Politics
Türkiye’s foreign policy explained: A diplomatic journey across globe
From Europe to the Caucasus, from Africa to Latin America and from the Middle East to Asia-Pacific, Türkiye today boasts one of the world’s most extensive diplomatic networks. Rather than focusing on a single alliance or region, Ankara has developed a foreign policy that combines security, economic diplomacy, humanitarian engagement, mediation and expanding partnerships across multiple continents.
Ankara says its approach is based on building partnerships grounded in mutual respect, shared interests and sovereign equality, rather than zero-sum competition or dominance. This explainer explores how Türkiye engages with different regions, the historical roots of those relationships and the strategic priorities that continue to shape its diplomacy.
Backed by one of the world’s largest diplomatic networks, Türkiye describes its approach as multidimensional and proactive, seeking to protect its national interests while contributing to regional stability and a more inclusive international order.
From empire to republic
The foundations of Türkiye’s diplomacy date back to the Ottoman Empire, whose territory stretched across Europe, Asia and Africa, creating centuries-old political, commercial and cultural ties.
Following the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk introduced the principle of “Peace at home, peace in the world,” placing diplomacy, sovereignty and regional stability at the heart of foreign policy. While maintaining its traditional Western partnerships, Türkiye has gradually expanded its diplomatic outreach over recent decades, reflecting shifting geopolitical realities and new economic opportunities.
Europe: Türkiye’s enduring strategic anchor
Europe remains the cornerstone of Türkiye’s security and economic architecture despite occasional political disagreements. Since joining NATO in 1952, Türkiye has become one of the alliance’s largest military contributors, controlling its southeastern border and providing strategic access between Europe, the Black Sea and the Middle East. The country played a strategic role during migration crises in terms of strengthening border security and combating illegal migration.
The European Union remains Türkiye’s largest export market and trading partner through the Customs Union. Millions of Turkish citizens also live across Europe, creating extensive commercial, educational and cultural links that reinforce bilateral relations beyond government diplomacy.
Although accession negotiations have largely stalled, Ankara continues to advocate modernization of the Customs Union, expanded visa liberalization and closer cooperation on migration, energy security and counterterrorism. Türkiye also remains an active participant in the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and numerous European security mechanisms.
Rather than viewing Europe solely through the lens of EU membership, Turkish diplomacy increasingly frames the relationship as a multidimensional partnership encompassing trade, defense, energy, migration and regional stability.
The Black Sea: Balancing deterrence with dialogue
Few regions better illustrate Türkiye’s balancing diplomacy than the Black Sea.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ankara condemned it as a violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity while maintaining open communication channels with Moscow. Rather than aligning exclusively with one side, Türkiye sought to preserve dialogue with both governments, allowing it to facilitate negotiations during periods when direct contacts had largely broken down.
One of Ankara’s most significant decisions came shortly after the war began, when it invoked the 1936 Montreux Convention to restrict the passage of additional warships through the straits, limiting military escalation in the Black Sea while applying the treaty equally to all belligerents.
Türkiye also played a central role in facilitating the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which helped ease concerns over global food security by enabling grain exports from Ukrainian ports. While the agreement eventually collapsed, it demonstrated Ankara’s growing role as a mediator capable of bringing competing actors to the negotiating table.
Today, the Black Sea remains central to Türkiye’s national security, energy strategy and broader diplomatic ambitions.
The Caucasus and Central Asia: Building a Turkic corridor
Türkiye’s partnership with Azerbaijan extends well beyond diplomatic cooperation, encompassing defense, energy, transportation and cultural ties. The relationship has become one of the defining strategic partnerships in Eurasia, particularly following Azerbaijan’s restoration of control over Karabakh.
Energy projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor have strengthened Türkiye’s role as a major energy transit hub linking Caspian resources with European markets.
Further east, Ankara has expanded engagement with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and other Turkic states through the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), which serves as a platform for economic integration, transportation coordination and cultural cooperation.
The Middle Corridor has emerged as one of Türkiye’s flagship initiatives, offering an alternative trade route connecting China and Central Asia with Europe through the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus and Türkiye. As global supply chains diversify, Ankara sees the corridor as an opportunity to position itself as one of Eurasia’s principal logistics hubs.
The Middle East: Security, diplomacy and regional stability
Türkiye’s Middle East policy reflects the complex intersection of security, humanitarian concerns and regional diplomacy.
Türkiye remains resolute in securing its southern border against the terrorist PKK and its Syrian branch, the YPG. Driven by the Terror-Free Türkiye initiative, Ankara has intensified efforts to eliminate terrorism both within its borders and through coordinated regional mechanisms with Iraq and Syria. Central to this objective is closer security integration with neighboring governments. Iraq’s decision to officially ban the PKK marked a significant step toward institutionalizing joint counterterrorism cooperation with Türkiye. Ankara also continues to leverage military deterrence and diplomatic channels in Syria to safeguard regional stability and prevent any YPG/PKK resurgence.
Türkiye also views the Development Road Project connecting Iraq’s Grand Faw Port with Türkiye as a transformative initiative expected to enhance regional connectivity, trade and long-term economic integration amid regional tensions.
At the same time, Türkiye has become one of the world’s largest humanitarian donors in relation to the Syrian conflict while hosting millions of displaced Syrians for more than a decade. Turkish officials continue to advocate conditions that would enable voluntary, safe and dignified returns.
In recent years, Ankara has also pursued a broader normalization strategy across the Gulf. Relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have shifted from periods of political tension toward expanding economic cooperation, investment partnerships and defense collaboration.
On Gaza, Türkiye has consistently supported an immediate cease-fire, expanded humanitarian access and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, while remaining among the strongest international critics of Israel’s genocidal attacks. Working in close strategic alignment with Doha, Ankara has coordinated joint mediation efforts alongside Qatar and regional partners to enforce a lasting cease-fire, secure uninterrupted humanitarian relief, and advance diplomatic channels for a comprehensive regional peace settlement.
Africa: From humanitarian outreach to strategic partnership
Africa has become one of the fastest-growing pillars of Türkiye’s foreign policy over the past two decades.
Ankara has expanded from a relatively limited diplomatic footprint to one of the continent’s most extensive networks, opening dozens of new embassies and dramatically increasing high-level political engagement.
Turkish companies have become active across sectors including construction, energy, healthcare, transportation and infrastructure, while development projects coordinated through institutions such as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) have supported education, vocational training and public services.
Turkish Airlines has reinforced these ties by building one of the world’s most comprehensive African flight networks, facilitating trade, tourism and investment.
Defense cooperation has also accelerated, particularly through training programs, military agreements and exports of Turkish defense technologies, while Ankara has positioned itself as a mediator in regional disputes.
Somalia serves as the primary benchmark of this strategy, where Turkish engagement has expanded from vital humanitarian aid into a broad security, economic, and institutional partnership. Beyond constructing major infrastructure and managing strategic transportation hubs in Mogadishu, Ankara maintains its largest military training facility abroad in the country, while recently broadening cooperation to include maritime defense and offshore energy resource exploration.
Türkiye further reinforced its role as a regional mediator by facilitating the Ankara Declaration between Somalia and Ethiopia, helping defuse tensions and boost dialogue between the two Horn of Africa neighbors. The agreement underscored Ankara’s growing diplomatic influence in resolving regional disputes through negotiation rather than confrontation.
Latin America: Diversifying diplomatic horizons
Although geographically distant, Latin America has become an important focus of Türkiye’s diversification strategy.
Trade volumes have expanded steadily over the past two decades alongside growing diplomatic representation across the region. Turkish businesses have invested in sectors ranging from aviation to construction, while bilateral agreements have supported greater economic integration.
Soft power has complemented Türkiye’s traditional diplomacy. Turkish soap operas have attracted millions of viewers throughout Latin America, boosting tourism and strengthening public awareness of Türkiye.
Educational exchanges, humanitarian cooperation and expanding direct flight connections continue to reinforce Ankara’s long-term engagement with the region.
Asia-Pacific: Positioning for Asian century
Recognizing Asia’s growing economic weight, Türkiye launched its Asia Anew initiative to deepen engagement across one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Introduced in 2019, the Asia Anew initiative reflects Türkiye’s efforts to deepen political, economic and cultural ties with the region while responding to Asia’s growing role in the global economy. The initiative promotes stronger cooperation in areas ranging from trade and investment to technology, education and connectivity.
Relations with China encompass trade, infrastructure and investment, while partnerships with Japan and South Korea have expanded in technology, manufacturing, disaster resilience and industrial cooperation.
Türkiye has also strengthened engagement with ASEAN, viewing Southeast Asia as an important market and investment destination. As an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner, Türkiye has expanded institutional engagement with the bloc, promoting cooperation in areas including trade, connectivity, disaster management and sustainable development.
Through initiatives such as the Middle Corridor and growing logistics investments, Ankara aims to integrate more closely into emerging Eurasian supply chains while positioning itself as a gateway between Asian production centers and European consumers.
North America: Strategic cooperation amid differences
Relations with the United States combine deep strategic cooperation with recurring policy disagreements.
Ankara and Washington continue to maintain institutional dialogue through high-level diplomatic and military channels. Turkish officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of resolving disagreements through constructive engagement while preserving the strategic value of the bilateral alliance.
Türkiye continues to contribute to NATO’s collective deterrence and participates in allied missions, while discussions on defense modernization and industrial cooperation remain on the bilateral agenda. Ankara also advocates greater collaboration in emerging fields such as cybersecurity, defense innovation and advanced technologies.
Defense cooperation has gained renewed momentum under President Donald Trump’s administration, with both governments signaling a willingness to deepen defense ties, including efforts aimed at restoring Türkiye’s participation in the F-35 fighter jet program.
Economic relations have become an increasingly resilient component of Türkiye-U.S. ties. Bilateral trade has expanded in recent years, supported by growing investment in sectors including manufacturing, energy, technology and aviation. Both governments have expressed support for further increasing trade volumes and encouraging private-sector partnerships.
Relations with Canada have likewise broadened beyond traditional security cooperation. Alongside close coordination within NATO, the two countries continue to strengthen ties through academic exchanges, scientific research, clean energy initiatives and commercial partnerships, while maintaining dialogue on regional and global security issues. Ottawa and Ankara formally launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in July, following discussions by Canadian and Turkish trade ministers. The beginning of free trade agreement negotiations marks a new phase in Türkiye-Canada economic relations, with both countries seeking to expand trade, investment and business opportunities.
In an increasingly multipolar world, Türkiye continues to pursue a foreign policy based on strategic autonomy, active diplomacy and diversified partnerships. By maintaining strong ties across different regions, Ankara aims to advance its national interests while contributing to peace, stability and economic cooperation.
Senior Turkish political figures criticized the opposition New Party (YP) after its lawmakers walked out of Parliament as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan prepared to address lawmakers at the opening of the new legislative year.
New Party leader Özgür Özel and lawmakers from his party left the General Assembly shortly before Erdoğan began his address Thursday, in what the party described as a protest against the president.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli criticized the move, saying it was politically inappropriate for the lawmakers to leave while Erdoğan was in the chamber.
“It was not politically right for New Party (YP) to leave while our president was in the hall,” Bahçeli told reporters at a reception marking the opening of the new legislative year.
Bahçeli, whose MHP is allied with Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), said a recently established political party should seek to bring new approaches to politics.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş also criticized the walkout, saying political differences and protests were legitimate parts of democratic politics but arguing that lawmakers should observe political courtesy during the annual opening ceremony.
“We would have preferred New Party lawmakers to listen to the president’s speech and not resort to such a course of action,” Kurtulmuş told reporters.
He said lawmakers had extensive opportunities to criticize the president and the executive once regular parliamentary proceedings resumed but described the opening of Parliament as an occasion for political parties to gather under the same roof despite their differences.
The walkout came during the special session opening the fifth legislative year of Parliament’s 28th term. Erdoğan delivered his annual address after Parliament Speaker Kurtulmuş opened the session.
The incident prompted criticism from senior members of the AK Party and officials in the presidential administration.
AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik described the decision to leave the chamber before Erdoğan’s speech as disrespectful to Parliament and the presidency.
Çelik noted the president’s address at the beginning of a legislative year was an established part of Türkiye’s parliamentary tradition and accused the YP of contradicting its calls for a stronger Parliament by leaving the chamber.
Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also criticized the walkout, saying Parliament was a forum where differing political views should be expressed and debated.
Duran described YP lawmakers’ decision to leave the chamber as “a serious act of disrespect,” saying it went beyond a political stance against the presidency and showed disregard for the national will, state traditions and parliamentary conventions.
He said the move was inappropriate for Parliament and argued that democratic politics required not only expressing one’s own views but also tolerating opposing opinions and listening to the elected president in Parliament.
“Putting political disagreements ahead of long-established state traditions and the common rules of Parliament is incompatible with democratic representation.”
AK Party Deputy Chair Hüseyin Yayman also condemned the protest, accusing YP lawmakers of using the parliamentary session for political theater. He said lawmakers had the right to criticize or oppose Erdoğan but should do so through parliamentary debate.
The dispute underscored tensions between Erdoğan’s governing alliance and the YP, which was established in July under Özel’s leadership after he and 90 other lawmakers resigned from the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
The YP has since formed a parliamentary group, with Özel serving as its chair.
Kurtulmuş, responding to questions about opposition criticism more broadly, rejected claims that opposition voices were being prevented from speaking in Parliament.
He said seven parliamentary groups would participate when regular proceedings resume, five of them representing opposition parties.
The Parliament speaker also called on opposition parties to put forward proposals in the debate over a new constitution, saying disagreements over Türkiye’s presidential system and the president’s political party affiliation could be addressed as part of that process.
Despite the walkout, other opposition politicians remained in the chamber during the opening session. Erdoğan later greeted lawmakers from several parties following his address.
Parliament is scheduled to resume its regular legislative work on Oct. 6.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has vowed that anyone found responsible for a deadly mine collapse in the western province of Manisa will be held accountable, as an investigation continues following the deaths of five miners.
Speaking Saturday at Teknofest Southeast in Şanlıurfa, Erdoğan said authorities were pursuing both administrative and criminal investigations into Thursday’s collapse in the Soma district, where five miners were killed and two others were rescued with injuries.
The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry has launched an administrative investigation, while the Soma Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened a judicial inquiry. Nine people, including officials from the company operating the mine, have been taken into custody.
“The investigation is continuing in multiple directions. Anyone found to have been negligent or guilty will certainly be held accountable. We will also follow the process closely,” Erdoğan said.
He offered condolences to the families and colleagues of the five miners who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the two injured workers, who remain under medical treatment.
Erdoğan made the remarks during the opening of Teknofest Southeast at Şanlıurfa GAP Airport, where thousands of visitors gathered to attend the country’s flagship aviation, aerospace and technology festival.
The president praised young participants for their technological achievements, saying their projects demonstrated the progress Türkiye has made in science and innovation.
“Once again, we are proudly witnessing the level Türkiye has reached in technology and the high-quality projects produced by the Teknofest generation,” he said, congratulating young people who displayed their inventions and turned their ideas into reality at the festival.
The atmosphere at the airport, along with the determination, enthusiasm and ambition of the participants, showed that Türkiye’s future was in capable hands, Erdoğan said.
He added that the country’s long-term development vision, known as the “Century of Türkiye,” would carry the imprint of a generation increasingly involved in technological innovation.
“These young people are a source of pride for our nation and among the country’s most valuable assets,” he said, praising their knowledge, confidence and ambition.
Erdoğan also thanked the Industry and Technology Ministry, the Turkish Technology Team Foundation and other organizations involved in organizing the festival, describing Teknofest as the world’s largest aviation, aerospace and technology event.
He said he had personally recommended Şanlıurfa as the host city, arguing that its historical and cultural heritage made it an appropriate setting for an event bringing together technological innovation and young talent.
“Once again, we are experiencing the excitement of Teknofest, an event shaped from beginning to end by young people, and this time we are doing so in Şanlıurfa,” he said.
Erdoğan highlighted the city’s ancient history, describing it as a center of religious heritage, science and civilization. Şanlıurfa is home to Göbeklitepe, an archaeological site widely recognized for its significance in understanding early human history.
He also recalled the contributions of scholars associated with the region, including Al-Battani, Sinan ibn Thabit, Ibn Wasif of Harran and Yunus al-Harrani, who made contributions to fields including mathematics, astronomy, medicine and philosophy.
The president said hosting Teknofest in Şanlıurfa was intended to connect the country’s historical legacy with the ambitions of its younger generation and the technologies of the future.
He added that organizers wanted young Turks to draw inspiration from their cultural roots while introducing international participants to the country’s history and heritage.
Teknofest began in 2018 with applications from 4,333 teams, Erdoğan said, noting that participation had increased significantly over the years.
This year’s Southeast edition attracted more than 730,000 teams and over 1.6 million competitors from all 81 Turkish provinces and 97 countries, according to the president.
Visitor numbers had also approached 1 million, he added, highlighting the growing public interest in the festival.
Türkiye’s Underwater Defense Command (SAS) is training its personnel to respond to threats ranging from drifting sea mines and unexploded ordnance to improvised explosive devices and unmanned maritime systems, as the naval unit maintains operations aimed at securing the country’s waters.
The unit, part of the Turkish Naval Forces Command, carries out explosive ordnance disposal, underwater operations and other specialized missions at sea and on land. Its personnel have also taken part in counterterrorism operations when assigned, according to SAS commander Navy Capt. Dr. D. Ilhan Sayıcı.
“These missions require many years of training and experience,” Sayıcı said. “Procedures must be followed completely during a mission because there is no margin for error. For us, the first mistake is the last.”
Established in 1964, the command has participated in operations ranging from the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation to more recent counterterrorism missions, Sayıcı noted.
One of its main areas of expertise is neutralizing explosive threats, including naval mines, unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices and suspicious underwater objects.
SAS teams have also been tasked with responding to drifting mines and other potential threats in the Black Sea, where mines have posed risks to maritime traffic.
He said the unit’s objective is to protect maritime transportation, respond rapidly to potential threats and safeguard Türkiye’s maritime interests.
Becoming a SAS commando requires about a year of intensive training, with officers and noncommissioned officers joining on a voluntary basis.
Candidates are evaluated not only on physical fitness but also on psychological resilience, technical knowledge, leadership and their ability to make decisions under intense pressure, Sayıcı said.
The unit regularly conducts shooting, diving, demolition, helicopter and field exercises to maintain operational readiness.
A SAS officer identified as Lt. B. described one of the unit’s procedures, known as the Tactical Claw Operation, which is designed to neutralize drifting naval mines and unmanned aerial or maritime vehicles.
Under the procedure, SAS personnel are transported to the area by helicopter before entering the water and placing explosives on the target. They then withdraw to a safe area by boat or helicopter before remotely detonating the device, the officer said.
SAS teams have intervened against more than 300 suspicious objects, including mines and unmanned aerial and maritime vehicles, according to the unit.
Its personnel have also served in counterterrorism operations inside Türkiye and across the border, including operations Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, Peace Spring and the Claw series, Lt. B. said.
The unit has also carried out missions in Libya, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania.
During a recent training exercise, SAS commandos practiced clearing a booby-trapped building, rescuing a hostage and neutralizing an improvised explosive device. Another explosive device detected in the field was targeted using sniper and rocket fire.
Another SAS officer, identified as Lt. S., said fewer than 30% of candidates have completed the approximately yearlong training course in previous years.
The officer said personnel undergo regular physical conditioning on land and at sea alongside specialized operational training.
“The physical and mental endurance required by our work can only be developed through continuous and disciplined training,” he emphasized, adding that exercises also focus on patience, composure, attention and decision-making.
Lt. B. said teamwork remains central to the unit’s approach, particularly during missions involving explosives.
“There is no room for fear, hesitation or mistakes in our understanding of duty,” he said. “We remind ourselves that we do not have the luxury of making a mistake.”
U.S. President Donald Trump voiced strong support for Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday when asked about delays in lifting CAATSA sanctions that led to Ankara’s removal from the F-35 fighter jet program.
Noting that he loves Türkiye, Trump said he talks to President Erdoğan all the time.
“He is a friend of mine, as you know. And I’ll always make him happy,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House for Alabama, where he was due to attend a Republican Party campaign event.
Trump had announced during the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara in July that sanctions on Türkiye would be lifted, saying Washington did not want to impose sanctions on its friends.
The U.S. imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) in 2020 after Türkiye purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defense system.
Ankara turned to the S-400 after its efforts to purchase the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system failed to produce a deal. Türkiye was subsequently removed from the F-35 fighter jet program.
Türkiye will open a Turkish school with capacity for about 1,000 students in the Syrian capital Damascus on Oct. 4 as Ankara and Damascus expand cooperation, the Turkish Education Ministry said.
The Damascus International Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Turkish School, named after Türkiye’s president, will open in the Artuz area of the Syrian capital and will begin providing education during the 2026-2027 academic year.
The school will operate under Türkiye’s Education Ministry and include kindergarten, primary, middle and high school levels, the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The ministry said the school was established as part of growing education cooperation and coordination between Türkiye and Syria, including efforts aimed at expanding access to education for Syrian children and young people.
The facility has 36 classrooms and will accommodate about 1,000 students.
A delegation from the Turkish Education Ministry is expected to attend the opening ceremony and the school’s first class.
Ankara said the project was also intended to support children from families returning to Syria and help them adapt to education following their return.
The ministry described the school as part of broader efforts to strengthen educational links between the two countries, which share longstanding historical, cultural and social ties.
Türkiye has expanded its education-related activities in Syria as Ankara and Damascus have sought closer cooperation in several areas.
Turkish education officials have held a series of meetings and visits in Syria in recent months. Türkiye’s education office in Damascus said officials inspected the new school’s campus in September ahead of its planned opening.
The Education Ministry said it expects the school to provide students in Syria with access to Türkiye’s educational system while contributing to closer ties between the two countries.
The opening comes as Türkiye and Syria increase coordination on education following years of conflict that severely disrupted Syria’s education system and displaced millions of people.
Turkish officials have said supporting education and facilitating the adaptation of returning families are among the objectives of Ankara’s cooperation with Syrian authorities.
On Aug. 6, officials from Türkiye’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and Syria’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research also signed a memorandum of understanding to advance educational cooperation between the two countries.
Under the memorandum, the two parties will continue work on the legal framework, governance structure, academic organization, student admission procedures, quality assurance mechanisms and administrative regulations for the planned Syria-Türkiye University in Damascus.
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.
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