Politics
Interior minister says Türkiye not to allow migrant smugglers to operate
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said Sunday that the country will continue its determined fight against irregular migration, migrant smuggling networks and organized crime, stressing the critical role of the Coast Guard Command in protecting the country’s maritime borders and saving lives at sea.
Minister Çiftçi made the remarks during an iftar program hosted by the Coast Guard Command at the Interior Ministry in Ankara, where he praised the institution’s role in combating migrant smuggling, narcotics trafficking and other maritime crimes.
“Irregular migration is one of the fundamental issues in protecting our border security, public order and human life,” Çiftçi noted. “While our country shows compassion to those in need, we are determined to fight against organized structures that turn migrant smuggling into profit.”
He described the Turkish coast guard as the most important force in the Blue Homeland, a term used in Türkiye to describe its maritime jurisdiction and strategic interests at sea.
According to Çiftçi, surveillance, monitoring and intervention operations carried out at sea not only disrupt smuggling networks but also help protect people whose lives are at risk during dangerous migration journeys.
Emphasizing that this determination will continue and migrant smugglers will never be allowed, “Smuggling routes, sea-based shipments and the dark networks trying to establish themselves in coastal areas will be dismantled through your vigilant observation and rapid intervention,” he said.
Çiftçi noted that maritime security operations cannot be measured solely by the number of arrests or interceptions, but also by their deterrent effect against criminal activity.
“The operational capability we maintain at sea represents deterrence, prevention of crime and the protection of our nation’s peace,” he stressed.
The interior minister also highlighted the broader responsibilities of the Coast Guard, which include search and rescue operations, combating irregular migration, ensuring maritime safety and protecting the marine environment.
“The Coast Guard Command is one of our greatest strategic strengths across a wide range of duties from counternarcotics efforts at sea to search and rescue operations and environmental protection,” he said, adding that the government intends to further strengthen the institution’s capabilities.
Coast guard Commander Vice Adm. Ahmet Kendir also addressed the gathering.
Çiftçi also underlined that Türkiye remains firmly committed to combating all forms of crime, including organized criminal networks, human trafficking and terrorism.
“We will continue to confront those who disrupt public order, organized crime networks, smuggling rings, human traffickers and terrorist elements within the framework of the law and with unwavering resolve.”
The minister also underscored the strategic importance of the country’s seas, ports and coastlines.
“The security of our seas is not only a matter of border protection,” he said. “It is also about safeguarding our economy, trade, environment, human life and national will.”
Moreover, reminding us that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan represents a time of compassion and solidarity, he also reiterated Türkiye’s broader political vision under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
He said the government’s “Türkiye Century” vision aims to strengthen national resilience in defense, economic stability, technological development and public security.
Çiftçi also warned about the dangers posed by drug trafficking, describing narcotics as a threat not only to public health but also to society’s stability.
“Drugs are more than a toxic trade,” he said. “They are a hidden trap targeting our youth, weakening families and feeding criminal organizations. We will never allow those who darken the hopes of our young people to succeed.”
He added that protecting the country’s youth and future generations remains a sacred duty for the government and security institutions.
Türkiye is a key transit route for migrants attempting to reach Europe, and its coast guard regularly carries out rescue and interception operations along the Aegean coastline.
The country has intensified nationwide operations in recent years amid rising regional migration pressures.
Earlier this year, the Interior Ministry announced that 478 irregular migrants and 19 migrant smugglers were captured in nationwide inspections.
Police, gendarmerie, coast guard and border patrols joined forces for inspections in 81 provinces under the coordination of the General Directorate of Migration.
In a social media post, the ministry said more than 27,000 personnel took part in inspections in more than 14,000 locations.
Turkish-origin candidates running in municipal elections in the Netherlands say combating racism and discrimination, along with addressing the housing crisis and rising living costs, are among their top priorities ahead of Wednesday’s vote.
Voters across the Netherlands are set to head to the polls on March 18 to elect local councils. Several candidates of Turkish descent representing different political parties say the election carries particular significance for immigrant communities and minority groups.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Eylem Köseoğlu, the lead candidate for the GreenLeft–Labour alliance (GL-PvdA) in the city of Zaanstad, said issues of equal treatment and structural discrimination remain pressing concerns for many residents, particularly in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations.
Köseoğlu criticized what she described as targeted housing inspections in districts with high numbers of residents of Turkish or Moroccan background. According to her, special inspection teams conduct checks in certain neighborhoods in ways that have raised concerns about privacy and fairness.
“The most important issue is equal treatment,” Köseoğlu said. “Fighting crime is important, but crime is always individual. There is no such thing as assuming someone is connected to criminal networks because they are Turkish or Moroccan.”
She said that in some neighborhood authorities enter homes and collect information without residents being fully aware, while similar practices are not carried out in other parts of the city.
“That undermines people’s trust in the government and in municipal authorities,” she said.
Köseoğlu also argued that structural discrimination remains one of the biggest challenges in Dutch society. “It is not always visible, but it exists within the system,” she said, adding that people may face unequal treatment in job applications, internships or the housing market due to their names or backgrounds.
She warned that political rhetoric that divides society into “us and them” can contribute to prejudice. “In the past, such rhetoric would be condemned by society, but now almost anything can be said,” she said.
“These kinds of statements are becoming normalized, and that is very dangerous.”
If elected, Köseoğlu said she would support stricter monitoring in the housing market to detect discriminatory practices and establish more accessible complaint and support mechanisms for victims of discrimination.
She also said municipal administrations should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. “Zaanstad is a very diverse city,” she said. “That diversity should also be visible within the municipal government.”
In Amsterdam, Denk party candidate Numan Yılmaz said housing shortages and the rising cost of living are among the most pressing concerns raised by Turkish-origin voters.
“Young people especially are complaining about housing,” Yılmaz said.
“They cannot find homes, and the ones they find are either extremely expensive or extremely small.”
Yılmaz, who served as a member of the Amsterdam City Council between 2018 and 2022 and previously led the Denk faction in the council, said racism in the Netherlands appears to be increasing despite Amsterdam’s reputation as a politically progressive city.
“Developments around the world are also affecting the Netherlands,” he said. “The country receives a lot of immigrants, and as immigration increases, attitudes toward immigrants can become more negative.”
Yılmaz offered stronger sanctions are needed to combat racism. “When penalties are too light, people feel free to continue and even escalate discriminatory behavior,” he said.
He also pointed out to declining voter participation in some parts of Amsterdam, where turnout has dropped to around 18%.
“That means 82% of people are not voting,” he said. “If people participated, it would not be difficult for our community to secure five, six or even 10 seats in the 45-member council.”
Local councils, he added, directly influence daily life by making decisions that affect housing, education and municipal services. “That is why people should make full use of their right to vote,” he said.
Meanwhile, in The Hague, Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) candidate Fatma Aktaş said economic hardship has become a major concern for residents.
According to Aktaş, roughly 40,000 people in the city are living near the poverty line. “Some families are approaching the hunger threshold,” she said.
“There are municipal social support programs, but they do not reach enough people.”
Aktaş also expressed concern about institutional racism and the lack of effective oversight mechanisms to address complaints. “If there were sufficient control mechanisms, these problems would not grow to this level,” she said.
She argued that tackling racism should involve cooperation across political parties. “It cannot be the responsibility of a single party,” she said.
“Strength comes from unity.”
Aktaş also advocated educational programs aimed at addressing prejudice and promoting understanding, including initiatives within schools.
“I would like to see anti-racism education included in school curricula,” she said. “At the root of racism there is often fear, and that fear can grow and harm society.”
She also encouraged residents to take part in the elections. “In some areas of The Hague, about 26% of voters do not participate,” she said. “No matter which party you support, please vote.”
Aktaş added that she particularly supports greater representation of women in politics.
“Women are the backbone of families and communities. I believe women should have a stronger presence in politics,” she stressed.
Türkiye’s Embassy in Baghdad has warned Turkish citizens to avoid traveling to Iraq unless absolutely necessary.
The security conditions in Iraq could deteriorate rapidly, the embassy said on Friday in a statement through X.
It advised Turkish citizens to stay away from crowded squares and gathering areas, locations around Baghdad’s Green Zone where protests are held, Baghdad and Erbil international airports and nearby areas, venues frequently visited by third-country nationals, and open spaces where air defense systems may carry out preventive interceptions.
It also urged citizens to avoid Mosul and surrounding settlements, areas near Basra, military zones across Iraq, and critical infrastructure such as oil fields, while exercising maximum caution for their personal safety.
The embassy also recalled that Iraqi airspace has been closed to air traffic due to ongoing regional conflicts and that it has been announced it will remain closed at least until March 16.
Under these circumstances, it noted that travel to Türkiye by land remains possible, provided local conditions and security precautions are carefully considered.
The statement added that the land route between Türkiye and Iraq remains open and that the Habur-Ibrahim Khalil Border Gate continues to operate, reiterating that Turkish citizens should avoid traveling to Iraq unless necessary during this period.
It also said Iraqi authorities have announced that third-country nationals will be granted a seven-day transit visa at land border crossings. “In this context, our citizens who are in other countries in the region and wish to travel to our country via Iraq may benefit from this opportunity,” the statement said.
It also urged citizens to contact Turkish diplomatic missions in Iraq or the Consular Call Center in case of emergencies.
Israel and the U.S. launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that are home to U.S. military assets, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.
Türkiye is preparing to introduce draft legislation aimed at accelerating the disarmament of the PKK terrorist group as part of the government’s “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, with work on the proposals expected to begin after the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday.
According to a report in the Sabah newspaper, preparations are ongoing for a framework law intended to support the disarmament process. The proposal would be prepared and shared with the public, and then submitted to Parliament after authorities confirm and verify that the terrorist group has laid down its weapons.
The planned legislation follows recommendations from the Turkish Parliament’s National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, which prepared a report outlining legal changes related to the initiative.
Under the commission’s recommendations, laws linked to the process would be enacted only after the disarmament of the PKK is confirmed and verified.
Officials note that rising tensions in the Middle East could cause delays in the disarmament process. However, ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) officials say it would not be appropriate to take no steps on the legislative side during this period.
They said the preparation of a legal framework could help clarify the conditions under which members of the organization would lay down their weapons.
Draft law preparations
Parliament is expected to discuss what mechanism will be used to prepare the legislation after the Eid holiday.
Among the options being discussed are submitting the proposals through the AK Party, establishing an informal commission, or preparing the work through the Justice Commission or deputy parliamentary group leaders.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş also raised the issue during an iftar gathering with members of the parliamentary commission. Officials said the matter would be evaluated again after the holiday.
The aim is to announce the draft legislation by the end of April.
A new formula is also being discussed to accelerate the process. Under that approach, Parliament would prepare a legislative proposal that includes regulations on “returning home” and share it with the public.
The move would send a message that legal steps would follow once the organization takes concrete actions toward disarmament.
After authorities confirm and verify that weapons have been laid down or that the process has reached a certain stage, the legislation would be quickly passed by Parliament.
Background to the initiative
Türkiye’s efforts to end PKK violence that has killed more than 50,000 people and to remove the divisions fostered by the terrorist group over four decades entered a new stage last month.
Türkiye is working to bring a permanent end to PKK terrorism with its “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, first proposed in October 2024 by government ally Devlet Bahçeli, who extended an olive branch to the PKK’s jailed ringleader Abdullah Öcalan if he urged the organization to lay down its arms.
After the group announced last year that it would dissolve itself in response to Öcalan’s appeal, a parliamentary committee approved a report recommending legislation to accelerate the process.
The report will serve as a guide for Parliament in drafting legislation and is intended to facilitate the process once authorities confirm that the PKK has fully abandoned its armed activities.
A cross-party parliamentary commission recently published the report to prepare the legal groundwork for the process and support plans to reintegrate former PKK members.
Authorities have repeatedly ruled out any amnesty for Öcalan or for militants involved in terrorist acts. Officials say the legal framework would only consider integration measures for PKK members who were not involved in acts of terrorism.
Proposed legal framework
The report includes suggestions for rehabilitation measures following the complete dissolution of the PKK.
Several legal amendments are being planned for PKK members, including new legal definitions that would categorize them into three groups: those involved in acts of terrorism, those who were not involved in violence and those already imprisoned for PKK-related crimes.
Members who were not involved in acts of terrorism would be subject to legal procedures after returning to Türkiye and would be placed under judicial supervision.
The nature of the supervision has not been specified but could resemble existing judicial control measures requiring regular reporting to authorities or restrictions on travel abroad.
Individuals in this category would also benefit from rehabilitation and reintegration programs, including education, vocational training and psychological support.
The report notes that senior members of the organization joined the group at a young age and spent most of their lives in militant hideouts, while lower-ranking members were often recruited as youth who left school before joining the group.
Government ministries and relevant institutions are expected to collaborate in creating rehabilitation programs.
Changes to criminal legislation
For individuals involved in acts of terrorism and those currently serving prison sentences, amendments are being considered to the Turkish Penal Code, the Penal Execution Law and the Counterterrorism Law.
Officials say these amendments would apply specifically to PKK members and would not extend to members of other terrorist organizations such as the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).
A separate law defining PKK membership is also being considered.
If the PKK dissolves, several crimes under counterterrorism legislation, including membership in a terrorist organization, aiding a terrorist organization and conducting propaganda, would cease to apply.
Under existing legislation, PKK members also face additional sentences for attempting to overthrow the constitutional order. Dissolution of the group would end such charges and the related sentences.
Current laws also increase penalties for crimes such as manslaughter or extortion if they are committed by members of a terrorist organization.
If the PKK dissolves, individuals convicted of those offenses would instead be sentenced only for the underlying crimes.
Authorities are also evaluating reductions in prison sentences and the introduction of parole provisions.
Under existing rules, prisoners may qualify for early release after serving two-thirds or three-quarters of their sentences depending on the crime. The new framework could reduce that threshold to half of the sentence in some cases.
Currently, those convicted of terrorism-related crimes are not eligible for parole.
The same procedures would also apply to PKK members in Europe who wish to return to Türkiye, provided they have not been convicted of crimes.
Camps in Iraq
The report also addresses people living in PKK-operated camps in northern Iraq, including the Makhmour camp.
These camps are largely populated by individuals who left Türkiye decades ago and maintained ties with the organization but were not necessarily active militants.
Authorities say residents who were not involved in acts of terrorism could be offered reintegration measures, including identity documents and access to education.
Turkish authorities have detained the mayor of the western resort town of Kuşadası in Aydın province along with several municipal officials and business figures as part of a bribery and extortion investigation led by prosecutors in Istanbul, officials said Friday.
Kuşadası Mayor Ömer Günel, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was among six suspects taken into custody during coordinated police operations carried out early Friday in the provinces of Aydın, Izmir and Antalya, according to information from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation is focused on allegations of bribery and extortion in office related to municipal projects and procurement procedures, prosecutors said.
Those detained also include Kuşadası Municipality Urban Planning Director Ahmet Taşkın and Building Control Director Mustafa Burak Gündeş, along with municipal architect and urban planner Meral Celep and two business figures, Ferdi Zenginoğlu and Hüseyin Kabasakal.
Prosecutors said the investigation was launched after witness and complainant statements, suspect testimonies, phone communication records and financial data were examined as part of the case file.
Authorities said particular attention was given to financial transactions linked to individuals connected with the municipality. Reports prepared by Türkiye’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and reviews of bank account movements were among the evidence evaluated by investigators.
Prosecutors said the findings created what they described as reasonable suspicion that bribery and extortion offenses may have been committed.
As part of the probe, police searched several addresses and seized documents and materials believed to be connected to the investigation. The detained suspects were being transferred to Istanbul for further questioning, officials said.
Investigators are also examining alleged financial links between municipal officials and two business figures, Ali Ertan Yurtsever and Atila Yurtsever, who are associated with Florart Peyzaj Sanayi Ticaret A.Ş., a landscaping company operating in the Kuşadası area.
According to investigators, witness statements suggested that the suspects may have acted as intermediaries in alleged bribery and misconduct involving municipal projects.
Authorities said communication records showed frequent contact between the suspects and the businessmen.
The two businessmen were previously detained and later arrested by a court in Istanbul in connection with the same investigation, according to officials familiar with the case.
The probe also focuses on a landscaping and intersection renovation tender held by the Kuşadası Municipality in September 2020. The project contract, valued at approximately TL 8.85 million (nearly $182,000) including value-added tax, was signed on Oct. 12, 2020, with the winning bidder, Ali Ertan Yurtsever.
Investigators are reviewing financial records and communication data related to the project as part of the broader corruption inquiry.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and could expand as additional evidence is reviewed.
The main opposition CHP is under mounting scrutiny as a wave of corruption, bribery and terrorism-related investigations sweeps across its municipalities.
Authorities say several major investigations are underway into municipalities controlled by the CHP, covering allegations from large-scale tender rigging and bribery to financing terrorist organizations.
The most extensive probe targets the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), led by ousted Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, over claims of systematic corruption, fictitious tenders and abuse of public resources. Prosecutors allege a network, headed by senior municipal officials, rigged numerous public contracts. Imamoğlu and his aides deny all charges.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude to the Turkish people and the Republic of Türkiye for their support and prayers, saying the solidarity shown toward Iran has been a strong source of morale.
Araghchi shared a message in Turkish on the social media platform X, thanking the Turkish nation for its support during a difficult period for Iran.
“The prayers of the brotherly Turkish nation and the solidarity shown by the friendly Republic of Türkiye for the Iranian people are a great source of strength and morale for us,” Araghchi said.
He added that Iran will continue to firmly defend its sovereignty and the security of its people.
Araghchi also expressed hope that justice and peace would ultimately prevail.
Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is set to visit Türkiye on Saturday for talks with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, marking his first official trip abroad since taking office, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
Rahman will meet with Fidan in Ankara to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments, according to the sources.
During the talks, Fidan is expected to welcome the peaceful conduct of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament elections and the July National Charter referendum, expressing hope that the results will contribute to restoring stability and prosperity in the country.
The Turkish minister is also expected to underline the longstanding and historically rooted ties between Türkiye and Bangladesh, voicing confidence that relations between the two countries will continue to deepen during Rahman’s tenure.
Fidan is likely to emphasize Türkiye’s desire to strengthen cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including economic and trade relations, defense industry collaboration, energy, education, culture, science and health.
The discussions are also expected to address efforts to finalize several bilateral agreements currently under negotiation, which Turkish officials say would help reinforce the legal framework underpinning cooperation between the two countries.
Fidan is anticipated to reiterate Ankara’s goal of increasing the bilateral trade volume from its current level of around $1.3 billion to $2 billion in the coming years.
In addition to bilateral matters, the ministers are expected to exchange views on regional and global developments. Fidan is likely to stress the importance of cooperation with Bangladesh in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Developing Eight (D-8) group.
The talks may also touch on recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region, as well as tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with both sides expected to share assessments of the evolving security landscape.
The Turkish minister is also expected to emphasize the need for international actors to intensify efforts to prevent further instability and conflict in the region, while reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to a peaceful and principled approach that calls on all parties to exercise restraint.
The cooperation between Türkiye and Bangladesh could contribute to greater stability and prosperity in South Asia and beyond is also expected to be underlined.
Bilateral ties
Relations between the two countries have gained momentum in recent years. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a brief meeting with Bangladesh’s then-interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus during the D-8 summit in Egypt in December 2024.
Bangladesh’s then-foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain also visited Türkiye in April 2025 for the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and later met with Fidan in Ankara.
According to official data, trade between the two countries reached approximately $1.35 billion in 2025, including $430.6 million in Turkish exports and $926.4 million in imports from Bangladesh.
Bangladesh and Türkiye have had strong diplomatic and trade relations for centuries, dating back to the late 16th century when Ottoman ports established trade links with Bengal.
The Turkish Embassy in Dhaka opened in 1976, and the Embassy of Bangladesh in Ankara opened in 1981.
On Thursday, Bangladesh’s parliament convened for the first time since last month’s elections, which followed the deadly 2024 uprising that plunged the country into political turmoil.
The government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), took over after the Feb. 12 elections from the interim administration that had led the country of 170 million people since August 2024.
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