Internal conflict lingers in the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) after last month’s court verdict for absolute nullification that reinstated Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as the party chair. The ousted leader Özgür Özel and his supporters resist Kılıçdaroğlu’s reign amid rumors of an ultimate split between two camps.

Kılıçdaroğlu and Özel recently came at odds over who will make traditional parliamentary group speech and finally settled to have separate speeches, Özel at the parliament (as parliamentary group chair of the party) and Kılıçdaroğlu at the CHP headquarters. This time, the Özel camp plans to obstruct Kılıçdaroğlu’s attempt to speak at the parliament on Tuesday. The party spokesman Müslim Sarı has announced last week that the reinstated leader would take the pulpit at the parliament on Tuesday while Kılıçdaroğlu sent letters to all lawmakers urging “unity.” Kılıçdaroğlu formally applied to the presidency of the parliament to make his speech but Özel vowed not to allow it. Özel told a newspaper last week that the parliamentary group meeting can only be held if party’s administrative board unanimously approve it or one fifth of the CHP lawmakers consent. The administrative board is dominated by pro-Kılıçdaroğlu figures but majority of CHP lawmakers are sided with Özel.

Kılıçdaroğlu, meanwhile, is scheduled to hold two meetings on Tuesday as well, a convention of the party assembly and the administrative board. The administrative board is expected to issue new decisions for disciplinary action for CHP members siding with the Özel camp. It already launched proceedings with several figures close to Özel, including lawmakers and removed heads of provincial branches who openly declared support to ousted Özel. He is also expected to discuss a petition by the Özel camp for the party to hold an extraordinary convention. Özel is confident to take back his chair through a by-election in the convention and managed to collect signatures from hundreds of delegates for the petition. Kılıçdaroğlu, however, is unwilling to hold a new convention, citing that the party’s appeal to a higher court for overturning the verdict to annul Kılıçdaroğlu’s tenure is still pending. Media outlets reported Özel would also file a lawsuit to take back his chair if Kılıçdaroğlu rejects the idea of a new convention. If the Kılıçdaroğlu administration do not issue approval for a new convention by June 26, the delegates will file a criminal complaint at the court on the grounds of violation of party’s charter.

Özel insists on staying in CHP despite the split between two camps that worsened with resignations and expulsions of pro-Özel figures but he also has plans to establish a new party. Though he called it as “worst-case scenario” sources close to Özel speaking to media outlets say the plans are being developed to that extent and Özel even came up with the name of “March” for his future party. The word is frequently invoked by Özel in his speech who believe that he can lead Türkiye’s oldest party for a “march to power” in the next election, after more than two decades of election defeats to ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).

Rising tensions

Supporters of Özel and Kılıçdaroğlu, in the meantime, continue trading barbs either in public or social media. Tensions between two camps erupted into a brawl on Sunday night when Utku Gümrükçü, appointed by the Kılıçdaroğlu administration for party’s Izmir branch arrived at the building to take office. Pro-Özel groups confronted Gümrükçü and his supporters and held a vigil overnight amid heated arguments with the pro-Kılıçdaroğlu camp. In the early hours of Monday, Gümrükçü finally settled in and hailed taking office “without bloodshed.” “I am not here to fire anyone but certainly, there will be splits in this process. I am willing to work anyone who want to stay,” he told journalists.

Izmir, Türkiye’s third largest city, is also a CHP stronghold and the only metropolitan city AK Party failed to win municipal elections. City’s incumbent mayor Cemil Tugay tendered his resignation from the party last week, in protest of Kılıçdaroğlu’s reinstatement.

Referring to the legal process taking place within the party, Gümrükçü said: “Whether this legal process ultimately produced a correct or incorrect decision is a separate matter for debate. The party leadership that served before the 2023 convention, and that had previously held positions in this party, was reinstated through a court ruling and legal procedures. This can be criticized and discussed. However, court decisions are implemented, and the consequences of that implementation are now lawful. (The Özel camp) repeatedly stated that they did not recognize Kılıçdaroğlu. They questioned our Izmir lawmaker and disciplinary board chairman Mahir Polat’s legitimacy. When I was appointed, they claimed that ‘the Central Executive Board has no authority in this matter, the party Assembly is illegitimate, they cannot dismiss the provincial chairman, I do not recognize them.’ Then they allowed slogans such as ‘Traitor Kemal’ to be chanted against Kılıçdaroğlu.”

Emphasizing that party problems can be resolved internally if the party is strong, if members genuinely feel they belong, and if unity prevails, Gümrükçü said: “The party leadership made such a decision. The process evolved from statements (by the Özel camp) like ‘I won’t meet with Gümrükçü,’ ‘They are more AKP (AK Party) than the AKP,’ and ‘We’ll offer them tea and send them away,’ to a complete refusal to meet. While we were having coffee before, the doors were shut down to us suddenly. Then, in an effort to ease tensions, we sent flowers through party members, but the people delivering them were manhandled and thrown out of the CHP building. There were attempts to block a possible transfer of authority using firefighting equipment, water hoses, and barricades placed at the doors to prevent CHP members from entering the CHP building. Throughout this period, statements were continuously made that escalated tensions.”

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday expressed worries about “the state CHP is in” as the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is embattled with a deepening divide.

Erdoğan addressed a large crowd of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) supporters in Ankara at an event organized by party’s branch in the capital. After listing achievements of governments led by the party which will mark its 25th anniversary in August, Erdoğan complained that the opposition failed the test to serve the public, despite its key gains in the 2024 municipal elections. “They have nothing to offer. You see what they are occupied with,” Erdoğan said, referring to feud between supporters of ousted chair Özgür Özel and reinstated leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. “They don’t have a day spent without fight. This is more than self-harm. They also harm Turkish politics. We solved many problems in the country but we failed to solve the opposition problem which now became chronic,” Erdoğan told fellow members of AK Party.

“We couldn’t teach them to adapt a national stand on topics like foreign policy, defense and fight against terrorism. What we have now is an opposition deficit,” the president added.

The president, who indulged in severe reprimand of the opposition in the past on a wide variety of issues, said it was not right Türkiye’s second biggest party to be associated with infighting. “We wish the opposition would compete with us to serve the nation. We are still searching for a worthy opposition,” Erdoğan said.

At the same event, Erdoğan welcomed Levent Koç, mayor of Ankara’s Haymana district, who formally joined AK Party after resignation from CHP hours earlier.

Since the 2024 municipal elections, 16 mayors from CHP joined AK Party. These include two metropolitan city mayors: Özlem Çerçioğlu of Aydın and Burcu Köksal of Afyonkarahisar. Media reports say more mayors may join AK Party soon, including mayors of three other districts of Ankara. CHP claims they were blackmailed to join the party while mayors deny the reports and often reason their departure from CHP with disputes with the administration led by Özgür Özel. Koç is the first mayor to leave CHP for AK Party after Özel was ousted from office with a court verdict, in the wake of allegations of vote-buying in a 2023 intra-party election where he defeated Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Kılıçdaroğlu was reinstated to office last month.

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Türkiye is in a special position to help bring the facts about Sudan’s conflict to the international agenda because of its relations with both the Muslim world and NATO countries, a senior Sudanese official said.

Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, political and foreign affairs adviser to the chairman of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Ankara’s support for Sudan reflects the historical ties between the two countries, but Khartoum expects further engagement.

“The support Sudan has received from Türkiye has been a reflection of the historical bonds between the two countries, but we expect more,” Eltayeb said.

He noted that Türkiye’s diplomatic reach gives it a unique role in helping clarify the nature of the conflict in Sudan and the threats facing the country.

Sudan has entered its fourth year of civil war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a conflict that has led to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Eltayeb said the RSF, should be recognized internationally as a “terrorist organization,” arguing that the conflict can no longer be described as a war between two political sides or two generals.

He said the conflict has become an attack on Sudan’s sovereignty, describing the RSF as a “barbaric militia” that has committed crimes unprecedented in Sudan’s modern history.

Eltayeb also accused some regional actors of supporting the RSF, saying the war has evolved into a proxy conflict.

“This crisis did not emerge as a result of an earthquake, fire or natural disaster. This is a crime committed by criminals. It is not possible to resolve the humanitarian crisis without pointing to those criminals,” he stressed.

Eltayeb said recognizing the RSF as a terrorist organization should be a universal approach, and that such a step would narrow the room for maneuver of actors that support the group and contribute to prolonging the war.

He underlined that the RSF’s activities pose a threat not only to Sudan, but also to the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea basin, the Great Lakes region and the Sahel.

Proxy war

Eltayeb noted the conflict began with internal political disputes but later turned into a proxy war, with some actors seeking to pursue their own agendas in Sudan through the RSF and other political groups.

He said the international community has not sufficiently listened to the Sudanese people, and recent warnings by the UN Security Council have not been enough to change the situation on the ground.

Eltayeb also criticized what he called the selective application of international law, saying some countries have not faced sufficient criticism despite violating UN Security Council resolutions.

He said the Sudanese state must be supported against what he called the greatest existential threat facing the country, adding that preserving state institutions is also critical for regional stability.

Territorial integrity

Eltayeb said Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity are important not only for the country itself, but also for the region and Europe, warning that the collapse of the state could leave millions of people at risk of statelessness.

He emphasized the Sudanese people want to live in their own country, noting that returns have begun in areas where government forces have restored control.

Eltayeb said the Sudanese people’s priority is to protect state institutions and restore security and stability, stressing that a democratic transition can begin only after those goals are achieved.

Sudan has experience with democracy, he said, adding that the people are capable of determining their own political future.

Eltayeb said Sudan would welcome support from the international community, but international initiatives should be carried out with the participation of Sudanese people and in line with their demands.

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The Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) faces new scrutiny as Justice Minister Akın Gürlek recently announced that they renewed extradition requests for members of the group across the world.

Among the fugitives are top figures of FETÖ, who played key roles in the group’s conspiracies in Türkiye in the past.

The extradition request list covers prime suspects in cases related to FETÖ in Türkiye, from a network of infiltrators in the Turkish National Police to a case regarding a business body linked to the terrorist group.

Abdullah Aymaz is among the fugitives and resides in the United States, where FETÖ’s leader Fetullah Gülen lived for years before his death in 204. He is a member of the group’s highest decision-making body, also known as the “Consultation Council.” He was one of the founders of FETÖ in the 1970s.

Considered one of the few senior figures who could potentially succeed Gülen as the head of the group, Aymaz was first the subject of an extradition request from Germany. However, Germany granted him German citizenship, providing him with protection. In 2024, he left for the United States.

Former prosecutor Zekeriya Öz, who was an influential name in FETÖ’s judicial plots, is another fugitive wanted on charges of attempting to overthrow the government and leading an armed terrorist group.

Öz, who is accused of orchestrating conspiracies against figures such as former police chief Hanefi Avcı and journalist Nedim Şener that led to their imprisonment on fabricated evidence, fled Türkiye for Georgia in the company of another prosecutor linked to FETÖ. He later settled in Germany and is now reportedly residing in the United States.

Osman Hilmi Özdil, known within the organization by the code name “Kozanlı Ömer,” allegedly directed the entire network of police supervisors and officers affiliated with FETÖ. One of the group’s most exposed figures, with extensive evidence reportedly gathered against him, Özdil is accused of relaying all information related to the notorious Ergenekon investigations to FETÖ and organizing the theft of military high school examination questions, to help the infiltration of FETÖ members into the army. In 2007, he was stopped by FBI agents in the United States for a separate investigation.

Mustafa Muhammet Günay, Secretary General of TUSKON, FETÖ’s business network and fundraising structure, is described as one of the leading figures in FETÖ’s financial operations. Acting on instructions from Gülen, he allegedly directed the transfer of millions of lira to FETÖ-linked lender Bank Asya. Intelligence sources found out that Günay first moved to the U.S. and in 2020, left this country for Belgium. Türkiye has updated its extradition request to Belgian authorities, where he is wanted on charges including aggravated embezzlement and espionage.

Talip Büyük, who led FETÖ’s network in Northern Iraq and the wider Middle East, is also on the extradition list. A key figure in the group’s global financing network, Büyük was also in charge of military infiltrators at now-defunct Kuleli Military High School.

Through his aides infiltrated into the high school as officers, Büyük is accused of coordinating the removal of hundreds of military cadets through pressure, disciplinary tactics and false reports, replacing them with loyalists of FETÖ. He first fled to the United Kingdom and when Türkiye sought his extradition from that country, he left for the United States.

Abdülkadir Tunç, another top figure in FETÖ’s secretive military network, is also sought by Türkiye, which sent an extradition request to Algeria, where he is believed to have taken refuge.

Turgut Karabulut, who led the group’s network in Mongolia, is also on the list. Türkiye recently updated the extradition case file for Karabulut and submitted it to the authorities in the United States, where he resides.

Numan Erdoğan, who allegedly served as FETÖ’s leader in Afghanistan, moved between the United States and Canada as he was sought by Türkiye. Canada previously declined to extradite him and when Türkiye found out that he resettled in the United States, authorities sent an extradition request to Washington, D.C.

Fatih Gürsoy, identified as FETÖ’s top figure in Romania, allegedly managed one of the group’s most strategic logistical hubs in Eastern Europe. As a senior administrator of the Lumina educational institutions, which authorities describe as a front organization, Gürsoy is accused of directing financial operations and recruitment activities for FETÖ. Although the Bucharest Court of Appeal rejected Türkiye’s extradition request, Ankara continues to pursue legal action and has submitted updated evidence concerning alleged international money laundering activities by Gürsoy to Romanian authorities.

Mehmet Yaşa, who has held top positions in the group since 1994, is described as one of FETÖ’s senior leaders. Wanted by the Antalya 2nd High Criminal Court on charges of establishing and leading an armed terrorist organization, Yaşa reportedly fled to the United States shortly after the failed coup attempt of FETÖ in 2016. The Ministry of Justice has submitted updated evidence to U.S. authorities concerning his alleged financial activities, including money transfers through university foundations and related organizations.

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The Middle Corridor has become the backbone of the Turkic world’s independence, security and prosperity, Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Council of Elders Chairman Binali Yıldırım said on Monday, calling for deeper economic integration, digital transformation and stronger cybersecurity cooperation among member states.

Speaking at the 19th Meeting of the OTS Council of Elders in Almaty, Yıldırım highlighted the strategic importance of transportation networks, artificial intelligence and digital technologies for the future of the Turkic world.

“The Middle Corridor is not merely a logistics route; it is the backbone of the Turkic world’s independence, security and prosperity,” Yıldırım said.

Yıldırım praised Kazakhstan’s recent economic and political achievements, saying the country had emerged as one of Eurasia’s leading states under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He also commended Astana’s contributions to the development of the OTS and efforts to strengthen integration among Turkic nations.

Emphasizing the growing role of technology in shaping global competitiveness, Yıldırım said countries that successfully adapt to digital transformation, innovation, artificial intelligence and sustainable development would be better positioned in the future.

He recalled that leaders of Turkic states adopted key decisions on artificial intelligence and digital technologies during the informal OTS summit held in Turkistan in May 2025.

Economic cooperation remains one of the organization’s top priorities, Yıldırım said, noting that the combined economies of Turkic states rank among the world’s largest and represent a major source of energy supplies.

Trade among OTS members has risen significantly in recent years, reaching approximately $77 billion, or 7% of total trade among member states, up from around $48 billion and 3% just a few years ago. However, Yıldırım said the figure remained below the bloc’s potential.

“Our goal is to increase this share to 20% as soon as possible,” he said.

Yıldırım pointed to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement signed at the Bishkek Summit, the activities of the Turkic Investment Fund and new financial mechanisms as key tools for boosting regional trade and investment.

He also urged member states to accelerate the ratification of transportation agreements signed at the Samarkand Summit and expand the use of digital customs and transit systems to reduce costs and improve efficiency along the Middle Corridor.

According to Yıldırım, the geopolitical shifts triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war have increased the strategic value of Central Asia, while initiatives such as the Zangezur Corridor and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project could further strengthen the region’s role in global supply chains.

He said integrating artificial intelligence into transportation and customs systems would help create predictive logistics networks, automated risk management systems and smoother border procedures.

Addressing cybersecurity, Yıldırım said digital threats had become a matter of national security, noting that state borders are no longer limited to land, air and sea domains.

He voiced support for Kazakhstan’s proposal to establish a OTS Cybersecurity Council and called for the swift signing of a memorandum on cybersecurity cooperation among member states.

Yıldırım also reiterated support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), describing it as an inseparable part of the Turkic world and emphasizing the strategic importance of solidarity with the island’s Turkish Cypriot administration.

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“Climate, Water, Food and Security” was the theme of the first edition of Erciyes Summit held in the central Turkish province of Kayseri this week. As experts and policymakers highlighted that climate change, water scarcity and food insecurity evolved into national security challenges, Türkiye’s role was also under the spotlight to counter these risks.

Türkiye’s growing geopolitical influence provides leverage to the country in environmental diplomacy and food security, especially in its region, beset with multiple crises and conflicts.

In an interview with Daily Sabah, Nabil Gangi, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Sub-Regional Coordinator for Central Asia and Representative in Türkiye ad interim, highlighted the nation’s unique strategic advantages as it prepares to host the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP31).

Gangi expressed strong confidence in Türkiye’s capacity to lead the upcoming summit, pointing to the country’s domestic milestones and regional depth. He said Türkiye was “the right place” to host the summit.

“With its strategic vision, with its Central Asian depth, and the capacity that it has through Mr. Murat Kurum (Minister of Environment, Urban Planning and Climate Change) and basically the entire ministry around it, we have a very strong capacity that would enable Türkiye to shine globally. Türkiye has been addressing issues that are at the core of the COP31 and climate change, whether it is land degradation, water scarcity, agriculture, resilience, sustainability. All these things basically have been at the core of the strategic plan of Türkiye. So what Türkiye has been learning and applying over the past few years is an excellent example to share globally,” he said. He noted that Türkiye was both learning and teaching and thus would be an excellent host for COP31.

In November, Türkiye will host COP31 for the first time, with participation expected to exceed 100,000 attendees. The summit in the southern province of Antalya is set to position the country as an active implementation partner in global climate governance, supported by both on-the-ground operations and integrated digital coordination systems. It is expected to focus heavily on climate adaptation, financing and implementation of commitments made under the Paris Agreement.

A COP31 Trust Fund initiative led by Murat Kurum is expected to mobilize financial resources for innovative climate solutions and accelerate implementation pipelines across sectors.

Speaking at the opening session of the Erciyes Summit, Minister Kurum said climate change is no longer solely an environmental issue but a challenge affecting economies, societies and national stability. “Drought has become a global issue,” Kurum said, noting that declining water resources are affecting agricultural productivity, drinking water security and industrial output. He warned that pressure on water resources directly affects food production and could ultimately create broader security concerns. “When water weakens, production weakens. When production weakens, pressure on food supplies increases. As food pressure rises, social stability and public security are affected at their roots,” Kurum said.

Food hub

Türkiye also emerged as a critical actor, providing a diplomatic and logistical lifeline in a region embroiled in turmoil and associated humanitarian crises. Most notably, Ankara was behind Black Sea Grain Initiative for safe shipping of grain at the height of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Reflecting on Türkiye’s role, Gangi suggested that Türkiye could serve as a permanent food security hub, especially for the eastern Mediterranean.

“The Black Sea corridor was instrumental in breaking a big obstacle that was faced around the world, basically causing immense damage, hunger, even civil unrest that reached up to even Sri Lanka even, among other several other countries, the Middle East and so forth. Türkiye has played a very strong role in allowing this grain to pass through its initiative. I believe Türkiye has got a very strong clout regionally, and indeed, globally, because its strategic vision doesn’t only (focus on) Europe but also (on Central Asia),” Gangi said.

Gangi stated that Türkiye had “excellent relations with Central Asian countries” as well as advancing ties with key Arab countries in the region. “All this could be used for breaking some impasses that are leading to a food crisis, whether in Gaza or in Lebanon.”

He highlighted that political might and renewed strategic alliances with key countries in the region gave Türkiye a very strong position to break the obstacles and help overcome food insecurity.

Gangi said that FAO looked to Türkiye as it did to other global and regional players, to set the ground politically for the organization to carry out technical work on the ground. Responding to a question regarding the situation in Gaza, where attacks on agricultural systems and water by Israel, despite the cease-fire and how FAO and Türkiye can work together to rebuild the food systems on the ground, Gangi said FAO would continue to work with farmers and producers in Gaza as much as it can, and it basically needed a political environment to do so.

Aid funding

FAO and similar organizations are among those affected by funding cuts in recent years, especially by the United States, which has been a major contributor to organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP). Answering a question on the matter, Gangi said funding overseas developments have seen changes recently and they had to adapt to this change. “In the past, the main funding partners were countries, overseas development agencies of those countries. Today, at least for FAO, one of the biggest donations are through the Green Climate Fund and other multilateral funds,” he said.

“We have to adapt to this. They come with particular requirements and we need to sort of understand more and more the requirements. New administrations, particularly across the Atlantic, come with particular needs and demands of how they see their contribution to the overseas, whether on a humanitarian or in development. We engaged with different administrations, the EU, with the United States, with different administrations to see how we can adapt to the funding mechanisms and the priorities that they deem for themselves as donor partners in the different parts of the world. I think we need, we all need to do that,” he said.

Gangi underlined that climate change was no longer a “scientific phenomenon” and was something “felt and seen,” adding that it was much more than rise of the temperatures or water scarcity.

“Water could be scarce tomorrow and could be in abundance after tomorrow. So the issue is the predictability. And the predictability is what we try to help farmers face,” he said. He acknowledged that uncertainty was nothing new for farmers who have been challenged by weather changes, but they were focusing on helping them by changing the way they think.

“We see patterns of cultivation, of irrigation changing. So we are doing the same, but it is (more) based on adapting to what our scientific evidence is showing us today.

On a question about his thoughts on the international community’s increasing investment in high-end technology like artificial intelligence and chips instead of investment in seeds, Gangi said the world needed seeds like it needed land to sow them upon.

“When the land is degraded, when the seeds are no longer resilient, then we need scientific innovation in order for us to make a resilient seed and a fertile land that would grow the food. And how this food basically, how we manufacture this food, not only to respond to food security, but nutrition as well,” he said.