew elections with a three-fifths majority of its total membership, while the president may also decide to renew elections. In either case, presidential and parliamentary elections are held together. If Parliament decides to renew elections during a president’s second term, the incumbent may run for president once more.
Parliament and Legislation (Articles 75, 77, 87 & 98)
Legislative authority rests with the unicameral Turkish Parliament.
Article 75: Sets parliamentary composition at 600 members.
Article 77: Provides that parliamentary and presidential elections are held every five years on the same day.
Article 87: Entrusts Parliament with enacting, amending and repealing laws, debating and adopting budget and final account bills, approving the ratification of international treaties, and deciding on declarations of war in cases permitted under international law, among other constitutional powers.
Article 98: Details parliamentary oversight mechanisms, including parliamentary inquiries, general debates, parliamentary investigations and written questions. Written questions may be submitted by lawmakers to vice presidents and ministers.
The Judiciary (Articles 138, 146 & 148)
Judicial authority is exercised by independent and impartial courts on behalf of the Turkish nation.
Article 138: Establishes judicial independence. Judges rule according to the Constitution, laws and their conscientious convictions, and no state organ, authority or individual may issue orders, instructions, recommendations or suggestions to courts or judges concerning the exercise of judicial power.
Articles 146 & 148: Govern the Constitutional Court. The court consists of 15 members, with three elected by Parliament and 12 selected by the president through procedures established by the Constitution. The court reviews the constitutionality of laws and presidential decrees and performs other duties assigned by the Constitution. Individuals may also apply directly to the court over alleged violations by public authorities of fundamental rights and freedoms protected by the Constitution and falling within the scope of the European Convention on Human Rights after ordinary legal remedies have been exhausted.
Military interventions and constitutional interruptions
Türkiye’s constitutional history has been directly altered by political crises and military interventions, resulting in new charters or significant changes to the country’s constitutional order.
The 1960 Coup and the 1961 Charter
On May 27, 1960, the military overthrew the elected Democrat Party government led by Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, suspended the 1924 Constitution and dissolved Parliament. A military administration ruled until a Constituent Assembly drafted the 1961 Constitution. Approved by referendum, the new charter introduced a bicameral Parliament and established the Constitutional Court. Menderes, who served as prime minister from 1950 until the coup, was executed in September 1961 following a trial by a military-appointed court.
The 1971 Memorandum
On March 12, 1971, military commanders issued a memorandum that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel. While the 1961 Constitution remained in force, subsequent constitutional amendments curtailed some civil liberties and strengthened state authority during a period marked by political violence and martial law.
The 1980 Coup and the 1982 Charter
The most extensive constitutional disruption occurred on Sept. 12, 1980, when the military seized power, dissolved Parliament and suspended the existing constitutional order. Political parties were subsequently banned, and an appointed Consultative Assembly took part in drafting a new constitution.
The 1982 Constitution was approved in a national referendum and remains Türkiye’s current charter, although it has undergone numerous amendments under civilian governments over the following decades.
2017 Constitutional Reform
A major overhaul of Türkiye’s system of government came with the 2017 constitutional referendum, which approved the transition from the parliamentary system to the presidential system.
The amendments abolished the office of prime minister, vested executive authority in the president, revised parliamentary oversight mechanisms and reshaped the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. The new system took full effect following the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2018.
Central and Local Administration (Article 127)
Türkiye’s administrative system distinguishes between the central government’s provincial organization and elected local administrations.
Governors (vali) at the provincial level and district governors (kaymakam) represent the central administration in the provinces and districts, respectively.
Article 127, meanwhile, governs local administrations, defining them as public entities established to meet the common local needs of residents in provinces, municipalities and villages, with decision-making bodies elected by voters.
Mayors and municipal councils are elected by voters, while Türkiye’s metropolitan municipality system divides certain responsibilities between metropolitan municipalities and district municipalities.
Article 127 also grants the central administration powers of administrative tutelage (idari vesayet) over local governments within the principles and procedures prescribed by law. This oversight is intended to ensure that local services are carried out in accordance with the principle of administrative integrity, secure uniform public service, safeguard the public interest and meet local needs appropriately.
Push for New Civilian Constitution
Despite numerous amendments over the decades, replacing the 1982 Constitution with a new civilian-drafted charter remains a prominent issue in Türkiye’s political debate.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş have repeatedly advocated for a new civilian constitution, arguing that the existing charter retains the legacy of the military rule under which it was drafted despite extensive subsequent amendments.
Kurtulmuş said in August 2026 that Türkiye’s political climate and level of dialogue had matured sufficiently for work toward a new civilian constitution, describing such a charter as a longstanding objective.
Any constitutional amendment must follow the procedure established by Article 175. A proposal must first be submitted in writing by at least one-third of Parliament’s total membership, or 200 lawmakers, and must be debated twice in the General Assembly.
Approval requires at least a three-fifths majority, or 360 of Parliament’s 600 members, in a secret ballot.
A constitutional amendment adopted with between 360 and 399 votes must be submitted to a referendum if the president does not return it to Parliament for reconsideration.
An amendment receiving at least a two-thirds majority, or 400 votes, may take effect without a referendum after the constitutional process is completed, although the president retains the authority to submit such an amendment to a referendum.
With constitutional change requiring broad parliamentary support, efforts to draft an entirely new charter depend heavily on negotiations and political consensus across party lines.
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