Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won reelection, according to unofficial results, in a victory that extends his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade as the country reels from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that leveled entire cities.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has remained in power for 20 years by repeatedly surmounting political crises: mass protests, corruption allegations, an attempted military coup and a huge influx of refugees fleeing Syria's civil war.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has ruled his country with an increasingly firm grip for 20 years, was locked in a tight election race early Monday, with a make-or-break runoff against his chief challenger possible as the final votes were counted.
As key votes loom, Turkish parties vow to send migrants home
May 9, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — For Nidal Jumaa, a Syrian from Aleppo, life in Turkey is tough. He works part-time at a furniture workshop and collects plastics and cardboard from trash cans that he sells for recycling, but can hardly afford the rent for his run-down house in a low-income neighborhood of Ankara.
Turkey closes airspace to Armenian flights over monument
May 3, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey has closed its airspace to flights by Armenian aircraft in retaliation for the erection of a monument in the Armenian capital that Ankara says honors people responsible for the killings of Turkish officials, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday.
Turkey, Egypt to reappoint ambassadors as ties improve
April 13, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and Egypt will soon announce the reappointment of ambassadors, their foreign ministers said in Ankara Thursday, as the two regional powers put years of tensions behind them and mend frayed ties.
Turkey calls French envoy, protests hosting of Syria Kurds
March 27, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's foreign ministry summoned the French ambassador to “strongly condemn” the French senate's decision to host Syrian Kurdish groups that Ankara considers to be terrorists, the Turkish state-run news agency reported Monday.
Erdogan hints Turkey may ratify Finland’s NATO membership
March 15, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested Wednesday that his country may soon ratify Finland’s application to join NATO, allowing for the possibility of the country joining the military alliance separately from Sweden.
Alliance picks main opposition leader to run against Erdogan
March 6, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A six-party alliance on Monday nominated main opposition party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as its common candidate to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in elections in May, ending months of uncertainty and bickering that had frustrated their supporters.
Turkish watchdog says it’s fining Musk over Twitter takeover
March 6, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s competition watchdog said Monday it was fining Twitter owner Elon Musk for taking over the social media platform without first seeking the watchdog's permission.
The Turkish Competition board said the billionaire would be required to pay 0.1% of Twitter’s gross revenues in Turkey in 2022, without providing a figure for the fine.
Saudi Arabia says it deposited $5B in Turkish central bank
March 6, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia said Monday it deposited $5 billion into the Turkish central bank, likely helping Ankara firm up its long-weakening currency, the lira, after last month's massive earthquake that struck southeast Turkey and northern Syria.
Turkish opposition bloc faces split over joint candidate
March 3, 2023 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — One of Turkey’s leading opposition politicians indicated Friday that her party is breaking with a major alliance formed to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in elections scheduled for May.
Turkey intends to hold elections on May 14 despite quake
March 1, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicated on Wednesday that his government still intends to hold elections a month earlier than scheduled despite an earthquake last month that devastated parts of southern Turkey.
Amid thaw, Egypt’s FM in quake-hit Turkey to show solidarity
February 27, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Egypt’s foreign minister arrived in Turkey on Monday to show solidarity with the quake-hit country, in the first high-level visit from Egypt since relations between Ankara and Cairo started to improve after years of friction.
Turkey starts work to build homes in 2 earthquake-hit towns
February 24, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish authorities on Friday said preliminary work has started to build housing for people left homeless by the massive earthquake that hit parts of the country and neighboring Syria, killing tens of thousands.
Turkey rejects links between NATO expansion, F-16 deal
February 20, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday called for Sweden and Finland to be accepted into NATO “as quickly as possible,” although his Turkish counterpart dismissed the possibility of any link between their accession and Turkey’s request for F-16 fighter jets.
Blinken tours Turkey’s earthquake zone, pledges $100M in aid
February 19, 2023 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took a helicopter tour Sunday of one of the provinces worst-affected by the Feb.
Blinken off to Europe amid soaring tensions with China
February 15, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Soaring U.S. tensions with China, fears of a new Russian offensive against Ukraine and a stalemate with Turkey over NATO expansion will top Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s agenda as he heads to Europe this week.
NATO chief heads to Ankara as Turkey holds up Nordics
February 15, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg conceded Wednesday that Turkey has blocked efforts to let Finland and Sweden join the world’s biggest security alliance at the same time, and said he is heading to Ankara to discuss the issue with the Turkish president and foreign minister.
Swedish defense minister has been invited to visit Turkey
January 19, 2023 GMTSTOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said Thursday that he had been invited to Ankara by his Turkish counterpart, the first visit by a Swedish official to Turkey since an effigy of the Turkish president was hung from a lamppost in Stockholm, sparking tensions between the two governments.
Iran welcomes steps toward Turkey-Syria reconciliation
January 17, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Iran welcomes steps toward a reconciliation between Turkey and Syria and is ready to help move the efforts forward, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Tuesday.
Turkey says Swedish decision not to probe protest ‘absurd’
January 17, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey on Tuesday denounced as “absurd” a decision by a Swedish prosecutor not to open an investigation into a protest by Kurds in central Stockholm where an effigy of the Turkish president was hung from a lamppost.
Turkey remains concerned by alleged PKK activity in Finland
December 8, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey remains concerned by alleged activities of Kurdish militant groups inside Finland and expects Helsinki to take “concrete steps” before Ankara can approve its NATO membership, Turkey’s defense minister said Thursday.
Greece slams Turkey’s ‘repeated threats of war’
December 7, 2022 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s foreign ministry has slammed what it called Turkish threats of war, after the Turkish foreign minister threatened to “take action” against Greece in the wake of a military exercise in the Aegean Sea.
Turkey again threatens Greece for arming Aegean islands
December 6, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister on Tuesday renewed threats to “take action” against Greece if it continued to arm its Aegean islands which Ankara says should remain demilitarized in line with international treaties.
Turkey says Finland must end arms embargo to join NATO
December 6, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Finland must publicly declare that it's lifting an arms embargo on Turkey to win Ankara’s approval for its membership to NATO, the Turkish foreign minister said Tuesday.
Mevlut Cavusoglu made the comments ahead of visit by Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen, who will be discussing his nation’s bid to join the military alliance with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar on Thursday.
Turkey: Russia, US failed to clear militia from Syria border
December 2, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister charged Friday that the United States and Russia have failed to meet promises to clear Syria’s border with Turkey of Kurdish militants, forcing Ankara to intervene.
Turkey: more steps needed for nod to Nordic states’ NATO bid
November 30, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST (AP) — Sweden and Finland have made some progress in meeting Ankara's security concerns but still need to undertake “concrete steps” to win Turkey’s approval for their NATO membership bids, the Turkish foreign minister said Wednesday.
Syrian Kurds say they have stopped operations against IS
November 26, 2022 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The commander of the main U.S.-backed Kurdish-led force in Syria said Saturday they have halted operations against the Islamic State group due to Turkish attacks on northern Syria over the past week.
Erdogan vows Syria ground invasion, Kurds prepare response
November 23, 2022 GMTQAMISHLI, Syria (AP) — Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed Wednesday to order a land invasion of northern Syria targeting Kurdish groups, amid yearslong border violence and repeated Turkish incursions.
Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits northwest Turkey, 68 injured
November 23, 2022 GMTDUZCE, Turkey (AP) — A magnitude-5.9 earthquake hit a town in northwestern Turkey early Wednesday, causing damage to some buildings and widespread panic. At least 68 people were injured, mostly while trying to flee homes.
Turkey hints new Syria offensive; Russia urges restraint
November 22, 2022 GMTANKARA (AP) — Turkey’s president again hinted at a possible new ground offensive in Syria against Kurdish militants on Tuesday, as Syrian forces denounced new airstrikes and Russia urged restraint and called on Ankara to avoid an escalation.
Kurdish militants fire at Turkish border town, 2 killed
November 21, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Suspected Kurdish militants in Syria fired rockets across the border into Turkey on Monday, killing at least two people and wounding 10 others, Turkish officials said. The attack followed deadly airstrikes by Turkey on suspected militant targets in Syria and Iraq.
Turkey strikes in Syria, Iraq a week after Istanbul bombing
November 20, 2022 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey launched deadly airstrikes over northern regions of Syria and Iraq, the Turkish Defense Ministry said Sunday, targeting Kurdish groups that Ankara holds responsible for last week’s bomb attack in Istanbul.
Turkey detains suspect linked to Istanbul bombing in Syria
November 17, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish security forces have detained a suspect wanted in connection with the deadly bombing in Istanbul in an operation in a Turkish-controlled area in northwestern Syria, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported.
CIA director warns Russian spy chief against deploying nukes
November 14, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — CIA Director Bill Burns met on Monday with his Russian intelligence counterpart to warn of consequences if Russia were to deploy a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, according to a White House National Security Council official.
5 Afghans fatally stabbed in Turkey, investigation launched
November 10, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Police on Thursday discovered the bodies of five Afghan nationals who were stabbed to death inside a house in the Turkish capital Ankara, the country’s state-run news agency reported.
Sweden’s leader vows to counter terror threats to Turkey
November 8, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Sweden’s new prime minister pledged Tuesday to work toward countering “terrorism" threats to Turkey, as his government seeks Turkey's approval for his country’s NATO membership bid.
NATO chief urges Turkey to endorse Finland, Sweden accession
November 3, 2022 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged Turkey on Thursday to set aside its reservations over Finland and Sweden’s efforts to join the military alliance, insisting the Nordic neighbors have done enough to satisfy Ankara’s concerns about their membership.
Turkey: Top doctor jailed on terror propaganda charges
October 27, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish authorities placed the president of the Turkish Medical Association under arrest on “terrorist propaganda” charges Thursday after she called for an investigation into allegations that the Turkish military used chemical weapons against Kurdish militants.
Israeli minister signals defense ties’ restart with Turkey
October 27, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Israel's defense minister on Thursday signaled a possible resumption of defense ties with Turkey as the two nations take steps to normalize their strained relationship.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar in the Turkish capital Ankara, that he instructed his staff "to begin the procedures required in order to resume working relations.”
Turkish doctor detained for proposing chemical weapons probe
October 26, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Police detained the president of the Turkish Medical Association after she called for an independent investigation into allegations that the Turkish military used chemical weapons against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, Turkish media reported Wednesday.
Turkey detains 11 journalists working for pro-Kurdish media
October 25, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Police carried out raids in several Turkish cities on Tuesday and detained 11 journalists affiliated with pro-Kurdish media for their alleged links to Kurdish militants, officials and reports said.
Turkish state media: Talks to be held on Finland’s NATO bid
October 22, 2022 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Finnish officials will arrive in Ankara on Tuesday to discuss their country’s bid to join NATO, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported Saturday.
A delegation from Finland’s Justice Ministry will meet Kasim Cicek, the head of foreign relations at the Turkish Ministry of Justice, Anadolu Agency said.
Turkey: Erdogan to discuss NATO bid with Sweden’s new leader
October 21, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he has agreed to meet with Sweden’s new prime minister in Ankara to discuss the Scandinavian country’s bid to join NATO, describing the visit as an opportunity to test Stockholm’s “sincerity” in meeting Turkey’s conditions.
2 Spanish tourists dead, 3 hurt in Turkish balloon accident
October 18, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Two Spanish tourists were killed and three others were injured on Tuesday when a hot air balloon made a hard landing following a sightseeing tour of volcanic rock formations in central Turkey, officials said
‘No waiting’: Turkey, Russia to act on Putin’s gas hub offer
October 14, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that Turkey and Russia have instructed their respective energy authorities to immediately begin technical work on a Russian proposal that would turn Turkey into a gas hub for Europe.
Putin tempts Turkey, suggests making it Europe’s new gas hub
October 13, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday doubled down on his proposal to turn Turkey into a gas hub for Europe after deliveries to Germany through the Baltic Sea's Nord Stream pipeline were halted.
Turkey appoints new ambassador to Israel as ties warm
October 6, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey has appointed a new ambassador to Israel, the state-run news agency reported Thursday, in the latest step between the two countries’ efforts toward normalizing ties.
Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, a senior diplomat who had served as Turkey’s consul general in Jerusalem between 2010 and 2013, was named to the post, Anadolu Agency reported.
Sweden, Turkey discuss extraditions demanded by Ankara
October 5, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A delegation from aspirant NATO member Sweden met with Turkish officials on Wednesday to discuss Ankara’s demands for the extradition of people it considers to be terrorists, Turkey's state-run news agency reported.
Turkish journalist groups slam bill to fight disinformation
October 4, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s parliament on Tuesday began debating a highly controversial draft law the government says is aimed at combating fake news and disinformation, but which critics denounce as yet another attempt to stifle freedom of expression.
Sweden moves closer to NATO, lifts arms embargo on Turkey
September 30, 2022 GMTSTOCKHOLM (AP) — Would-be NATO member Sweden on Friday announced it will allow exports of arms to Turkey, which had threatened to block the Scandinavian nation’s application to join the 30-member defense alliance.
Turkey vows to defend interests against Greece amid tensions
September 26, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey on Monday summoned the Greek ambassador to protest the alleged deployment of dozens of U.S.-made armored vehicles to Greek islands which Ankara says should remain demilitarized in line with international treaties.
Israel appoints ambassador to Turkey in sign of warming ties
September 19, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Monday announced the appointment of a new ambassador to Turkey — the latest sign of warming relations between the two countries following more than a decade-long rift.
Irit Lillian, a senior diplomat who has been in charge of the Israeli Embassy in Ankara for the last two years, will serve as the ambassador, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced.
Turkey says Greek coast guard fires on cargo ship in Aegean
September 11, 2022 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Greek coast guard ships opened fire on a cargo vessel sailing in international waters in the Aegean Sea, the Turkish coast guard said, escalating tensions between the regional rivals that have mounted in recent weeks.
Turkey says no need for concern over US sanctions warning
August 26, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s finance minister said Friday there was no reason for Turkish businesses to be concerned by a warning about possible U.S. sanctions on companies dealing with already sanctioned Russian businesses.
Turkey says Greece harassed its jets during NATO mission
August 23, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey summoned the Greek military attache and filed a complaint with NATO after Greek fighter jets allegedly harassed Turkish fighter jets that were conducting an “important mission” for the military alliance, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported Tuesday.
Greece to expand fence, surveillance at border with Turkey
August 23, 2022 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece will gradually extend a fence along its land border with Turkey and increase surveillance measures following an increase in illegal immigration from its eastern neighbor, the Greek government said Tuesday.
Turkey’s Erdogan vows continued support for Palestinians
August 23, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s reconciliation efforts with Israel will in no way diminish Ankara’s support for the cause of the Palestinians, the Turkish leader said Tuesday.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the comments during a visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Turkey lowers interest rate even as inflation soars to 80%
August 18, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s central bank on Thursday lowered its key interest rate despite inflation surging to nearly 80% and making it difficult for people to buy what they need, falling in line with the unorthodox economic views of the country's president.