Exclusive: Turkey to deploy troops inside Syria’s Idlib
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday Turkey will deploy troops in Syria’s northern Idlib region as part of a so-called de-escalation agreement brokered by Russia last month.The “de-escalation” zones, agreed by Turkey, Russia and Iran, would be further discussed in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his trip to Ankara next week, Erdogan […]
Top Merkel aide says Turkey’s conduct ‘unacceptable’
BERLIN (Reuters) – Turkey’s behavior is “unacceptable” and Germany has a duty to protect its citizens and companies but also wants to maintain strong ties with Ankara, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff said on Sunday. Relations between the NATO allies have deteriorated since Turkey arrested six rights activists, including one German, two […]
Germany warns citizens of Turkey risks amid arrests
The German government has warned its citizens and firms they face the risk of “arbitrary” arrest in Turkey. “People who are travelling to Turkey for private or business reasons are urged to exercise increased caution,” the German foreign ministry said. Firms face investment risks in Turkey because of Turkish legal deficiencies, the ministry said. Germany […]
Turkey’s Deputy PM blasts Israel for closing Temple Mount
Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister on Monday blasted Israel’s two-day closure of the Temple Mount following last week’s terrorist attack as a “crime against humanity.” Israel closed the compound on Friday and Saturday after the attack, in which two Druze police officers were murdered. On Sunday, the compound was reopened with increased security measures, including the […]
Turkey’s Erdogan calls for review of Nato over US arming of Kurds fighting Isil in Syria
urkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened the US on Sunday over its arming of Kurdish forces in Syria, calling for a review of the Nato military alliance in response. “At one side we will be together in Nato but on the other side you will act together with terror organisations,” he said in reference to […]
Erdogan rejects Arab demands; Turkish troops stay in Qatar
Turkey’s president says he will not pull Turkish troops from their base in Qatar, rejecting a demand by major Arab states that it do so to end the ongoing crisis with the small Gulf country. Speaking Sunday after Eid prayers in Istanbul, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the demand “disrespectful.” He said Turkey would not […]
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan claims ultimatum issued to Qatar is ‘against international law’
The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said an ultimatum issued to Qatar is “against international law” and claimed calls to withdraw his troops from the Gulf emirate are “disrespectful”. Mr Erdogan announced his support for the monarchy in Doha after they accused a group of Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, […]
Erdogan dismisses pledges over weapons for Kurds in Syria
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday countries which promised to get back weapons supplied to Kurdish YPG fighters in northern Syria were trying to trick Turkey and would eventually realize their mistake. Ankara was infuriated by a U.S. decision last month to arm the YPG, which Washington sees as a vital ally in the […]
Turkey troops arrive in Qatar for long-planned drills
Turkish troops have arrived in Qatar for long-planned joint military exercises, Al Jazeera reported on Monday, a deployment made possible by legislation fast-tracked by Turkey following a diplomatic rift between Doha and four other Arab states. The channel posted a video on its website of a column of armored personnel carriers moving through streets. It […]
Iran and Turkey Support Embattled Gulf State Accused of Sponsoring Terror
As the pressure from its neighbors starts to bite, Qatar is receiving support from two non-Arab partners, but the help from Iran and Turkey is likely to further antagonize its critics. Iran and Turkey are sending planeloads of food supplies to Qatar, while Turkey has offered to do the same and fast-tracked legislation approving the […]