Politics
President Erdoğan warns Israel pushing region toward disaster
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday slammed Israel’s leadership for acting with a sense of superiority and warned that its actions are dragging the region step by step toward a broader disaster.
“We all know that the attacks targeting Gaza first, then Yemen and Lebanon, and most recently Iran, are not solely motivated by security concerns,” Erdoğan said at an iftar event with journalists at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara.
Erdoğan said the global system established after World War II is undergoing a historic rupture, stressing the need to convey the realities on the ground to the international community. He said a destructive war led by Israel is currently unfolding in the region, where innocent children are being killed in schools and civilians are being forced to flee lands they have inhabited for centuries.
Erdoğan also criticized Israel for arbitrarily closing Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshippers for 17 days, despite having no legitimate authority to do so. He said Israel’s attacks targeting Gaza, followed by Yemen, Lebanon and most recently Iran, go beyond security concerns.
He added that simultaneous narratives ranging from the idea of “promised lands” to apocalyptic scenarios being brought into public discourse are not coincidental, suggesting a broader ideological agenda behind the attacks.
Erdoğan warned that a network that sees itself as superior to others is dragging the region step by step toward disaster, stressing the importance of raising global awareness about what he described as “barbarity” and a “state of madness.”
He emphasized that Türkiye, as a country with global influence, must expand its outreach beyond its borders and strengthen its presence in international media to ensure these realities are heard worldwide.
Referring to U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, Erdoğan said Türkiye’s goal is to ensure that what he described as a “senseless, unlawful and deeply wrong war” comes to an end as soon as possible. He added that Türkiye has consistently voiced its opposition to attacks that clearly violate international law, regardless of the perpetrator, while making intensive efforts to prevent further escalation.
The U.S. and Israel have continued a joint offensive on Iran since Feb. 28, killing so far more than 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, which it says are targeting “U.S. military assets,” causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
Israeli forces also intensified airstrikes and artillery shelling across southern Lebanon since early Tuesday, alongside a limited ground incursion, according to the Lebanese army and state media.
Türkiye’s top political leaders have outlined their schedules for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday following Islam’s holy month of Ramadan, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan set to spend the period in the northeastern province of Rize, according to information compiled by Anadolu Agency (AA).
According to the AA report, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş is expected to remain in Istanbul during the holiday, while Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz will stay in Ankara.
Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel will celebrate Eid with his family in his hometown of Manisa. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli is set to remain in Ankara, where he will visit the grave of the party’s founder, Alparslan Türkeş, on the first day of the holiday.
Good Party (IP) leader Müsavat Dervişoğlu is also expected to stay in Ankara.
Leaders of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, will attend Nevruz-related events in Istanbul, Diyarbakır and Van during the holiday period.
Other party leaders will mark the holiday in various locations across the country, including Fatih Erbakan of the New Welfare Party in Istanbul, Mustafa Destici of the Great Unity Party in Eskişehir and Ankara, and Ali Babacan of the DEVA Party in Ankara.
Former Prime Minister and Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu is expected to be in Istanbul, while Democratic Party (DP) leader Gültekin Uysal will spend the holiday with his family in Afyonkarahisar. Felicity Party (SP) leader Mahmut Arıkan will be in Kayseri, and Free Cause Party (HÜDA PAR) leader Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu in Batman.
Patriotic Party (VP) leader Doğu Perinçek will also mark Eid in Istanbul, while Key Party (AP) leader Yavuz Ağıralioğlu is expected to remain in Ankara, where he will host party members at the headquarters on the third day of the holiday.
No date has been set for a new round of Ukraine-Russia peace talks, a source close to Turkish political circles told TASS on Monday, though Türkiye remains ready to host negotiations if all parties agree.
“There is currently no information regarding any potential dates. There is also no information whether detailed contacts are currently underway regarding this issue,” the source stated in response to a question whether the negotiations were possible in March.
He added that Türkiye was always “open to all initiatives and will organize negotiations if all of the involved parties are inclined.”
Türkiye continues to press its diplomatic role in the Russia‑Ukraine war, offering to host and support peace negotiations while emphasizing its backing for a negotiated settlement and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Turkish leaders have repeatedly reaffirmed Ankara’s readiness to host further rounds of talks and even a leaders‑level summit in Istanbul, building on earlier rounds where direct negotiations and prisoner exchanges were facilitated under Turkish auspices.
Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated earlier that the parties involved in negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict settlement viewed Istanbul as a possible negotiating platform.
According to him, “the Istanbul option exists, and all of the involved parties are very positive about it.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week said Türkiye is prepared to host an upcoming trilateral peace round with Ukraine, Russia and the United States, reflecting Kyiv’s appreciation for Ankara’s initiative.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by phone with Zelenskyy on Wednesday, noting that regional tensions such as the Iran conflict should not derail efforts to end the Ukraine war and reiterating Ankara’s commitment to diplomatic channels.
Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan have recently stressed Türkiye’s willingness to support peace efforts “at every step” and to host both delegations for negotiations, underlining a consistent push for a cease‑fire and political solution.
While Moscow’s and Kyiv’s positions differ, Türkiye maintains that sustained dialogue and diplomacy are essential to end the conflict and mitigate its humanitarian toll.
Turkish prosecutors have uncovered alleged financial irregularities linked to a foundation associated with jailed Mayor Tanju Özcan of the northwestern Turkish city Bolu, revealing that only about 10% of the TL 116.8 million ($3.6 million) was distributed as student scholarships, according to judicial sources.
An investigation led by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office found that between 2024 and 2025, a total of TL 116.8 million was raised through donations, advertising revenues and rental income by the Bolu Seviyorum Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation (BOLSEV) and its affiliated company.
However, records included in the case file show that only TL 11.9 million, roughly 10% of the total income, was allocated for student scholarships during the same period.
Prosecutors said bank data indicated that as of Dec. 31, 2025, approximately TL 10.8 million remained in the accounts of the foundation and its linked company, raising questions about the whereabouts of more than TL 100 million.
Investigators suspect that a significant portion of the funds may have been diverted through questionable accounting practices, including allegedly fictitious invoices and inflated expenditure items, according to information obtained from judicial authorities.
The probe also highlighted inconsistencies in the operations of the affiliated company, BOLSEV Education and Aid Trade Inc., which was reportedly established to generate revenue for the foundation. Despite recording a total income of more than TL 66 million, including projected future earnings and net profits, the company allegedly failed to transfer any funds to the foundation.
Further irregularities cited in the investigation include gaps in the board decision ledger and conflicting records involving assets such as LED screens, which were reportedly subject to both rental and sale decisions despite not being present in the company’s inventory.
Judicial assessments in the case file suggest that the scholarship program may have been used as a facade to attract donations, though authorities emphasized that the legal characterization of the allegations will be determined as the investigation progresses.
The prosecutor’s office has expanded the inquiry to examine financial transactions between the foundation and the company in greater detail, focusing on the flow of funds and the legitimacy of recorded expenses.
Officials said the case remains ongoing, with further findings expected to clarify the scope and legal implications of the alleged misconduct.
Recently, on March 2, authorities said, Özcan and his deputy were arrested in an investigation into alleged extortion by coercion.
Following his arrest, the Interior Ministry said Özcan had been suspended from office as a temporary measure under Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipal Law No. 5393, in a statement issued on March 3.
CHP-run municipalities across Türkiye are mired in corruption allegations. Most cases have been in Istanbul. The city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoğlu, was arrested in March 2025 in a wide-ranging probe where he is accused of running a criminal network thriving on bribes and tender-rigging.
Türkiye on Monday strongly condemned Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon, warning that the move risks deepening regional instability and triggering a new humanitarian disaster.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said it “strongly condemns Israel’s ground offensive against Lebanon, which will further deepen instability in the region.”
The ministry said the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to implement “genocide and collective punishment policies” in Lebanon, similar to actions previously carried out elsewhere, and warned that the escalation could lead to a new humanitarian catastrophe in the region.
The statement also reiterated Türkiye’s solidarity with Lebanon in the face of attacks that violate the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ankara emphasized that such military actions threaten not only Lebanon’s stability but also the fragile security balance across the Middle East.
Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is intensifying efforts to mobilize supporters for a planned rally in Istanbul on March 18, notably the first anniversary of unrest that followed the arrest of former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, as the party grapples with mounting legal challenges and a deepening internal power struggle.
Party headquarters has instructed provincial branches, lawmakers and mayors to ensure a strong presence at the demonstration in Saraçhane, with local organizations told to transport as many members as possible to the rally site, according to a report in the Sabah newspaper citing party sources.
The push comes after criticism over low turnout at recent hearings in Silivri tied to corruption charges against Imamoğlu. Limited participation by lawmakers and party members, despite repeated calls, has fueled internal debate and claims that parts of the party base are distancing themselves from the former mayor.
Against that backdrop, the leadership has tightened coordination ahead of the rally, in what is widely seen as an effort to reassert control over the party’s base and project unity.
According to party sources, officials across Türkiye were told to attend the gathering without exception, while provincial branches were instructed to organize transportation. Announcements from local offices in provinces such as Manisa and Düzce confirmed that buses would be arranged from multiple districts, with similar calls issued in cities including Giresun, Sivas and Karabük.
The party has also urged members to promote the rally on social media, while reports suggest that public events, including concerts, may be organized to draw broader participation.
The rally is meant to mark the anniversary of protests that erupted in March 2025 following Imamoğlu’s detention and arrest on corruption charges. Those demonstrations, which the CHP had encouraged supporters to join, escalated into unrest in Istanbul, with clashes between protesters and police.
More than 120 police officers were injured, and over 1,100 suspects were detained during unauthorized demonstrations between March 19 and 23. Authorities said some participants were linked to marginal or extremist groups and had confronted riot police while violating bans on public gatherings.
Some of those groups were also reported to have taken part in the 2013 Gezi Park riots and were later seen at CHP-linked gatherings in Saraçhane, where tensions flared as security forces moved to disperse unauthorized crowds.
The latest mobilization also unfolds against the backdrop of an ongoing internal struggle within the CHP following its 2023 election defeat. Party leader Özgür Özel replaced longtime leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu after the loss, but divisions between Özel’s camp and Kılıçdaroğlu loyalists have persisted.
The dispute has extended into the courts, where a case was filed by expelled party members seeking to annul the 2023 party congress that brought Özel to power. The plaintiffs in the case, cancelled due to a lack of legal standing in November, alleged that some delegates were bribed to support Özel, claims that have further deepened mistrust within the party.
During hearings in the case last year, Özel warned that he could call for mass protests that would “bring life to a standstill” if there were attempts to remove him through judicial means, framing the proceedings as politically motivated.
Meanwhile, the CHP is contending with multiple corruption investigations involving senior figures.
In Istanbul, a major trial involving Imamoğlu and more than 400 defendants resumed this week, with prosecutors accusing the former mayor of leading a criminal network tied to municipal contracts, including allegations of bribery, bid-rigging and fraud. If he is convicted on all charges, Imamoğlu is facing up to 2,400 years in prison.
Separately, Antalya Mayor Muhittin Böcek appeared in court on Monday alongside dozens of co-defendants in a corruption and bribery case, while Kuşadası Mayor Ömer Günel was arrested on similar charges.
The party’s repeated efforts to mobilize supporters have also drawn attention. Since Imamoğlu’s detention, Özel has held dozens of rallies across the country, though participation has reportedly declined over time. Previous attempts to bolster turnout have included organized transport from neighboring provinces, such as a recent rally in Yalova, where dozens of buses and minibuses were used to bring attendees.
With legal proceedings unfolding on multiple fronts, internal divisions unresolved and turnout concerns lingering, the March 18 rally is expected to test the CHP’s ability to consolidate its base.
Defense Minister Yaşar Güler met with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in Rome on an official visit on Monday, as the two NATO allies discussed the regional and global developments.
According to a statement from Türkiye’s Defense Ministry, Güler traveled to Italy at Crosetto’s invitation, accompanied by Chief of the General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.
He was welcomed with a military ceremony upon arrival in Rome, where Italian military officials and Turkish diplomatic representatives, including Ambassador to Rome Elif Çomoğlu Ülgen, were present.
Following the ceremony, Güler and Crosetto held a one-on-one meeting before leading broader talks between their delegations. Bayraktaroğlu also attended the expanded discussions.
The meetings come as Türkiye and Italy continue to strengthen defense ties within NATO, amid ongoing regional and global security challenges.
No further details were immediately provided regarding the outcomes of the talks.
Türkiye and Italy have maintained close cooperation in defense and security, including joint efforts within NATO missions and collaboration in the defense industry.
The visit underscores ongoing high-level contacts between the two countries aimed at enhancing military coordination and strategic partnership.
Recently, earlier this month, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni conveyed Italy’s support for Türkiye after Turkish authorities announced that a ballistic missile launched from Iran was intercepted.
Meloni expressed solidarity with Türkiye during a phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as the two leaders discussed escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Italian prime minister’s office said in a statement.
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