The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) said its Imrali delegation and co-chairs will hold a news conference on Feb. 27 to mark the anniversary of a call for a “peaceful and democratic society,” with a new message from jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan expected to be read.

The event, scheduled for 11 a.m. in Ankara, will include members of the DEM Party’s Imrali delegation along with co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, the party said in a statement.

It was stated that the gathering will assess developments over the past year under what they describe as the “Peace and Democratic Society Process.”

They added that topics outlined by Öcalan during his most recent meeting, referred to as “steps required in the second phase,” are also expected to be addressed.

Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on Imralı Island since 1999, remains a central figure for Kurdish political actors despite Ankara’s designation of the PKK as a terrorist group.

In 2024, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli launched the terror-free Türkiye initiative, and in another parliamentary group meeting of the MHP, he called upon the PKK’s jailed ringleader, Abdullah Öcalan, to order the group to lay down arms after more than four decades of violence. Öcalan responded with a call to the PKK in February 2025 to dissolve itself. The PKK has largely complied with the call and held a symbolic ceremony in northern Iraq last summer where its members burned weapons.

Türkiye has made progress in the disarmament of the PKK terrorist group after a parliamentary committee agreed upon the guidelines for Parliament in the terror-free Türkiye initiative.

The report finalized by the parliamentary Commission on National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy last week, after months of deliberations since Aug. 5, 2025, outlines a road map for the continuation of the process. It stresses that legal arrangements can move forward only after the disarmament of the terrorist organization is verified and confirmed.

Addressing the parliamentary group meeting of the MHP, Bahçeli said the terror-free Türkiye goal confirmed the might of the Turkish state and nation and charted the road for a new century of Türkiye with “unwavering unity.”

He hailed the fact that Parliament took the highest level of initiative and all political parties except a few acted responsibly on the matter. He said that the committee’s report made up the most important leg of sincere efforts to achieve the goal of a terror-free Türkiye and slammed those criticizing the report.

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Burhanettin Duran, head of the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, said on Wednesday that Türkiye absolutely opposes Israel’s genocide in Palestine and aggression in the region and would not allow it to spread to the Horn of Africa.

“Any attempt targeting Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and actions to legitimize them are unacceptable. Türkiye stands with Somalia as it did in the past,” he told a panel in Ankara entitled “Turkish-Somalian Relations Amid Global Transformation.”

Türkiye is a close ally of Somalia with which it established diplomatic relations 60 years ago and expanded its clout in the Horn of Africa in the past two decades. Recognition of breakaway Somaliland by Israel has angered Ankara, which opposes Israel’s regional expansionism and ongoing genocide in Gaza.

At the panel organized by the Directorate of Communications, Duran said Turkish-Somalian relations have deepened and earned new dimensions after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan launched Türkiye’s “Africa opening” in 2005. The initiative aims to reconnect with African countries with a win-win approach, instead of the colonialist attitudes of the West. He reiterated Erdoğan’s 2011 visit to Somalia, which had repercussions across the world.

“We will never allow attempts to divide Somalia. This is Türkiye’s principle. We openly oppose Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. We are determined to continue our support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. The Horn of Africa’s fate should be determined by fate and stability, not by imposition,” he said.

Israel became the only country in the world to recognize Somaliland’s independence in December – something the territory has been seeking since declaring its autonomy from Somalia in 1991.

The government in Mogadishu and international organizations like the U.N. still see Somaliland as an integral part of Somalia.

Shortly after Israel’s recognition at the end of December, social media was flooded with photos of men and women displaying the Israeli flag – one of them even using it as a hijab.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on the other hand, denounced it as “the greatest violation of Somalia’s sovereignty” and a “threat to the security and stability of the world and the region.”

The African Union and most Arab countries threw their support behind Somalia and condemned the move.

The U.S., however, defended what it said was Israel’s right to recognize Somaliland, although President Donald Trump said he was unlikely to follow suit, despite pressure from some within his Republican party.

Duran said Türkiye neglected Africa in the past, but under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a transformation began that freed foreign policy from this problematic perspective and made Africa one of its main areas of focus.

“We support the economic development and capacity-building needs of African countries. In addition, we support the security and stability of African nations and encourage bilateral cooperation in the defense industry. We assume a facilitating or mediating role in disputes that arise in the region, based on the trust placed in Türkiye. We also cooperate with regional organizations across the continent and coordinate with African countries,” he said.

Duran noted that, thanks to Erdoğan’s strong and effective leadership, these efforts have increased Türkiye’s prestige on the continent and enabled the establishment of relations with African partners on the basis of equality and mutual understanding. He said Türkiye’s presence in Africa today disturbs many countries with different ambitions.

“These countries continue to make the mistake of viewing the African continent as a playground for great powers. As if it were not enough that they depict a vast continent as much smaller on physical maps, they also circulate a narrative in the communications sphere that ignores all of the continent’s beauty, wealth and potential, focusing instead on crisis and chaos,” he lamented.

“Our approach is very different. Evaluating Africa through one-dimensional readings means missing the continent’s real story. Africa is a continent of ancient civilizations, unique natural beauty and rich cultural diversity. Today, with its young and dynamic population, abundant resources and steps toward regional integration, Africa is becoming one of the new centers of attraction in the global economy. For this reason, we approach our relations with Africa on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. This is the most important factor that distinguishes us from other countries and brings Africa closer to us,” he added.

Speaking at Wednesday’s event in Ankara, Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur reminded that Türkiye was one of the first countries to recognize Somalia’s independence in 1960, and Somalis have always viewed Türkiye as friends standing with them in their struggles.

“Our diplomatic relations did not reflect their potential in the past, and we saw how they transformed in 2011 (with Erdoğan’s visit),” he said.

“Mr. Erdoğan visited Mogadishu at a time when everyone turned their backs on Somalia. This changed the course of history. He traveled somewhere nobody wanted to visit and became a hope for a country where others considered beyond reparation,” he said.

Daud Aweis Jama, minister of information, culture and tourism, said Türkiye and Somalia had a strategic partnership and, beyond that,the two countries had a deep-rooted history. He emphasized cooperation with Türkiye in many fields, from the economy and maritime commerce to energy.

Jama noted that Somalia had Africa’s largest coast, and they worked with Türkiye to transform the coast from a fragile hot spot to a place to generate wealth. He noted that they established significant cooperation for the extraction of land and maritime resources, pointing to joint deepwater survey projects planned for this year.

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Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said Wednesday that his office is ready to provide technical support to lawmakers as Türkiye advances its terror-free initiative, a broader effort aimed at ending decades of PKK terrorism.

Speaking to reporters before the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting, Gürlek said the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, which oversees the process, had submitted its recommendations to the Parliament speaker’s office.

“As the Justice Ministry, we have only established a technical team for the lawmaking process,” Gürlek said. “If our Parliament needs it, our team is always ready to work alongside it.”

The initiative aims to end PKK terrorism that began in 1984 and killed more than 40,000 people, sowing discord at home and spreading violence across borders into Iraq and Syria.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S. and the EU, halted attacks last year and said in May it had decided to dissolve itself in response to a February 2025 call by its imprisoned ringleader, Abdullah Öcalan, to end its decades-long attacks.

Parliament passed a parliamentary commission report last week that sets out a road map for legal reforms alongside the PKK’s disbandment.

Gürlek emphasized that any legal framework related to the process would be drafted and approved solely by Parliament.

He also stressed that no general amnesty or personal legal arrangement would be introduced that could create a perception of impunity for PKK members laying down their weapons.

Addressing questions on juvenile crime, the minister said authorities had determined that criminal networks were exploiting minors. He noted that a parliamentary commission is studying the issue and that necessary amendments could be included in the upcoming 12th Judicial Reform Package.

Work on the package is ongoing and is expected to include new social media regulations aimed at preventing the misuse of anonymous and fake accounts and curbing online defamation. Separate efforts led by the Family and Social Services Ministry are focusing on protections for children under 15.

On a separate legal case involving alleged insults against the president, Gürlek said jurisdiction was determined based on the location of the alleged offense and stressed that the matter falls entirely under the authority of the independent judiciary.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the suffering people of Gaza continue to show remarkable resilience as they observe Ramadan under bombardment, describing their determination as a source of inspiration for Muslims across the world.

“Our Gazan brothers and sisters who break their fast in makeshift buildings amid the ruins, yet refuse to bow to Israeli oppression, are setting an example for all Muslims with their faith,” Erdoğan said.

He also criticized Israel for its disregard for international law, saying its attacks on Gaza and the West Bank have escalated despite the cease-fire reached on Oct. 10, which he noted was secured with Türkiye’s efforts.

“Despite the cease-fire achieved on Oct. 10 with our efforts as well, the lawless Israeli government continues to escalate its attacks on Gaza and the West Bank,” he said.

Noting that Israeli attacks have killed 615 Palestinians and wounded nearly 2,000 others since Oct. 11, Erdoğan said serious obstacles continue to hinder the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza.

He noted that restrictions and Israel’s arbitrary practices at the Rafah border crossing, Gaza’s “lifeline,” remain in place despite urgent humanitarian needs.

Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s stance on supporting a just and lasting peace, urging the international community to act decisively to stop the violence and protect civilians.

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Türkiye will continue to play a constructive and determined role in securing regional stability and advancing efforts toward lasting peace, Presidential Chief Adviser for Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç said Tuesday.

Kılıç made the remarks in a statement on his social media account following his meeting with Rustem Umerov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, noting that the discussions touched on regional security, diplomatic initiatives aimed at supporting peace, and ongoing defense cooperation between Ankara and Kyiv.

Emphasizing Türkiye’s long-standing commitment to diplomacy and conflict resolution, Kılıç said the country will continue its efforts to promote stability across the region and support channels that can help pave the way for sustainable peace.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also held a meeting with Umerov in the capital Ankara, the Foreign Ministry said.

NATO member Türkiye, which has striven to maintain relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, has become a key mediator amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for a deal to end the yearslong war.

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Türkiye is acting with caution in a region where new crises emerge daily, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Tuesday, adding that the country is ready to neutralize any plot aimed against it, underscoring the country’s determination to safeguard national security amid escalating regional challenges.

Speaking at an iftar dinner with security forces in the capital Ankara, Erdoğan emphasized that the government’s decisions are guided by more than two decades of experience, “fine political calculation” and well-planned strategy.

Erdoğan said Türkiye’s security gains are visible across the country, noting that areas once inaccessible due to PKK terrorism now welcome shepherds, domestic and foreign tourists.

“Whoever disturbs the peace of our people, whoever threatens the security of our state, or attacks our freedoms and democracy, we will continue to press down on them,” he said.

Praising Türkiye’s security forces for their role in preserving national stability, Erdoğan credited them with dismantling terror networks, confronting organized crime, preventing human trafficking, rescuing thousands at sea and defending the state during critical moments such as the July 15 coup attempt. He said their efforts have turned Türkiye into a “rare island of stability and security” in its region.

Erdoğan vowed continued support for police, gendarmerie, coast guard and all personnel under the Interior Ministry, adding that Türkiye rejects dependence or tutelage from any power.

Reaffirming Türkiye’s long-standing principle of sovereignty, Erdoğan said the state will continue strengthening its institutions to ensure peace, order and resilience against external attempts to destabilize the country.

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