Director of Communications Burhanettin Duran attended the ‘Türkiye-Somalia Relations in the Global Transformation Process Panel’ held at the Directorate of Communications. Federal Republic of Somalia Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport Abdülkadir Muhammed Nur, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Somalia Daud Aweis Jama, the Somali delegation and many guests also took part in the program.

Director of Communications Burhanettin Duran pointed out that Türkiye’s approach to Africa is different from other countries and said, “Evaluating Africa with one-dimensional readings is to miss the real story of the continent. Africa is the continent of ancient civilizations, unique natural beauties and rich cultural diversity. Today, Africa is becoming one of the new centers of attraction of the global economy with its young and dynamic population, resource wealth and regional integration steps. For this reason, we approach our relations with Africa with the understanding of equality, mutual respect and common gain. Investment, trade, technology, “We aim to produce more together, grow together and build a future together in many areas including education, infrastructure and defense industry. Because we believe that the rise of Africa is a strong opportunity not only for Africa, but also for a fairer and more balanced international order on a global scale,” he said.

‘WE ARE AGAINST ISRAEL’S INITIATIVE IN SOMALILAND’

Duran said, “Any initiative that targets the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia and attempts to legitimize this is never acceptable. Turkey stands by Somalia today, as it did yesterday. We see standing against such impositions as a principle, not a choice, and we will never step back from this principle. We are clearly and clearly against Israel’s attempt to recognize Somaliland. We are against Israel’s genocide in Palestine and its regional politics.” “We will not tolerate it carrying its aggression to the Horn of Africa. We consider this step as an extremely dangerous move that harms the delicate security balance of the region and drags the Horn of Africa into uncertainty,” he said.

‘SPACE BASE PROJECT WILL LEAD TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES’

Emphasizing that the cooperation between Turkey and Somalia has expanded, Duran said, “We bid farewell to the Çağrı Bey ship, which will drill off the coast of Somalia, as previously announced by our President. Let us not forget to mention our cooperation to develop Somalia’s technical capacity in the field of fishing. Finally, I would like to mention our space base project, perhaps our most important cooperation in Somalia. In addition to increasing the international prestige of Turkey and Somalia, this exciting project creates new opportunities in many areas such as security, defense industry and technology sharing.” “I foresee that it will lead to opportunities. In the coming period, we aim to deepen the Turkey-Somalia partnership not only in the current topics, but also in a wide range of areas, from maritime to food security, from renewable energy to digital transformation, from education to health, logistics and investments. Thank God, these are very good developments and it is possible to extend this list. Our aim is to contribute to the common prosperity of the two countries with projects that create capacity in the field and increase the institutional power of Somalia.”

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin made important statements in the live broadcast he attended on A Haber. Responding to the ‘secularism declaration’ with 168 signatures, Minister Tekin said, “Those who wrote this declaration are the reactionary minority.”

THERE IS NO SITUATION TO EXCESS

Minister Tekin said, “I have not yet seen any criticism that I would take seriously in a pedagogical or academic sense.”

Some people say things with different accusations, different definitions and prejudices, but they have no scientific basis. Our main concern is that our children come to school with pleasure and enjoyment, and that they learn by having fun. It is quite natural for them to come one day with the anthem of their favorite football team, there is no need to exaggerate this. In sociological terms, the social structure, history and civilization of every country develops through children’s games. In our games, children learn cooperation and solidarity. That’s why we wanted environments where our traditional children’s games are played in our school gardens.

MAIN DUTIES

We wanted our children to start with awareness activities that will make peace, human rights, democracy and the rule of law dominant in our country and that they will understand that our flag is an instrument that offers us these areas. Referring to the fact that this is one of the main duties of the Ministry of National Education from the constitution and our relevant legislation, especially the National Education Basic Law No. 1739, we wished to organize a Ramadan event on volunteering.

RESPONSE TO THE SECULARISM DECLARATION

The definition of secularism that I have gained from all these years of reading; They are political regimes where people’s freedom of religious belief and worship is guaranteed. Contrary to this stance, the oppressive attitude towards the faithful is anachronistic. These groups ignore the joyful atmosphere in schools and the excitement of children. In a country where 99 percent are Muslims, those who describe the lively children in schools and these enthusiastic activities as ‘the provocation of the reactionary minority’ are the real reactionaries. People who define themselves as artists and intellectuals have no right to insult this nation.

“I WILL TAKE IT TO JUDICIAL”

On behalf of the community I represent, our students and parents who voluntarily participate in these events, I decided to take the matter to court, considering that these serious insults are a series of crimes that definitely require an apology. We will take the process to court. ANKARA

INDIGISM OF THE KNOWN GUARDIAN CORONA

168 writers, artists, academics, journalists and professional chamber representatives, including Korkut Boratav, Oğuzhan Müftüoğlu, Hayri Kozanoğlu, Merdan Yanardağ, İlhan Cihaner, Melike Demirağ, Ayşe Kulin, Müjde Ar, Şükrü Erbaş, Rutkay Aziz, Canan Güllü and Timur Soykan, signed a joint statement. In the text titled “We Defend Secularism Together”, it was stated that “Defending secularism is not a crime. We defend secularism together, we reject sharia impositions! These moves have come to the point of ignoring the provocations and attacks of the reactionary minority against the calls for secularism rising from the society, and punishing those who defend the secular republic – disregarding the Constitution – as if they were ‘criminals’. Defending secularism is not a crime.”

The importance of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s calls for “strong family, strong Türkiye” and “at least three children” was once again revealed with TÜİK’s 2025 data; The announced statistics showed that the family institution needs to be supported.

552 THOUSAND 237 MARRIAGES

Marriage and Divorce Statistics for 2025 announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) revealed that marriages are decreasing in Türkiye and divorces are continuing to increase. The number of couples getting married, which was 569 thousand 983 in 2024, decreased to 552 thousand 237 in 2025. The number of divorced couples increased from 188 thousand 963 in 2024 to 193 thousand 793 in 2025.

İZMİR RANKS FIRST IN DIVORCE

The province with the highest divorce rate in 2025 was Izmir. İzmir was followed by Antalya and Denizli. The lowest divorce rate was seen in Hakkari. This province was followed by Şırnak and Bitlis. According to the duration of marriage, the data showed that the risk was especially concentrated in the first period of marriage. In 2025, 34 percent of divorces occurred in the first 5 years, and 20.3 percent within 6–10 years. This reveals that the early years of marriage are the most fragile period. 191 thousand children were affected by divorces. As a result of divorce cases finalized in 2025, 191 thousand 371 children were given into custody. In the custody distribution, the ratio was 74.6 percent mother and 25.4 percent father. The data showed that post-divorce child care responsibility largely remained with mothers.

AGE DIFFERENCE HAS REDUCED

Statistics revealed that the age of marriage was postponed to older ages for both genders. While the average age at first marriage was 28.5 for men, it was 26 for women. The data shows that the province with the highest marriage rate in Türkiye was Gaziantep with 7.76 per thousand, followed by Osmaniye and Şanlıurfa. The lowest marriage rate was seen in Tunceli with 4.18 per thousand. Gümüşhane was the second province with the lowest marriage rate, and Ardahan was the third.

FOREIGN BRIDES MORE

IN 2025, while the number of foreign grooms constituted 1 percent of the grooms with 5 thousand 347, the number of foreign brides reached 5.2 percent of the total brides with 28 thousand 646. Among foreign grooms, Syrians came first (20.9%), followed by Germans (18.8%) and Afghans (5%). Among foreign brides, Syrians (13.8%), Uzbeks (13.7%) and Moroccans (9.6%) were the top three.

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli gave important messages regarding the terror-free Türkiye process at his party’s group meeting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Bahçeli’s agenda also included the circular of the Ministry of National Education regarding the month of Ramadan. Bahçeli said:

WE CONGRATULATE (Ramadan Circular of the Ministry of National Education): We appreciate and congratulate you. Has anyone seen the slightest sign, the slightest evidence that Türkiye has become Talibanized? Aren’t those who make a fuss about Ramadan activities as Talibanization and reactionism, truly bigots? Let the rotten intellectuals say frankly what they want.

YOU ARE DARK IN YOUR RACE (“We Defend Secularism Together” declaration): If you put these 168 people side by side, on top of each other, they wouldn’t even amount to one person, they can’t. Your regiment is dark. If believing in God is reactionary, we are as reactionary as honey. Do not play with the sensitivities of the Muslim Turkish nation. Do not try to dilute our month of Ramadan. Know your place, don’t make us upset.

IT ALSO BINDS KCK: The founding leader of the PKK has a great involvement and share in the implementation of the goal of a terror-free Türkiye. This call also binds KCK. The termination of the higher structure of the organization should be achieved immediately. How will the status issue of the founding leadership of the PKK be addressed in order to realize the arrangements to be made? If there is a problem, and we think there is, how will it be solved? How will the status gap of Imrali, which serves a terrorist-free Türkiye, be closed? This discussion should be held sincerely and a reasonable, reasonable and conscientious conclusion should be reached in a short time. The trustee issue should be re-evaluated within the limits of democracy, and the two Ahmets should be placed in their positions.

THE ROUTE HAS BEEN DETERMINED (Commission report): With the goal of “Terror-free Turkey”, the power of the state and the nation has been confirmed, and the route of the new century has been determined by updating and strengthening the insurmountable, indestructible unity, solidarity and brotherhood awareness within us against those who cannot defeat us from outside. Gazi Parliament, which is the manifestation of the national will, took the initiative at the highest level. The most important leg of the sincere efforts and initiatives regarding the “Terror-free Türkiye” target was formed with the commission report. Those who call this report a manifesto of misery are themselves debauched and miserable. The National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy Commission broke taboos with the historical role it assumed. In addition to our national unity and brotherhood, our democracy will become even stronger. Development and increase in welfare will be more visible. The Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood, which broke the bloody cycle of separatist terrorism, will survive forever. The framework of the required legal regulations should also be drawn without giving importance to the perception of amnesty and impunity. The honor of the Turk is the honor of the Kurd.

THE THREAT IS NEAR (USA-Iran tension): Our region is going through a historical test. The threat is close and hot. The US attack on Iran will completely disrupt the geography and open the door to a period of widespread wars beyond expectations.

TO CONTINUE: Those who are determined to have a betting account should be held by the collar. The president of the Turkish Football Federation has taken a very healthy step, he should continue on his way.

COURTESY VISIT FROM AKIN GÜRLEK

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek visited Bahçeli in his office after the group meeting. Bahçeli welcomed Gürlek at the office door. The meeting, which was stated to be a courtesy visit, lasted approximately 15 minutes. No statement was made after the meeting.

President Erdoğan attended the iftar program organized for police, gendarmerie, coast guard personnel and security guards at Beştepe Nation Exhibition Hall. Erdoğan briefly said the following in his speech at the program:

WE ARE WEAVING THIS PROCESS STICK BY STICK: I hope that with the Terror-Free Türkiye process, we are taking all the achievements one step further; We are making an indelible contribution to our country’s bottom line. On the one hand; The security forces of our state with its military, police, gendarmerie, intelligence officers, security guards… On the other hand, our veteran Parliament, which is the manifestation of the national will… And of course, we weave this process together with our beloved nation, who does not leave us alone with its blessings in every step we take.

I BELIEVE WE WILL REACH THE GOAL: As a nation that has been reborn from its ashes and has overcome many difficulties in its thousand-year history, I wholeheartedly believe that we will achieve our goal. I hope that together we will build a Türkiye where mothers do not cry, where saplings in the prime of their lives do not break prematurely, and where fires do not fall on the stoves. The point reached in the Terror-free Türkiye process; It is the work of your heroism, the courage of our veterans and the epic struggle of our beloved martyrs, whose memories we keep alive in the most noble corner of our hearts. Hopefully, together we will reach the great and powerful Türkiye that finds its meaning in the vision of the Turkish Century.

WE HAVE AN ACCOUNT AGAINST EVERY ACCOUNT: The safest place on earth for every individual of 86 million is the peaceful shadow of our crescent and star red flag. We will not allow unrest, instability, turmoil and chaos to be created in this shadow. We are prepared to disrupt every game and foil every conspiracy. Today, Türkiye is stronger, vigilant, capable, and has initiative and will than ever before in its recent history.

TURKEY, THE “POLAR POLE” OF ITS REGION: We are rapidly building a Türkiye that consolidates its place as the “polar head” of its region in the reshaped world system. Today, peace and security prevail in every corner of our country. Shepherds now graze sheep and local and foreign tourists visit places that could not be visited for years due to the threat of terrorism. By bringing our oil and natural gas, which remained idle for years, as in Gabar, into the economy, the welfare level of all 86 million people increases.

TURKEY IS A PLAYER IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE: As the risk of terrorism, which disrupted our march for nearly half a century, poisoned the brotherhood of our nation, and imposed a heavy bill of more than 2 trillion dollars on our economy, disappears; Regardless of whether they are Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Alevis or Sunnis, all members of our beloved nation win. Türkiye is now becoming a player in a different league.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the HAVELSAN Sancar Unmanned Marine Vehicle Commissioning, Facilities Groundbreaking and Opening Ceremony at HAVELSAN Technology Campus:

Today, we are once again witnessing Türkiye’s engineering mind, its possibilities and capabilities in the field of defense, and its future march shaped by domestic and national technology. We are putting our SANCAR Armed Unmanned Marine Vehicle into service, laying the foundations of the Simulator Production and Integration Facility, and opening the KAAN Technology Facility and the Naval Combat Management System Center.

THE LARGEST IN EUROPE

We are strengthening our unmanned capabilities at sea with SANCAR SİDA, which we will add to our inventory; We increase our security, effectiveness and surveillance capacity. With the Simulator Production and Integration Facility, we expand our training, preparation and sustainable operation infrastructure and make our human resources more qualified. When completed, this complex will be Europe’s largest production and integration facility in simulation technologies. We hope to further strengthen the critical technology backbone of our air and naval platforms with the KAAN Technology Facility and Naval Combat Management System Center. I wholeheartedly congratulate HAVELSAN for providing us with these proud systems, facilities and platforms, and express my gratitude to them on behalf of myself and my nation. I hope that these works, which will take Türkiye’s defense power, capacity and deterrence both in the sky homeland and the blue homeland to the next level, will be beneficial and auspicious for our country and nation.

These investments, which we will put into service, inaugurate and lay the foundations for today, are the continuation of strategic moves that will increase the holistic capacity and impact of our defense ecosystem. With these facilities and platforms, our engineering processes will accelerate, our testing and verification discipline will strengthen, and our training and simulation capabilities will expand. Hopefully, the software-based capabilities of our naval and air elements will be taken even higher. Security and defense are never one-dimensional. A strong defense architecture must cover every field, from the depths of the sea to space, from land to cyber security. Thank God, with the breakthrough we have made in the last 23 years, especially in unmanned technologies, we have now reached a level that is astounding to the whole world. We have reached this level with patience and perseverance, despite the obstacles put in front of us by our friends and allies. We achieved this by meticulously planning every move down to the smallest detail.

WE REDUCED EXTERNAL DEPENDENCE TO 20 PERCENT

We reduced foreign dependency, which was once 80 percent, to 20 percent. Our engineers, technicians, companies and shipyards have written a historical success story in the air, on land and at sea. Now there is a Turkey that designs its own technology, produces its own software and exports its products to the whole world. Now there is a Türkiye that meets the security needs of its allies. Now there is a Türkiye whose star is gradually rising in the world, which implements the 3T model, that is, detection, diagnosis and attack processes, with its local and national technology. Today, Türkiye is one of the 10 countries in the world that has developed and launched its own warship.

THE FOUNDATION OF THE GIANT PROJECT HAS BEEN LAYED

President Erdoğan put the Sancar armed unmanned marine vehicle into service and laid the foundations of the simulator production and integration facility. Erdoğan also opened the KAAN Technology Facility and the Naval Combat Management System Center. A live connection was made to Muğla Aksaz Base Command. SANCAR SİDA commissioning certificate was presented. SANCAR was included in the inventory of the Naval Forces Command. After the ceremony, the ribbon was cut in the hall.

TARGET DIGITAL DOMINATION

Deterrence cannot be measured solely by the number of systems and platforms we have. Today, the determining factors of deterrence are software that gives intelligence to platforms, secure data flow, uninterrupted communication and cyber resilience. For this reason, as Türkiye, we see digital sovereignty in the field of defense as an integral part of our national security.

WE INVESTED IN YOUTH

We are breaking new records in defense and aerospace exports every year. Our defense exports increased by 48 percent compared to the previous year, surpassing 10 billion dollars. This figure was only $248 million in 2002. By reaching our 11 billion dollar export target in 2028, we will be among the top 10 countries in the world in defense and aerospace exports. So how did we achieve these successes? We invested in the youth of this country and paved the way for them. We adopted and implemented the ideal of a fully independent Türkiye as a determined state policy in the field of defense.

WE DID NOT LISTEN TO THOSE WITHOUT VISION

There were those who wanted to block our way, destroy our hope, and discourage us on this path, which was as long as it was thorny. There were those without vision who said, ‘Why should we produce it ourselves?’, ‘Why should we go to all this trouble?’, ‘There are ready-made ones, let’s buy them.’ While we were advancing with the ideal of a fully independent Türkiye in every field, there were incompetent people who said, ‘These people will cause trouble for us, turn away from this path.’ We didn’t mind any of this. We were not caught up in the vortex of learned helplessness. We did not listen to those who wanted to drag us down to their level.

OUR SECURITY FORCES HAVE WASTED EVERY GAME

In our recent history, our police forces have fought tough battles incomparably with other countries and have successfully passed great tests; Despite the numerous assassinations of reputation it has been subjected to, it has, thank God, foiled every attack against our state and every plot against our independence. You are the ones who wrote epics in the fight against terrorist organizations without any discrimination. You are the ones who give organized crime organizations no respite. You are the ones who turn a blind eye to poison merchants, gangs, and insolent people who consider themselves superior to the state and the law. We will continue to attack whoever disturbs the peace of our people, whoever interferes with the security of our state, who attacks our freedoms and democracy.