Politics
Syria cease-fire may be extended: FM Fidan
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the cease-fire between the Syrian army and the YPG/PKK-linked Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expires on Saturday and an extension may be needed amid the current situation, as he highlighted Türkiye’s determination to support regional and international peace efforts.
Speaking on a live broadcast on NTV news channel, Fidan said Friday that the four-day cease-fire between the Syrian regime and the SDF remains fragile and may need to be extended due to ongoing security concerns, including the planned transfer of Daesh detainees from Syria to Iraq.
“We’re in the middle of the four-day cease-fire between the Syrian army and the SDF. The situation on the ground is fragile,” Fidan told reporters, noting that multiple developments led to the current truce.
“There is now talk of extending the cease-fire. There is active diplomatic traffic, and we are involved. We don’t want to see any fighting. I hope this will lead to a positive peace process.”
Asked what would happen if no agreement is reached and whether Damascus could launch operations in Ain al-Arab, Qamishli or Hassakeh, Fidan said: “I hope there will be a serious will to solve this through dialogue.”
Fidan also addressed the rapid collapse of the SDF in recent weeks, saying the outcome was expected. “It honestly wasn’t a surprise to me,” he said. “We have long understood the dynamics in Arab-majority areas occupied by the YPG. We knew the tribal structure well and were aware of how and when these tribes could rise up.”
Fidan said Friday that the recent collapse of YPG-held positions in Arab-majority areas of Syria did not come as a surprise, stressing that Ankara has long understood the tribal dynamics that shape the region.
“It honestly wasn’t a surprise to me,” Fidan said. “We knew very well the dynamics in Arab-majority areas occupied by the YPG. For years, we have studied the tribal structure and understood how and when these tribes could rise up.”
Asked whether the terrorist PKK influence in Syria could come to an end, Fidan said the organization’s Syrian structure remains directly controlled by terrorist leadership.
“Mazloum Abdi is only a message carrier who follows the instructions given to him,” he said. “The KCK tells the YPG to enter politics and they do. They are fully tied to Qandil. Non-Syrian PKK members must leave the region. The PKK presence in Sinjar is not sustainable. The organization must transform itself before it faces destruction.”
Fidan also criticized the SDF leadership for ignoring Ankara’s warnings. “The SDF is not listening to any message coming from Ankara,” he said. “They should not allow themselves to be used as instruments for others’ agendas.”
Türkiye remains deeply engaged in efforts to stabilize Gaza, advance the newly formed Peace Board’s work and manage rising tensions across the region, while warning that major-power uncertainty has underscored the importance of cooperation among “middle powers.”
Speaking to reporters on a wide range of regional issues, Fidan said the SDF was ignoring all messages from Ankara and cautioned that the group should not allow itself to become an instrument of external agendas.
Peace Board and Gaza efforts
Fidan outlined how the newly established Peace Board will operate in Gaza, saying two committees have been formed: one responsible for supporting Gaza’s national administration, and a second tasked with the secretariat functions.
“Gaza is our urgent priority. We are just at the beginning,” Fidan said, noting that the Rafah crossing could reopen next week. He said Türkiye continues uninterrupted humanitarian operations through the Turkish Red Crescent, but warned that living conditions remain dire in the cold winter weather. “They are forced to live in tents. Now the issue is transporting containers,” he added.
The minister said additional member states are expected to join the Peace Board, with six or seven countries currently in talks. “We may settle at around 25-30 members. Our work in Gaza will not be easy; in fact, a new phase of struggle is beginning,” he said.
Possibility of Turkish troops in Gaza
Asked whether Türkiye would send troops to Gaza, Fidan said Ankara maintains a clear position despite Israeli objections.
“Israel opposes anything related to us, but our efforts will continue. If the necessary conditions emerge, we have the will to provide military support,” he said.
Fidan said Hamas’ disarmament is a topic that must be addressed within the broader roadmap. “Our number-one priority is ensuring that the population of Gaza remains in Gaza,” he stressed.
Middle powers and the shifting global order
Responding to remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that the rules-based order is weakening, Fidan said major powers have entered a period of uncertainty that increases the responsibilities of mid-level states.
“Major powers have stepped into an area of ambiguity. In this void, solidarity among middle powers is extremely important,” he said. “Middle powers are still trying to discover how to maintain this line. Our president has been warning of this collapse for a long time. It is interesting that Canada is only now saying this.”
Fidan also said Türkiye favors the creation of a broad, inclusive regional alliance.
“The wider the participation, the better. But if needed, a core group can start the process. Our region needs such a beginning. We want to establish an alliance that reduces polarization,” he said.
Commenting on Washington’s renewed attention to Greenland, Fidan said the U.S. strategic interest in the island was not new.
“America’s ambition regarding this is no secret. The question is how it should be handled. Under Trump, there was a clear push. Any territorial loss of this kind would lead to the collapse of the alliance,” he said.
Iran protests and rising tensions
Fidan also addressed the unrest in Iran, saying the country is experiencing severe economic hardship that fuels public anger, though such discontent should not automatically be interpreted as direct opposition to the regime.
“The protests are genuine, but they will not lead to what some outsiders expect,” he said. “We as people of this region do not want a new war.”
Fidan recalled intense diplomatic phone traffic on the night rumors circulated that the United States might intervene militarily in Iran. “I hope Iran finds a way forward,” he said, warning that there are signs Israel may be exploring options to strike Iran.
Türkiye on Thursday expressed concern over an attack on a Turkish-operated oil tanker in the Black Sea, warning the incident poses serious risks to maritime safety and could signal a dangerous expansion of regional conflict.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Öncü Keçeli said the vessel, identified as the Altura, a Sierra Leone-flagged tanker carrying crude oil and operated by a Turkish company, was targeted earlier in the day in the Black Sea.
He confirmed that all 27 Turkish crew members on board are safe, while technical inspections and response measures are ongoing following the incident.
Keçeli noted that the attack took place within Türkiye’s exclusive economic zone and constituted a violation of international law, as he raised concerns over the safety of navigation, environmental security and the protection of life and property in the region.
He warned that such incidents heighten the risk of the conflict spreading further into the Black Sea, stressing the need to prevent escalation.
The foreign ministry spokesman said Ankara is maintaining diplomatic contacts with relevant parties and emphasized that it reserves the right to take necessary measures under international law to safeguard its economic interests and activities in the region.
The Sierra Leone-flagged vessel had departed from Russia’s port of Novorossiysk carrying crude oil, according to ship-tracking data.
In December, Türkiye witnessed a series of security incidents linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warning against the Black Sea becoming an “area of confrontation” between the warring parties.
Türkiye, whose northern shore faces Ukraine and annexed Crimea, has maintained close ties with both Kyiv and Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that ongoing conflicts will impose growing costs on the entire world if they are not brought to an end, stressing that geography will offer no protection from the consequences of war.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum Türkiye Country Strategy Meeting held at the Dolmabahçe Presidential Office in Istanbul, Erdoğan said the burden of ongoing conflicts is being felt far beyond the immediate region.
“If conflicts do not end, the price to be paid will only grow. Geographical distance will have no meaning in this process,” Erdoğan said.
He emphasized that while opportunities exist to reach common ground through diplomacy and dialogue, sabotaging these efforts forces all of humanity to bear the consequences.
Erdoğan described the war that has shaken the region for the past month as “meaningless, unlawful and unnecessary,” adding that its cost is being borne not only by the parties involved but by the entire global community.
He noted that the negative effects of war are already being felt worldwide, from energy markets to production, information systems, transportation and trade networks.
The meeting brought together senior Turkish officials, including Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, along with global CEOs, international financial representatives and major fund managers.
Later, Erdoğan held a closed-door meeting with Laurence Douglas Fink, head of World Economic Forum and BlackRock, at the Dolmabahçe office.
All necessary measures have been implemented along the Türkiye-Iran border amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the U.S. and Israel, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said Wednesday, stressing that authorities see no immediate security concerns.
Speaking to reporters at the Gürbulak border crossing in the eastern province of Ağrı, Çiftçi noted that Turkish officials had reviewed contingency plans in response to the war across the border, which has been ongoing since Feb. 28. “I can clearly state that all planning and precautions have been taken here. There is no problem at the moment,” he said.
Çiftçi visited the region as part of a series of inspections, including stops at a migrant repatriation center operated by the provincial migration authority and the Sarısu Border Trade Center near the frontier. He later traveled to the Doğubayazıt district, where he received briefings from local officials, including Governor Önder Bozkurt and District Governor Murat Ekinci.
The minister said authorities had assessed potential spillover effects of the conflict and were closely monitoring developments on the Iranian side of the border, noting that the duration and outcome of the war remain uncertain.
During his visit, Çiftçi also expressed condolences for two Turkish soldiers killed in a military vehicle accident in Doğubayazıt, identified as transportation specialist Sgt. Selman Akarsel and infantry specialist Sgt. Yusuf Açay.
He said Türkiye hopes the conflict will end soon, allowing for a return to stability in the region.
Sharing a border of 560 kilometers (348 miles) with Iran, Türkiye is naturally vigilant over the impact of the ongoing conflict between the U.S.-Iran alliance and Iran.
Çiftçi also chaired a border security meeting earlier this month on the issue, discussing top-level protection of the borders, additional measures against the possible influx of irregular migrants, crisis scenarios, emergency action plans and better coordination between different government agencies, as well as increasing the capacity of border forces with high-ranking officials.
At the meeting with representatives of the agencies, from police and gendarmerie to governors of border provinces, Çiftçi said Türkiye made no concessions in ensuring border security, public order and migration management, and was following the developments, noting that all units were on alert.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.
Efkan Ala, deputy chair of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), said on Thursday that the terror-free Türkiye initiative for disarmament of the terrorist group PKK may be affected by the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war. However, he reaffirmed that the process would be completed anyway.
Ala, a former interior minister who played an active role during the past “reconciliation process” to end the PKK threat, spoke to broadcaster NTV about the initiative launched by government ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in 2024.
He pointed out that the region was embroiled in an unstable situation and that a terror-free Türkiye was important to maintain the country’s unity among such uncertainties. The government views the initiative as a step to strengthen Turkish-Kurdish unity. For decades, the PKK exploited the Kurdish community in the region, under the pretext of fighting for a so-called Kurdistan in the southeastern Türkiye. During the ongoing war, the U.S. floated the idea of recruiting Kurds in the region to battle the Iranian regime, before scrapping the idea.
Ala said the initiative would be completed within the framework they envisioned and urged the public to heed the official statements rather than rumors. He underlined that the initiative had political and social support. “The timeframe and other aspects require work, and any regulation on the matter will be carried out by jurists. Once the group completes disarmament, laws will be enacted,” he said.
The initiative, so far, proceeded with the PKK’s announcement that it started laying down arms, but the terrorist group anticipates the removal of counterterrorism laws in place in Türkiye for full dissolution, as statements of the group’s senior members indicate. A parliamentary committee exclusively set up for the initiative recently wrapped up a report including recommendations for Parliament. Parliament, in the coming days, will start working on drafting bills or amending existing ones for lenient sentences for surrendered PKK members and other steps.
In a related development, the pro-PKK Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) announced on Thursday that a delegation from the party would visit the PKK’s jailed ringleader, Abdullah Öcalan, on Friday. DEM Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan told a news conference that it was an important meeting as the delegation would consult with Öcalan on the legal aspects of the initiative.
Pakistan on Thursday confirmed its direct role in relaying messages between the U.S. and Iran toward ending the war in the Middle East.
“There has been unnecessary speculation in the media regarding peace talks to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on the U.S. social media company X.
“In reality, U.S.-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan,” said Dar, confirming that the U.S. has shared 15 points that are “being deliberated upon by Iran.”
The statement came as sources in Islamabad told Anadolu Agency (AA) that this week was crucial in any possible breakthrough on talks between Washington and Tehran.
The sources also said Islamabad expects a U.S. delegation but said Tehran was still wary due to mistrust.
Dar also lauded the role of “Türkiye and Egypt, among others” which are “extending their support to this initiative.”
“Pakistan remains fully committed to promoting peace and continues to make every effort to ensure stability in the region and beyond,” said Dar, emphasizing: “Dialogue and Diplomacy is the only way forward!”
The entire region has been on alert since the U.S. and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, so far killing over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is facing internal strife. The strife may deal another blow to Türkiye’s oldest party, which is grappling with corruption trials against its municipalities and the risk of dissolution of the current administration amid vote-buying allegations at an intra-party election.
Dissidents of incumbent Chair Özgür Özel reportedly plot to draw more members to their ranks, a report by the Sabah newspaper says. For months, they have been urging the party to get rid of members involved in the corruption, while the Özel administration stood firmly with mayors tainted with the corruption allegations.
The Sabah report says dissidents are making intense efforts to recruit nearly 30 deputies who were close to Özel’s predecessor, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, but fell silent after Özel was elected chair.
The policies determined by Özel and his staff since his 2023 election, without consultation, have long divided the party on almost every topic. The intra-party opposition, which was also subjected to disciplinary action, had a six-hour meeting in Ankara last February, according to the report. The participation of 13 current and 13 former deputies in the meeting caused great discomfort at the party’s headquarters.
Party sources say the policies set by the headquarters are implicitly criticized by more than 40 deputies. It is claimed that many members prefer to remain silent on critical issues or take a stand alongside the headquarters because the party management constantly initiates disciplinary processes and starts online mobbing campaigns against dissenting voices.
According to another party member who attended the first meeting of the dissidents in Ankara, preparations for a second meeting continue. In this context, it is emphasized that intense negotiations are ongoing to increase the number of deputies attending the meeting. It was reported that details such as location and date for the second meeting have not yet been finalized. While more than 40 current deputies are expected to attend the next meeting, it is also claimed that a significant show of force is planned with this move. Some deputies who have sharp differences of opinion with the party management stand out, including Gamze Akkuş Ilgezdi, Mahir Polat, Orhan Sarıbal, Rıfat Nalbantoğlu, Sevda Erdan Kılıç, Hüseyin Yıldız, Hasan Öztürkmen and Deniz Demir.
Minister Uraloğlu: “Trabzon will meet the high-speed train network”
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Kurtulmuş: We recommend that the negotiations be suspended.”
Minister Göktaş: “We made the payments of marriage loans of 133 thousand young people”
Minister Uraloğlu: “Trabzon will meet the high-speed train network”
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Kurtulmuş: We recommend that the negotiations be suspended.”
Minister Göktaş: “We made the payments of marriage loans of 133 thousand young people”
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