Politics
Türkiye says Hamas ready for lasting truce, urges Israel to agree
The Palestinian group Hamas is prepared to take constructive steps to make the current Gaza cease-fire permanent, and Israel should demonstrate the same commitment, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Wednesday.
“The Gaza Strip is a part of Palestine; it must remain so and be treated as such,” Fidan said during a joint news conference in Ankara with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty.
Expressing great pleasure in hosting Egypt’s foreign minister, Fidan noted that Abdelatty has been received by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Hailing the vision and will of the presidents of their two nations, Fidan said they are making “significant progress” in ties between the two countries.
Fidan noted that the first meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) held on Sept. 4, 2024, was a turning point for ties between the two countries, saying that as foreign ministers, they coordinate the cooperation process across various fields.
Noting that he and Abdelatty co-chaired the first meeting of the Türkiye-Egypt Joint Planning Group, he said representatives from the relevant institutions also attended the meeting, addressed aspects of their relations in detail and reviewed the current status of the agreements under negotiation.
“We aim to have these agreements ready for signature by the time of the second HLSCC meeting next year. In this way, we will further strengthen the contractual foundation of our relations,” he added.
The Egyptian foreign minister said Egypt and Türkiye are preparing to hold the second session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Cairo soon, with the participation of Erdoğan.
“I am pleased that my current visit to Ankara coincides with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.”
To mark this occasion, Abdelatty said Egypt plans to present a replica of the statue of one of the great pharaohs, King Amenhotep III, to be placed in a prominent area of the Turkish capital.
He said Cairo and Ankara would work to remove any obstacles preventing the achievement of the targeted trade volume, while continuing efforts to encourage a favorable investment environment and increase Turkish investments in Egypt.
Pointing out that Egypt is Türkiye’s largest trade partner in Africa, Fidan said the bilateral trade volume between the two countries increased by 11% in 2024 compared to the previous year, approaching $9 billion.
He added that they are working to increase this number to $15 billion, stressing the importance of Turkish companies’ role in Egypt.
Fidan said they also decided to deepen cooperation in strategic areas, including transportation, connectivity, energy and hydrocarbons.
Touching on the recent progress made in military cooperation, Fidan said Cairo and Ankara are aiming to mutually advance their militaries and security dialogues via reciprocal visits and exercises.
“We believe that joint projects developed with our public institutions and companies will further strengthen this partnership,” he added.
He announced that a joint statement would be issued following the first meeting of the Türkiye-Egypt Joint Planning Group, adding that the goals and road map for the upcoming period have been formally documented in this way.
Regional issues
Fidan said that Türkiye and Egypt discussed developments in Libya, Sudan and Syria.
He underlined support for Libyan-led efforts toward lasting stability and for making the Eastern Mediterranean a region of fairness and prosperity through joint work with Egypt.
On Sudan, he expressed concern over ongoing clashes, calling for an immediate cease-fire, the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid, stressing Türkiye’s commitment to Sudan’s unity and sovereignty.
On Syria, Fidan welcomed its improving regional standing and its participation in the anti-Daesh coalition and reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for a secure, united and terrorism-free Syria.
“Syria’s growing status both regionally and internationally is highly gratifying. The visit of President Ahmed al-Shaara of Syria to Washington, D.C., represents an important development in this regard.
“We also welcome Syria’s participation in the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh. This has created new opportunities to strengthen Syria’s counterterrorism capacity and improve its security environment. Türkiye will continue to support the vision of a Syria that is free from terrorism, secure and possesses territorial integrity,” he added.
He stated that Türkiye-Egypt cooperation is yielding tangible results for regional peace and stability.
Fidan’s contacts in U.S.
Calling his meetings in the U.S. “highly productive,” Fidan said he had the opportunity to attend part of the meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and al-Shaara.
The talks focused on how U.S.-Syria-Türkiye cooperation could help resolve regional issues, particularly ways to support Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, he added.
Fidan underlined the importance of Trump’s sensitivity to this issue, stating: “It is crucial for the international community to work together for the success of Syria’s new administration – to achieve stability, peace, the return of refugees, and ensure that the new Syria poses no threat to any country in the region.”
He noted that he also held separate meetings with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, where the Syrian issue was discussed in depth.
Following the Trump-al-Shaara meeting, a trilateral meeting was held between the foreign ministers of Syria, Türkiye and the U.S., where more detailed topics were addressed.
“We discussed how to reach an agreement on the security balance between Syria and Israel and how to address the concerns of regional countries on this matter,” Fidan said.
He noted that Washington was trying to play a constructive role in issues involving the Druze population in southern Syria and the PKK/YPG terrorist organization’s presence in the northeast, which was welcomed as an important step for Syria’s stability.
Fidan also pointed out that meetings included a possible U.N. Security Council resolution on Gaza and the idea of an international stabilization force, adding that Türkiye’s views were shared with potential actors involved and that mutual assessments were made.
Abdelatty, for his part, reiterated full support for Syria’s security, stability and sovereignty, emphasizing that Damascus “poses no threat” to the countries of the region.
Abdelatty voiced hope that Syria “will resume its active role within the Arab, Islamic, and international frameworks through an inclusive political process that excludes no one, alongside combating terrorism and extremism to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people.”
Talks on Russia-Ukraine
Fidan said that advancing the Russia-Ukraine talks was discussed, noting that this was an important issue.
He said that in his meeting with Witkoff, they addressed the situation in Ukraine and how both countries could play a role in resolving it.
He added that there were opportunities to exchange views on how to move the talks further and overcome stalled points between Russia and Ukraine.
“We also discussed ongoing issues in the Gaza cease-fire process, how we can overcome them, and how to make the cease-fire more resilient to such challenges,” Fidan said.
Middle East cooperation
Noting that Türkiye and Egypt have worked in close cooperation with regional and international actors since the Gaza crisis began, he said the two countries collaborate closely in key areas.
He reaffirmed Türkiye’s determination to demonstrate its solidarity with Palestine through humanitarian aid and described joint Turkish-Egyptian humanitarian efforts for Gaza as historic.
Fidan said they discussed making this cooperation more institutional, including delivering humanitarian aid to other crisis regions, particularly in Africa, where the two countries share common interests.
He also noted that discussions included how to halt the genocide in Gaza, recalling that the contact group established on this issue has been working determinedly for two years.
“The main question is how to advance this issue, especially within international platforms like the U.N. We have been working seriously on this. The commitment shown by the U.S., especially President Trump, is extremely important. The meeting held here in New York was a historic turning point.
“The fact that Egypt, Türkiye and six other Muslim countries came together with President Trump to discuss the matter in detail – and highlighted that the region’s lasting peace is at risk not only because of Palestine, but more broadly – was very significant. The cease-fire process that began afterward was a major step,” he said.
Fidan underscored the need to advance the two-state solution, noting that he has been working closely with his Egyptian counterpart on this issue.
He added that since these three areas (humanitarian aid, cease-fire and political resolution) follow different paths, they require different approaches.
He referred to the ongoing coordination through the U.N. Security Council, the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meetings, as well as with European partners, saying they have shared “moments of sorrow, joy, and frustration” together.
“We have always acted with brotherly solidarity,” Fidan said.
“We have always believed we are on the right side – on the side of truth, peace, and justice. There has never been any reason for us to step back. We have continued our cooperation with full strength and professionalism, and we will keep doing so. We know that even if we solve one problem, the next one will not be easier – that’s the nature of it. The key is to keep working together more closely, more professionally, and more in coordination.”
Regarding Gaza, Abdelatty called for the swift convening of a reconstruction conference and the entry of medical aid, stressing the urgency of humanitarian action “as winter approaches.”
“Egypt’s goal is to ‘flood’ the Gaza Strip with humanitarian and medical aid as part of early recovery efforts, paving the way for its full reconstruction,” Abdelatty added.
“It is essential to work to ensure the continuation of this (cease-fire) agreement, allow the entry of large quantities of aid, secure Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and prevent a return to war.”
The Egyptian minister stressed the importance of implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state.
He reaffirmed Egypt’s rejection of Israeli practices in the occupied West Bank and its opposition to any infringement on Palestinian rights.
Damaged vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla are being repaired in Türkiye’s Antalya after an Israeli attack in international waters, with volunteers working to prepare the ships for another voyage toward Gaza.
Some of the vessels were left with damaged engines, broken masts and torn sails after the attack. They were later brought to Antalya, where local and international volunteers are carrying out repairs at a shipyard.
Two vessels have already been repaired and sent to Italy as part of preparations for another Gaza-bound mission, said Sümeyra Akdeniz Ordu, a board member of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
“We are trying to recover the ships drifting at sea one by one. We are carrying out a rescue mission,” Ordu told Anadolu Agency (AA). “We are repairing these ships so they can sail to Gaza again.”
Fourteen flotilla vessels are currently in Antalya, Ordu said, adding that volunteers from different countries were helping coordinate and repair the ships.
She said each vessel had a special significance for the activists and that they were treating the ships “like their own children” as they worked to restore them.
The damage was extensive, Ordu said, describing broken masts, damaged engines and cut hoses. She also said the sails had been torn with knives.
“The mast was broken, surface cleaner and coffee had been poured into the engines, and the hoses on each ship had been cut one by one,” she said. “They caused this damage by ramming them with larger ships.”
The repairs have been difficult because of the extent of the damage, but volunteers have continued working, Ordu said.
Türkiye has provided a safe port for the repair effort, she added.
Ordu said the activists remained determined to continue their efforts despite the damage to the vessels.
“If the enemy does not give up, we cannot give up,” she said. “We are trying to be a voice here for our Palestinian friends.”
She said the damage to the vessels showed what she described as the violence and hostility directed at the flotilla.
“We, too, insist on continuing every form of resistance,” Ordu said.
Türkiye condemned a drone attack on a power distribution station in the Saudi city of Medina that supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, reiterating its support for Saudi Arabia amid renewed regional tensions.
Ömer Çelik, spokesperson for Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), condemned the attack on Friday, saying targeting infrastructure serving the Prophet’s Mosque was unacceptable.
“Attacks targeting our sacred values are illegitimate acts directed against all Muslims,” Çelik said in a social media post, adding that Türkiye strongly supported Saudi Arabia’s security and stability.
The targeted facility supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, Islam’s second-holiest site. The attack put one transformer out of service but did not affect the electricity network.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the attack, saying strikes targeting civilian infrastructure and threatening Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security should “cease immediately and unconditionally.”
The ministry reiterated Türkiye’s support for Saudi Arabia and called on parties to avoid steps that could further escalate tensions in the region.
“We reaffirm our strong support for Saudi Arabia and emphasize the need to avoid any steps that would further escalate tensions in the region,” the statement said.
Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran on Friday separately condemned the strike and said Türkiye would continue to stand by Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi-led coalition said an investigation and examination of drone wreckage indicated Houthi involvement in the Sept. 29 attack.
Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al Maliki said the targeted facility supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites.
Saudi Arabia said two weeks ago it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace over the Muslim holy city. The coalition described that incident as the second Houthi attempt to target Mecca since 2017.
Earlier on Thursday, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, also condemned the attack on Medina.
The OIC described the targeting of vital infrastructure and facilities as “a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of the sanctity of holy sites,” as well as international and humanitarian laws and norms.
Bashiqa-Zilkan, a key Turkish base in Iraq, will soon be handed over to Iraqi authorities while Turkish troops are expected to withdraw from the country. The development, which comes amid the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country, which remained there as part of an anti-Daesh coalition, signals the start of a new era for Iraq and Türkiye. The Ministry of National Defense said in a statement on Thursday that the handover of the base did not mean an end to cooperation with Iraq and, on the contrary, Türkiye would continue supporting Iraq’s security and stability.
Türkiye and Iraq agreed earlier this month to deepen security cooperation, restore full Iraqi state authority in Sinjar and begin the gradual handover of the Bashiqa-Zilkan military base to Baghdad under an agreed timetable.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced the steps in a joint statement following talks in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The ministry said Türkiye welcomed steps to ensure state authority in Sinjar. The base was set up in 2015 to help Iraq fight against Daesh and later maintained its presence when the terrorist group PKK sought to replace Daesh following the liberation of Sinjar.
“These steps will contribute to normalization of the region, establishing an environment of security and stability and a terror-free region,” the ministry said, using an expression referring to Ankara’s “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, which aims to disarm the PKK.
The statement also said it was decided to gradually hand over the compound to the central government in Baghdad, “based on improvement of security in Sinjar.”
“Our country, as it did in the past, stands with our neighbor Iraq in terms of maintaining an environment of security and stability. Throughout future contacts, we are planning to take steps that will further advance military and security cooperation. We will continue supporting Iraq’s armed forces in increasing military capacity, sharing know-how in counterterrorism and in the fields of military training and defense industry cooperation, based on bilateral agreements,” the ministry stated.
Ayhan Sarı, an assistant professor at the Turkish-German University and a security and foreign policy expert at the Turkish Research Foundation (TAV), noted that Türkiye’s withdrawal was linked to ending the PKK’s presence in Sinjar and the re-establishment of Baghdad’s authority there.
Sarı told Daily Sabah that Türkiye has been in Iraq as an exercise of its right to self-defense under international law, particularly Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which recognizes the right to individual and collective self-defense against armed attacks. “Türkiye’s presence in Iraq has been due to the PKK threat in the north. (The dissolution) of the PKK will remove the need to remain in Iraq,” Sarı said.
He noted that the PKK and other terrorist groups had, for years, filled the power vacuum that emerged in Iraq’s northern region following the beginning of the Iraq War.
“Iraq’s central government claims it can find a solution to this vacuum through recent steps and establish full authority within its borders after the U.S. withdrawal,” Sarı said.
A U.S.-led coalition deployed in Iraq more than a decade ago against Daesh formally concluded its mission on Wednesday. Daesh was largely expelled from Iraq and Syria, also thanks to Türkiye’s cross-border operations in Assad-era Syria, but U.S. forces remained. Washington and Baghdad reached an agreement two years ago to wind down the mission.
Sarı said it was only natural that Türkiye was supportive of Iraq’s steps to ensure security on its own, since Ankara was committed to developing good relations with its neighbors and centered its foreign policy on peace and stability.
“As it did in Syria, Türkiye sides with central authority, stability and security in Iraq. Türkiye will support this move and will do whatever it can to ensure that this mission succeeds in maintaining stability and security, based on its neighborly relations,” he said.
Sarı added that Iraq’s efforts were compatible with Türkiye’s foreign policy and plans. “Iraq’s success will also mean the complete expulsion of the PKK from that country. This expulsion, removal of this malignant tumor between Türkiye and Iraq, will certainly add momentum to Turkish-Iraqi relations,” he also stated.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new legislative year at the Turkish Parliament on Thursday, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hailed a law passed by Parliament on terror-free Türkiye, which involves the disarmament of the terrorist group PKK.
“Consensus on a terror-free Türkiye has upset the country’s foes. (Terror-free Türkiye) is already having a deterrent effect on Türkiye’s foes and is empowering the country,” Erdoğan said.
The president also urged other political parties to strengthen the “home front” amid regional tensions and reach a “grand Türkiye consensus.”
The Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration was approved by Parliament in August following months of political consultations over the government’s terror-free Türkiye initiative. The 12-article legislation received broad parliamentary backing, with 468 lawmakers voting in favor, 88 against and six abstaining. It mainly involves deferral of sentences and prosecution, as part of the initiative that paved the way for the dissolution of the PKK.
For decades, the PKK remained the main security threat for Türkiye, and its violent campaign is blamed for the deaths of thousands of people and immense economic losses, especially in southeastern Türkiye. Apart from small nationalist parties, almost all political parties openly supported the initiative, something rare in polarized Turkish politics.
“The era of opposition solely based on opposing what the government did is over. It is a grave mistake to reduce politics to antagonizing the rivals, to a war of attrition, instead of making it a race in offering the best public services. Regional and global developments require us to pursue a new style of politics,” Erdoğan told Parliament amid constant applause from lawmakers from his Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The main opposition New Party (YP) left Parliament’s general assembly hall as Erdoğan took the floor.
“We have two options now: We will either continue with the old way of politics focusing on polarization, or we will build new politics based on finding common ground, finding consensus amid competition,” he said.
“If we are meant to make Türkiye great and strong again, if we are meant to utilize historic opportunities, we have to adapt to this paradigm shift altogether and without losing more time,” he said.
The president said they did not expect all political parties to fully align or have the same opinion.
“Different views are certainly the wealth of Türkiye, Turkish democracy. But all political parties should prioritize Türkiye. Every party should draw power from its own dynamics, its grassroots, to carry out ‘Türkiye-oriented politics,'” Erdoğan said.
“Reconciliation and tolerance should replace conflict and polarization. We have to find common ground on matters essential for every member of our nation. This is what we call the ‘grand Türkiye consensus,'” Erdoğan added.
New constitution
The president also focused on drafting a new constitution. “The goal of a new and civilian constitution is a struggle for Turkish democracy to prove its maturity. Our esteemed Parliament is competent and authorized to draft a constitution under all circumstances and in every period. A new constitution that will broaden Türkiye’s horizons will be the product not of a politics of polarization, but of a new politics based on competition within consensus. Our nation’s longing for a new constitution must not be held hostage by manufactured fears. Our position regarding the first four articles of the Constitution currently in force is clear. Rolling up our sleeves for a new and civilian constitution worthy of the ‘Century of Türkiye’ is a genuine test of sincerity for everyone. I hope the current legislative year will be a year of constitutional reform that expands Türkiye’s opportunities and potential,” he said.
Since the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, constitutional design has served as the backbone of the country’s legal system. The current Constitution, adopted in 1982, has been repeatedly amended over the decades, most notably in 2017, when a national referendum paved the way for the country’s transition from a parliamentary model to an executive presidential system.
Despite numerous amendments over the decades, replacing the 1982 Constitution with a new, civilian-drafted charter remains a prominent issue in Türkiye’s political debate.
Erdoğan and Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş have repeatedly advocated for a new civilian constitution, arguing that the existing charter retains the legacy of military rule under which it was drafted despite extensive subsequent amendments.
Türkiye condemned Thursday a drone attack by Houthis on a power station in the Muslim holy city of Medina, reaffirming its support for Saudi Arabia.
The targeted facility supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, Islam’s second-holiest site. The attack put one transformer out of service but did not affect the electricity network.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Thursday that an investigation and examination of drone wreckage confirmed Houthi involvement in planning and carrying out Tuesday’s attack.
“We strongly condemn the Houthis’ attack on civilian infrastructure serving the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“These provocative attacks, which threaten Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security and target the sacred values of the Islamic world, must cease immediately and unconditionally,” it said.
Saudi Arabia said two weeks ago it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace over the Muslim holy city. The coalition described that incident as the second Houthi attempt to target Mecca since 2017.
The Foreign Ministry emphasized the need to avoid any steps that would further escalate tensions.
“We reaffirm our strong support for Saudi Arabia and emphasize the need to avoid any steps that would further escalate tensions in the region,” the statement said.
Earlier Thursday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, also condemned the attack on Medina.
The OIC described the targeting of vital infrastructure and facilities as “a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of the sanctity of holy sites,” as well as international and humanitarian laws and norms.
The organization affirmed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in measures taken to protect its territory, security and stability, defend Islamic holy sites and safeguard citizens and residents.
The UAE Foreign Ministry said the drone attack constituted “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia and a threat to its security and stability.”
The Saudi-led coalition said the Medina attack was part of what it described as repeated Houthi attempts to target the Two Holy Mosques and “provoke” Muslims worldwide. It said it would continue taking measures to protect the holy sites and pilgrims.
Houthis denied the accusation.
The latest escalation is the most serious fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthis since a U.N.-brokered truce largely halted cross-border attacks in 2022. Hostilities resumed this year after the Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in July and began attacking Saudi territory and shipping, while Houthi forces also made major territorial gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes in Yemen and backed government forces fighting to push back the Houthis.
Turkish authorities detained Eyüpsultan Mayor Mithat Bülent Özmen and 27 other suspects earlier Friday as part of a corruption investigation involving the Istanbul district municipality, prosecutors said.
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said detention orders were issued for 28 suspects over allegations including membership in a criminal organization, receiving and giving bribes and bid rigging.
All 28 suspects were detained in simultaneous operations carried out by financial crimes police, according to the prosecutor’s office. Authorities also conducted searches and seizures at addresses linked to the suspects and searched the Republican People’s Party (CHP)-run Eyüpsultan Municipality building.
Prosecutors said the investigation was being conducted in coordination with the Ankara Police Department’s Financial Crimes Investigation Branch.
“The investigation continues in a comprehensive and meticulous manner,” the prosecutor’s office said.
Özmen, who serves as mayor of Istanbul’s Eyüpsultan district, was among those taken into custody.
The detentions are part of an ongoing investigation, and no court has ruled on the allegations against the suspects.
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