In a tented camp on a hilltop above the city of Afrin, 300 Syrian families struggle to keep warm in the rain and mud. Displaced three times since they fled their farms near Damascus seven years ago, they survive on slim handouts and send the children out to scavenge.

“The situation is very bad, rain comes into the tent,” said Bushra Sulaiman al-Hamdo, 65, lifting the ground sheet to show the sodden earth where her bedridden husband lay. “There’s not enough food, there is no assistance organization, no drinking water.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey was widely criticized by the United Nations and Western leaders three years ago when he ordered Turkish troops across the Syrian border into Afrin, an action seen as opportunistic and destabilizing. Thousands of Kurdish families fled the Turkish invasion, along with the Kurdish fighters. In their place came hundreds of thousands of Syrians from other areas, who have swollen the population, taking over homes and camping on farming land.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogan-accuses-us-of-backing-terrorists-in-iraq-363811">Turkish President Erdogan accuses US of backing 'terrorists' in Iraq</a>

Another Turkish intervention in 2019, farther east in Syria, met still more opprobrium amid accusations of human rights violations under Turkey’s watch.

But as an end to the decadelong Syrian civil war still confounds the world, Turkey has become the only international force on the ground protecting some five million displaced and vulnerable civilians. Today, the Turkish soldiers are all that stand between them and potential slaughter at the hands of President Bashar Assad’s forces and those of his Russian allies.

Turkish officials recently escorted journalists on a rare visit to Afrin, a district of northwestern Syria, where Turkey has created its own de facto safe zone along the border. The Turks were keen to show their achievements in infrastructure, education and health services.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-turkey-over-russian-s-400-missiles-350017">US imposes sanctions on Turkey over Russian S-400 missiles</a>

But they also did not hide the continuing plight of the Syrians under their charge, who despite their evident hardship made clear that they were glad the Turks were there, at least for now.

“Here, at least I can stay alive,” said Amar Muhammad, 35, a porter in the market in Afrin. A former rebel fighter from Damascus, he said he risked death or detention by the Syrian government. “There, I would be dead. There, I would be thinking all the time, ‘Will they arrest me?’”

The Turkish intervention in Afrin was not selfless. Turkey always had its own interests in mind. Its main aim was to root out Kurdish forces it considers a security threat and provide a space for the residual rebel forces fighting against Assad, a loathed rival. The Syrians who settled around Afrin have fled Syrian government forces.

Muhammad and his cousin Muhammad Amar were among the rebel fighters evacuated in a convoy of buses from the Damascus suburb of Ghouta and brought to Afrin under a peace deal arranged between Russia and Turkey three years ago.

“We were forcibly displaced,” Muhammad said. Refused a chance to join the Turkish-backed security forces, they were demobilized and left to make a living how they could. “I swear to God some people go to sleep hungry. We don’t know how we are surviving.”

Turkey has set up its own administration, trained and incorporated friendly Syrian militias into a military police force and set up compliant local Syrian councils to run things. The city has been connected to the Turkish electricity grid, ending years of blackouts; uses Turkish cellphones and currency; and has registered 500 Syrian companies for cross-border trade.

“Our main aim is to make their life more normal,” said Orhan Akturk, deputy governor of the adjoining Turkish province of Hatay, who is also responsible for Afrin. “Keep schools open, and hospitals working so people can resume their lives.”

But Turkey is also in Syria so that the Syrians do not end up in Turkey. Already the host of the largest Syrian refugee community in the world — 3.6 million Syrians are registered inside Turkey — Erdogan has long called for the establishment of a no-fly zone, or an internationally protected safe zone, in northern Syria.

As it stands, his forces have carved it out for themselves. While the U.N. supplies much of the assistance to the Syrians, Turkey has forced out many international aid groups to keep closer control itself.

Turkey first intervened in Syria in 2016 in a joint operation with the U.S. Army against the Islamic State group, then in Afrin in 2018, and again in 2019, after then-President Donald Trump abruptly withdrew U.S. forces from the region.

Erdogan’s agreement with Trump allowed Russia and the Syrian government to regain a footing in northeastern Syria, which was disastrous for the opposition. But then Ankara took an unexpected stand against a Russian and Syrian government offensive last year in the province of Idlib, showing the Turkish military was not only willing but able to defend the line.

Setting a red line in Idlib turned Turkey from a bad actor in the region to a good one, or at least one that shares mutual interests with Washington, said Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a Washington-based organization involved in advocacy for Syria.

He called for the Biden administration to restart military-to-military communication with Turkey and provide it with logistical and intelligence support to bolster its defense of the part of Idlib that is still in rebel hands.

“Northwest Syria and Idlib is key to the whole,” he said. With 4 million people, 1 million of them children, crammed into an ever shrinking space, Idlib represents both a humanitarian and strategic necessity, he said. “Idlib alone, if attacked, would double the refugees in Europe.”

The Turks’ control, though welcomed by many Syrians who have fled from Assad’s government, is not uncontested. Turkey’s task in Afrin, in fact, has since been bedeviled by persistent terror attacks — 134 in 2 1/2 years — including four car bombs in the region this month. Security forces have thwarted hundreds more, Akturk said.

The Turkish police chief in Afrin said 99% of the attacks were the work of the PKK, the Kurdish separatist movement, and its affiliate in Syria, the YPG, which is allied with U.S. forces in combating the Islamic State.

The recent car bombs were concealed in trucks brought in from the Kurdish-controlled area of Manbij by unwitting traders, one of whom lost his own son in an explosion in Afrin’s industrial area, Akturk said.

Turkey will raise the issue of U.S. support for the Kurdish militia as a priority with the Biden administration, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said last week.

In Afrin the Turks have handled security like any NATO force, surrounding their administration building with high concrete blast walls and sealing off a “green zone” that encompasses the main shopping street in the center of the city.

The Syrian shopkeepers complain that business has dwindled as a consequence.

“We are surviving, but it is very difficult,” said Ibrahim Haji Khalil, owner of the Five Stars Ice Cream shop. Customers dropped dramatically after a massive fuel truck bomb hit the market last April, he said. “We used to have people in lines up the street but now there is no one.”

Said Sulaiman, the leader of the local council, pleaded for more assistance beyond what Turkey can provide. “We need more international support and more nongovernmental organizations to help,” he said.

For millions though, Turkey offers the only opportunity.

Syrian students are busy learning the Turkish language and seeking ways to get to Turkey to study or work, said Nour Hallak, a Syrian activist living in the Turkish-controlled part of Aleppo province. “It’s something that makes me laugh and cry at the same time,” he said. “Turkish language is spreading, it’s the choice of the people.”

For the families in the tented camp above the city, seeking protection from Turkey was their only option.

“We are 16 in one tent. Everything is very hard, to find wood, and food,” said Rasmia Hunan al-Abdullah, carrying a toddler in her arms. Her husband is bedridden and blind, she said. “Sometimes the children work and collect plastic.”

Families pressed forward asking for help in tracing relatives detained in the vast Syrian government prison system. Almost everyone had a family member detained by the Assad government, the camp organizer said.

“If we were not scared, we would not have come here,” said Jarir Sulaiman, one of a group of elders leaning on canes outside their communal tent.

Once a wealthy landowner, he said the Syrian government had cut down his olive groves after seizing control of their village, Khiara, south of Damascus. He ruled out returning home while Assad remained in power.

“We won’t go back to our villages until Turkey gives us protection,” he said. “Without the Turks we cannot survive.”

In a tented camp on a hilltop above the city of Afrin, 300 Syrian families struggle to keep warm in the rain and mud. Displaced three times since they fled their farms near Damascus seven years ago, they survive on slim handouts and send the children out to scavenge.

In a tented camp on a hilltop above the city of Afrin, 300 Syrian families struggle to keep warm in the rain and mud. Displaced three times since they fled their farms near Damascus seven years ago, they survive on slim handouts and send the children out to scavenge. “The situation is very bad, rain comes into the tent,” said Bushra Sulaiman al-Hamdo, 65, lifting the ground sheet to show the sodden earth where her bedridden husband lay. “There’s not enough food, there is no assistance organization, no drinking water.” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey was widely criticized by the United Nations and Western leaders three years ago when he ordered Turkish troops across the Syrian border into Afrin, an action seen as opportunistic and destabilizing. Thousands of Kurdish families fled the Turkish invasion, along with the Kurdish fighters. In their place came hundreds of thousands of Syrians from other areas, who have swollen the population, taking over homes and camping on farming land. Also read| Turkish President Erdogan accuses US of backing 'terrorists' in Iraq Another Turkish intervention in 2019, farther east in Syria, met still more opprobrium amid accusations of human rights violations under Turkey’s watch. But as an end to the decadelong Syrian civil war still confounds the world, Turkey has become the only international force on the ground protecting some five million displaced and vulnerable civilians. Today, the Turkish soldiers are all that stand between them and potential slaughter at the hands of President Bashar Assad’s forces and those of his Russian allies. Turkish officials recently escorted journalists on a rare visit to Afrin, a district of northwestern Syria, where Turkey has created its own de facto safe zone along the border. The Turks were keen to show their achievements in infrastructure, education and health services. Also read: US imposes sanctions on Turkey over Russian S-400 missiles But they also did not hide the continuing plight of the Syrians under their charge, who despite their evident hardship made clear that they were glad the Turks were there, at least for now. “Here, at least I can stay alive,” said Amar Muhammad, 35, a porter in the market in Afrin. A former rebel fighter from Damascus, he said he risked death or detention by the Syrian government. “There, I would be dead. There, I would be thinking all the time, ‘Will they arrest me?’” The Turkish intervention in Afrin was not selfless. Turkey always had its own interests in mind. Its main aim was to root out Kurdish forces it considers a security threat and provide a space for the residual rebel forces fighting against Assad, a loathed rival. The Syrians who settled around Afrin have fled Syrian government forces. Muhammad and his cousin Muhammad Amar were among the rebel fighters evacuated in a convoy of buses from the Damascus suburb of Ghouta and brought to Afrin under a peace deal arranged between Russia and Turkey three years ago. “We were forcibly displaced,” Muhammad said. Refused a chance to join the Turkish-backed security forces, they were demobilized and left to make a living how they could. “I swear to God some people go to sleep hungry. We don’t know how we are surviving.” Turkey has set up its own administration, trained and incorporated friendly Syrian militias into a military police force and set up compliant local Syrian councils to run things. The city has been connected to the Turkish electricity grid, ending years of blackouts; uses Turkish cellphones and currency; and has registered 500 Syrian companies for cross-border trade. “Our main aim is to make their life more normal,” said Orhan Akturk, deputy governor of the adjoining Turkish province of Hatay, who is also responsible for Afrin. “Keep schools open, and hospitals working so people can resume their lives.” But Turkey is also in Syria so that the Syrians do not end up in Turkey. Already the host of the largest Syrian refugee community in the world — 3.6 million Syrians are registered inside Turkey — Erdogan has long called for the establishment of a no-fly zone, or an internationally protected safe zone, in northern Syria. As it stands, his forces have carved it out for themselves. While the U.N. supplies much of the assistance to the Syrians, Turkey has forced out many international aid groups to keep closer control itself. Turkey first intervened in Syria in 2016 in a joint operation with the U.S. Army against the Islamic State group, then in Afrin in 2018, and again in 2019, after then-President Donald Trump abruptly withdrew U.S. forces from the region. Erdogan’s agreement with Trump allowed Russia and the Syrian government to regain a footing in northeastern Syria, which was disastrous for the opposition. But then Ankara took an unexpected stand against a Russian and Syrian government offensive last year in the province of Idlib, showing the Turkish military was not only willing but able to defend the line. Setting a red line in Idlib turned Turkey from a bad actor in the region to a good one, or at least one that shares mutual interests with Washington, said Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a Washington-based organization involved in advocacy for Syria. He called for the Biden administration to restart military-to-military communication with Turkey and provide it with logistical and intelligence support to bolster its defense of the part of Idlib that is still in rebel hands. “Northwest Syria and Idlib is key to the whole,” he said. With 4 million people, 1 million of them children, crammed into an ever shrinking space, Idlib represents both a humanitarian and strategic necessity, he said. “Idlib alone, if attacked, would double the refugees in Europe.” The Turks’ control, though welcomed by many Syrians who have fled from Assad’s government, is not uncontested. Turkey’s task in Afrin, in fact, has since been bedeviled by persistent terror attacks — 134 in 2 1/2 years — including four car bombs in the region this month. Security forces have thwarted hundreds more, Akturk said. The Turkish police chief in Afrin said 99% of the attacks were the work of the PKK, the Kurdish separatist movement, and its affiliate in Syria, the YPG, which is allied with U.S. forces in combating the Islamic State. The recent car bombs were concealed in trucks brought in from the Kurdish-controlled area of Manbij by unwitting traders, one of whom lost his own son in an explosion in Afrin’s industrial area, Akturk said. Turkey will raise the issue of U.S. support for the Kurdish militia as a priority with the Biden administration, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said last week. In Afrin the Turks have handled security like any NATO force, surrounding their administration building with high concrete blast walls and sealing off a “green zone” that encompasses the main shopping street in the center of the city. The Syrian shopkeepers complain that business has dwindled as a consequence. “We are surviving, but it is very difficult,” said Ibrahim Haji Khalil, owner of the Five Stars Ice Cream shop. Customers dropped dramatically after a massive fuel truck bomb hit the market last April, he said. “We used to have people in lines up the street but now there is no one.” Said Sulaiman, the leader of the local council, pleaded for more assistance beyond what Turkey can provide. “We need more international support and more nongovernmental organizations to help,” he said. For millions though, Turkey offers the only opportunity. Syrian students are busy learning the Turkish language and seeking ways to get to Turkey to study or work, said Nour Hallak, a Syrian activist living in the Turkish-controlled part of Aleppo province. “It’s something that makes me laugh and cry at the same time,” he said. “Turkish language is spreading, it’s the choice of the people.” For the families in the tented camp above the city, seeking protection from Turkey was their only option. “We are 16 in one tent. Everything is very hard, to find wood, and food,” said Rasmia Hunan al-Abdullah, carrying a toddler in her arms. Her husband is bedridden and blind, she said. “Sometimes the children work and collect plastic.” Families pressed forward asking for help in tracing relatives detained in the vast Syrian government prison system. Almost everyone had a family member detained by the Assad government, the camp organizer said. “If we were not scared, we would not have come here,” said Jarir Sulaiman, one of a group of elders leaning on canes outside their communal tent. Once a wealthy landowner, he said the Syrian government had cut down his olive groves after seizing control of their village, Khiara, south of Damascus. He ruled out returning home while Assad remained in power. “We won’t go back to our villages until Turkey gives us protection,” he said. “Without the Turks we cannot survive.”

In Turkey’s safe zone in Syria, security and misery go hand in hand

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern accused Australia of abdicating its responsibilities by cancelling the citizenship of a woman detained in Turkey and accused of having links to the Islamic State.

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Turkey said on Sunday militants from the outlawed PKK executed the captives, including Turkish military and police personnel, amid a military operation against the group.

US reassures Turkey over executions after Erdogan calls response 'a joke'

Turkey's interior ministry on Monday said that the country's police has&nbsp;detained 718 people across 40 cities over alleged links to outlawed Kurdish militants&nbsp;it blames for executing 13 Turks in northern Iraq.

Forty-eight PKK militants were killed during the military operation, while three Turkish soldiers were killed and three wounded, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in a statement. Twelve of the kidnapped Turks had been shot in the head and one in the shoulder, he said.

Turkey&nbsp;launched the military operation against the PKK in northern Iraq's Gara region, some 35 km (22 miles) south of the Turkish border, on February&nbsp;10 to secure its frontier and find citizens who had been kidnapped previously, he said.

The governor of Malatya province in southeast&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;named six soldiers and two police officers, kidnapped in separate incidents in 2015 and 2016, as being among those killed in the cave. Three of the dead have yet to be identified in autopsies being carried out in Malatya.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogan-accuses-us-of-backing-terrorists-in-iraq-363811">Turkish President Erdogan accuses US of backing 'terrorists' in Iraq</a>

Earlier,&nbsp;President Recep Tayyip Erdogan&nbsp;accused the United States of siding with "terrorists"&nbsp;who executed Turkish forces in Iraq.

The PKK has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 that is believed to have left tens of thousands dead.

The United States and Turkey's other Western allies recognise the PKK as a terror group. But Washington has supported another Kurdish militia in Syria that Turkey sees as an offshoot of the PKK.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-turkey-over-russian-s-400-missiles-350017">US imposes sanctions on Turkey over Russian S-400 missile</a>

"The statement made by the United States is a farce," Erdogan said in his first public comments on the incident.

"You said you did not support terrorists, when in fact you are on their side and behind them," Erdogan said in televised remarks.

The US State Department on Sunday it "deplores the death of Turkish citizens" but was waiting for further confirmation that Ankara's account of the 13 men's death was true.

The PKK said the 13 died when Turkish forces bombed the cave where the men were being kept.

"If reports of the death of Turkish civilians at the hands of the PKK, a designated terrorist organisation, are confirmed, we condemn this action in the strongest possible terms," the State Department said in a statement.

Erdogan said Turkey's NATO allies had to pick sides.

"After this, there are two options. Either act with Turkey with no ifs or buts, without questioning, or they will be a partner to every murder and bloodshed," he said.

"The terrorist organisation on our doorstep, on our borders, is killing innocents."

&nbsp;'Revenge'

The PKK, designated a terrorist group by&nbsp;Turkey, the United States and European Union, launched its armed insurgency in mainly Kurdish southeast&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;in 1984 and more than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

In the last two years&nbsp;Turkey's fight against the PKK has increasingly focused on northern Iraq, where the group has its stronghold in the Qandil mountains on the Iranian border.

The presidency's communications director Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter that as&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;mourns it dead it also reiterates its commitment to "chase down every last terrorist hiding in their caves and safe houses".

"Our revenge will be painful. Our justice will be swift," he said, slamming the West's "deafening silence" in the face of PKK attacks and pledging "steps against individuals and groups glorifying and encouraging terrorism at home and abroad".

In 2017,&nbsp;Turkey's foreign minister said Ankara was working to bring back citizens he said had been kidnapped by the PKK after Turkish media reported two Turkish intelligence officers had been captured by the PKK in Iraq.

Turkey's interior ministry on Monday said that the country's police has detained 718 people across 40 cities over alleged links to outlawed Kurdish militants it blames for executing 13 Turks in northern Iraq.

Turkey's interior ministry on Monday said that the country's police has detained 718 people across 40 cities over alleged links to outlawed Kurdish militants it blames for executing 13 Turks in northern Iraq. Forty-eight PKK militants were killed during the military operation, while three Turkish soldiers were killed and three wounded, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in a statement. Twelve of the kidnapped Turks had been shot in the head and one in the shoulder, he said. Turkey launched the military operation against the PKK in northern Iraq's Gara region, some 35 km (22 miles) south of the Turkish border, on February 10 to secure its frontier and find citizens who had been kidnapped previously, he said. The governor of Malatya province in southeast Turkey named six soldiers and two police officers, kidnapped in separate incidents in 2015 and 2016, as being among those killed in the cave. Three of the dead have yet to be identified in autopsies being carried out in Malatya. Also read: Turkish President Erdogan accuses US of backing 'terrorists' in Iraq Earlier, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the United States of siding with "terrorists" who executed Turkish forces in Iraq. The PKK has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 that is believed to have left tens of thousands dead. The United States and Turkey's other Western allies recognise the PKK as a terror group. But Washington has supported another Kurdish militia in Syria that Turkey sees as an offshoot of the PKK. Also read: US imposes sanctions on Turkey over Russian S-400 missile "The statement made by the United States is a farce," Erdogan said in his first public comments on the incident. "You said you did not support terrorists, when in fact you are on their side and behind them," Erdogan said in televised remarks. The US State Department on Sunday it "deplores the death of Turkish citizens" but was waiting for further confirmation that Ankara's account of the 13 men's death was true. The PKK said the 13 died when Turkish forces bombed the cave where the men were being kept. "If reports of the death of Turkish civilians at the hands of the PKK, a designated terrorist organisation, are confirmed, we condemn this action in the strongest possible terms," the State Department said in a statement. Erdogan said Turkey's NATO allies had to pick sides. "After this, there are two options. Either act with Turkey with no ifs or buts, without questioning, or they will be a partner to every murder and bloodshed," he said. "The terrorist organisation on our doorstep, on our borders, is killing innocents." 'Revenge' The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and European Union, launched its armed insurgency in mainly Kurdish southeast Turkey in 1984 and more than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict. In the last two years Turkey's fight against the PKK has increasingly focused on northern Iraq, where the group has its stronghold in the Qandil mountains on the Iranian border. The presidency's communications director Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter that as Turkey mourns it dead it also reiterates its commitment to "chase down every last terrorist hiding in their caves and safe houses". "Our revenge will be painful. Our justice will be swift," he said, slamming the West's "deafening silence" in the face of PKK attacks and pledging "steps against individuals and groups glorifying and encouraging terrorism at home and abroad". In 2017, Turkey's foreign minister said Ankara was working to bring back citizens he said had been kidnapped by the PKK after Turkish media reported two Turkish intelligence officers had been captured by the PKK in Iraq.

Turkey detains 718 over alleged Kurdish militant links in Iraq execution

An Iranian consulate employee in Istanbul was remanded in custody on Friday in connection with a probe into the assassination of an Iranian dissident in Turkey in 2019.

The employee, identified by Turkey's Anadolu state news agency by his initials M.R.N., is suspected of providing forged travel documents for the assassination's alleged mastermind, allowing him to return to Iran.

The investigation concerns the gangland-style killing in Istanbul on November 14, 2019 of Masoud Molavi, who had helped run a channel on Telegram called "Black Box" since March 2018.

The encrypted social media channel published corruption allegations against members of the Iranian government, judiciary and intelligence services.

Police at the time said Molavi, who claimed to have contacts within Iran's Revolutionary Guard, was killed by an assassin who fired a dozen shots.

In a tweet posted a few months before his death, Molavi warned that he was in danger of being killed before he could "eradicate the leaders of this corrupt mafia".

The detention threatens to shake Turkey's close relations with Iran.

The neighbours enjoy robust trade and diplomatic ties despite a series of regional disputes, including in Syria.

The consulate employee's initial detention on Thursday was revealed by Turkey's pro-government Daily Sabah, which named the suspect as Muhammad Reza Naserzadeh, 43.

According to the paper, the man who used the forged travel documents to escape Turkey is called Ali Esfanjani, the alleged "mastermind" of the killing.

Iran's intelligence services are known to have a sizeable presence in Turkey, where many exiled Iranians live, and many more come on vacation.

In December, Turkey's MIT intelligence Service detained 11 Turks on suspicion of spying and kidnapping another dissident, Habib Chaab, on behalf of Iran.&nbsp;

Tehran accuses Chaab, who was based in Sweden, of being a leading figure of an Arab separatist group known as the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz (ASMLA), which Iran has designated as a terrorist organisation.

In April 2017, Said Karimian, the owner of a leading Persian-language satellite entertainment channel, GEM TV, was shot dead in his car by unknown individuals in Istanbul.&nbsp;

Karimian was a British citizen of Iranian origin, and ran GEM TV from Dubai, offering Western programmes to Persian-speaking audiences, including US game shows and Turkish soaps.

An Iranian consulate employee in Istanbul was remanded in custody on Friday in connection with a probe into the assassination of an Iranian dissident in Turkey in 2019.

An Iranian consulate employee in Istanbul was remanded in custody on Friday in connection with a probe into the assassination of an Iranian dissident in Turkey in 2019. The employee, identified by Turkey's Anadolu state news agency by his initials M.R.N., is suspected of providing forged travel documents for the assassination's alleged mastermind, allowing him to return to Iran. The investigation concerns the gangland-style killing in Istanbul on November 14, 2019 of Masoud Molavi, who had helped run a channel on Telegram called "Black Box" since March 2018. The encrypted social media channel published corruption allegations against members of the Iranian government, judiciary and intelligence services. Police at the time said Molavi, who claimed to have contacts within Iran's Revolutionary Guard, was killed by an assassin who fired a dozen shots. In a tweet posted a few months before his death, Molavi warned that he was in danger of being killed before he could "eradicate the leaders of this corrupt mafia". The detention threatens to shake Turkey's close relations with Iran. The neighbours enjoy robust trade and diplomatic ties despite a series of regional disputes, including in Syria. The consulate employee's initial detention on Thursday was revealed by Turkey's pro-government Daily Sabah, which named the suspect as Muhammad Reza Naserzadeh, 43. According to the paper, the man who used the forged travel documents to escape Turkey is called Ali Esfanjani, the alleged "mastermind" of the killing. Iran's intelligence services are known to have a sizeable presence in Turkey, where many exiled Iranians live, and many more come on vacation. In December, Turkey's MIT intelligence Service detained 11 Turks on suspicion of spying and kidnapping another dissident, Habib Chaab, on behalf of Iran. Tehran accuses Chaab, who was based in Sweden, of being a leading figure of an Arab separatist group known as the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz (ASMLA), which Iran has designated as a terrorist organisation. In April 2017, Said Karimian, the owner of a leading Persian-language satellite entertainment channel, GEM TV, was shot dead in his car by unknown individuals in Istanbul. Karimian was a British citizen of Iranian origin, and ran GEM TV from Dubai, offering Western programmes to Persian-speaking audiences, including US game shows and Turkish soaps.

Turkey detains Iran consulate employee in murder probe

Turkey on Friday announced the release of 15 sailors kidnapped on a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria last month.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Mozart's crew were all in good health and would fly back to Turkey from the Nigerian capital Abuja within days.

"We are going to repatriate our compatriots," Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Anadolu state news agency.

"They are in good health," he said without providing details about the crew's release.

The Mozart had been en route from the Nigeria's economic capital Lagos to Cape Town in South Africa when it was boarded on January 23.

The unidentified armed men killed an Azerbaijani sailor and wounded several of the Liberian-flagged vessel's crew.

The ship then sailed on to Gabon before contact was officially lost.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office said the Turkish leader had spoken to the ship's acting captain shortly after the attack to make sure the remaining crew were safe.

The head of the shipping company operating the Mozart told Turkish television that the crew would fly home after undergoing health checkups in Nigeria.

Pirate attacks on ships worldwide jumped 20 percent last year driven by a record spate of kidnappings off West Africa, the International Maritime Bureau said last month.

Out of 135 sailors abducted globally last year, 130 were recorded in the Gulf of Guinea -- the highest ever number of crew members kidnapped in the area stretching thousands of kilometres (miles) from Senegal to Angola.

Turkey on Friday announced the release of 15 sailors kidnapped on a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria last month. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Mozart's crew were all in good health and would fly back to Turkey from the Nigerian capital Abuja within days.

Turkey on Friday announced the release of 15 sailors kidnapped on a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria last month. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Mozart's crew were all in good health and would fly back to Turkey from the Nigerian capital Abuja within days. "We are going to repatriate our compatriots," Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Anadolu state news agency. "They are in good health," he said without providing details about the crew's release. The Mozart had been en route from the Nigeria's economic capital Lagos to Cape Town in South Africa when it was boarded on January 23. The unidentified armed men killed an Azerbaijani sailor and wounded several of the Liberian-flagged vessel's crew. The ship then sailed on to Gabon before contact was officially lost. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office said the Turkish leader had spoken to the ship's acting captain shortly after the attack to make sure the remaining crew were safe. The head of the shipping company operating the Mozart told Turkish television that the crew would fly home after undergoing health checkups in Nigeria. Pirate attacks on ships worldwide jumped 20 percent last year driven by a record spate of kidnappings off West Africa, the International Maritime Bureau said last month. Out of 135 sailors abducted globally last year, 130 were recorded in the Gulf of Guinea -- the highest ever number of crew members kidnapped in the area stretching thousands of kilometres (miles) from Senegal to Angola.

Turkey says 15 sailors kidnapped off Nigeria are free

The EU is planning to give Turkey more time to adhere to its commitments on tax evasion, sources said on Friday.

Turkey is accused of failing to comply with international standards on the automatic exchange of tax information.

Ties between the EU and Turkey have been fraught, especially after Ankara pushed gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean last year, infuriating Cyprus and Greece. Tensions have, however, been eased with the diplomacy of Germany.

Berlin is sensitive to keep Turkey compliant with a migration pact that keeps a tight control on the Turkish border with the EU.

According to AFP, the EU's 27 member states, to this end, will next week accept to once again delay the blacklisting of Turkey, which was already given a break a year ago. The delay, however, could come with an understanding that putting off the decision any further will no longer be tolerated, with a deadline set for later this year.

The blacklist was first drawn up in 2017 in the wake of several scandals, including the Panama Papers and LuxLeaks, which pushed Brussels into doing more to fight tax evasion by multinationals and the rich.

EU member countries cannot be on the list and blacklisted countries face only limited sanctions, consisting of freezing them out of European aid or development funding.&nbsp;

The list currently holds: Anguilla, American Samoa, Barbados, Fiji, Guam, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, the US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu.

The deadline for Turkey was still under negotiation among the 27 member states on Friday with hopes that it would not have to be argued over by EU finance ministers at talks next week.

(with inputs from AFP)

The EU is planning to give Turkey more time to adhere to its commitments on tax evasion, sources said on Friday. Turkey is accused of failing to comply with international standards on the automatic exchange of tax information.

The EU is planning to give Turkey more time to adhere to its commitments on tax evasion, sources said on Friday. Turkey is accused of failing to comply with international standards on the automatic exchange of tax information. Ties between the EU and Turkey have been fraught, especially after Ankara pushed gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean last year, infuriating Cyprus and Greece. Tensions have, however, been eased with the diplomacy of Germany. Berlin is sensitive to keep Turkey compliant with a migration pact that keeps a tight control on the Turkish border with the EU. According to AFP, the EU's 27 member states, to this end, will next week accept to once again delay the blacklisting of Turkey, which was already given a break a year ago. The delay, however, could come with an understanding that putting off the decision any further will no longer be tolerated, with a deadline set for later this year. The blacklist was first drawn up in 2017 in the wake of several scandals, including the Panama Papers and LuxLeaks, which pushed Brussels into doing more to fight tax evasion by multinationals and the rich. EU member countries cannot be on the list and blacklisted countries face only limited sanctions, consisting of freezing them out of European aid or development funding. The list currently holds: Anguilla, American Samoa, Barbados, Fiji, Guam, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, the US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu. The deadline for Turkey was still under negotiation among the 27 member states on Friday with hopes that it would not have to be argued over by EU finance ministers at talks next week. (with inputs from AFP)

EU to spare Turkey from tax blacklist, sources say

A metal monolith that mysteriously appeared and disappeared on a field in southeastern Turkey turned out to be a gimmick worked about before a government event Tuesday during which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a space programme for the country.

The three-meter-high (about 10-foot-high) metal slab bearing an ancient Turkic script -- meaning “Look at the sky, you will see the moon”, was found Friday by a farmer in Sanliurfa province. It was discovered near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gobekli Tepe.

The shiny structure, however, was reported gone Tuesday morning.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mysterious-monolith-pops-up-near-turkish-world-heritage-site-362233">Also read |&nbsp;Mysterious monolith pops up near Turkish world heritage site</a>

An image of the monolith was later projected on a screen as Erdogan presented Turkey’s space programme during the televised event.

“I now present to you Turkey’s 10-year vision, strategy and aims and I say: ‘look at the sky, you will see the moon,’” Erdogan said.

Earlier, security forces were called to the scene as curious locals sought to get a look at the monolith, which resembled a mysterious object which appeared in a desert in Utah in America last year, but then vanished.

Other mysterious monoliths have popped up and some have disappeared in numerous countries in recent months.

A metal monolith that mysteriously appeared and disappeared on a field in southeastern Turkey turned out to be a gimmick worked about before a government event Tuesday during which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a space programme for the country.

A metal monolith that mysteriously appeared and disappeared on a field in southeastern Turkey turned out to be a gimmick worked about before a government event Tuesday during which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a space programme for the country. The three-meter-high (about 10-foot-high) metal slab bearing an ancient Turkic script -- meaning “Look at the sky, you will see the moon”, was found Friday by a farmer in Sanliurfa province. It was discovered near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gobekli Tepe. The shiny structure, however, was reported gone Tuesday morning. Also read | Mysterious monolith pops up near Turkish world heritage site An image of the monolith was later projected on a screen as Erdogan presented Turkey’s space programme during the televised event. “I now present to you Turkey’s 10-year vision, strategy and aims and I say: ‘look at the sky, you will see the moon,’” Erdogan said. Earlier, security forces were called to the scene as curious locals sought to get a look at the monolith, which resembled a mysterious object which appeared in a desert in Utah in America last year, but then vanished. Other mysterious monoliths have popped up and some have disappeared in numerous countries in recent months.

Mystery metal monolith in Turkey turns out to be a govt gimmick

Turkey on Thursday rejected a US call to release jailed civil society leader Osman Kavala, accusing Washington of interference.

Kavala, a businessman and philanthropist who has been imprisoned for more than three years without a conviction, is being tried on charges related to a 2016 coup attempt and 2013 protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The 63-year-old was acquitted in a case related to the 2013 protests last February.

Following this, he was immediately rearrested and charged with the 2016 coup plot. A Turkish court last month also overturned his earlier acquittal and a judge last week combined the two cases into one.

The US State Department on Wednesday called the charges against Kavala "specious" and demanded his "immediate release".

The Turkish foreign ministry fired back at Washington by demanding that it "respect" the independence of its courts.

"Turkey is a state governed by the rule of law," the ministry said in a statement. "No country or person can give orders to Turkish courts."

Erdogan developed a personal friendship with former US President Donald Trump that helped shield Ankara from sanctions. But Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Senate confirmation hearing last month that Turkey "is not acting as an ally should" and represented "a very significant challenge".

(with inputs from AFP)

Turkey on Thursday rejected a US call to release jailed civil society leader Osman Kavala, accusing Washington of interference. Kavala, a businessman and philanthropist who has been imprisoned for more than three years without a conviction, is being tried on charges related to a 2016 coup attempt and 2013 protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey on Thursday rejected a US call to release jailed civil society leader Osman Kavala, accusing Washington of interference. Kavala, a businessman and philanthropist who has been imprisoned for more than three years without a conviction, is being tried on charges related to a 2016 coup attempt and 2013 protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The 63-year-old was acquitted in a case related to the 2013 protests last February. Following this, he was immediately rearrested and charged with the 2016 coup plot. A Turkish court last month also overturned his earlier acquittal and a judge last week combined the two cases into one. The US State Department on Wednesday called the charges against Kavala "specious" and demanded his "immediate release". The Turkish foreign ministry fired back at Washington by demanding that it "respect" the independence of its courts. "Turkey is a state governed by the rule of law," the ministry said in a statement. "No country or person can give orders to Turkish courts." Erdogan developed a personal friendship with former US President Donald Trump that helped shield Ankara from sanctions. But Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Senate confirmation hearing last month that Turkey "is not acting as an ally should" and represented "a very significant challenge". (with inputs from AFP)

Turkey rejects US appeal to release rights leader

Appearing to reject an offer by Turkey to avoid sanctions, the United States renewed its call on Ankara to get rid of an advanced Russian air defense system on Wednesday. &nbsp;

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar in an interview this week proposed a compromise in which the NATO ally does not fully deploy the S-400s, which Russia originally built to target Western jets. &nbsp;

"Our policy vis-a-vis the S-400s has not changed," State Department spokesman Ned Price said, when asked about the Turkish proposal. &nbsp;

"Russian S-400s are incompatible with NATO equipment, they threaten the security of NATO technology and they are inconsistent with Turkey's commitments as a NATO ally," he told reporters. &nbsp;

“We have and continue to urge Turkey not to retain this system." &nbsp;

Akar drew a parallel to historic rival Greece, which bought Russia's older S-300 system after Turkish threats to attack Cyprus but did not make them fully operational. &nbsp;

US officials downplayed the parallel, saying the S-400 was a more advanced system. &nbsp;

Turkey went ahead with the purchase despite warnings from the United States, which under former president Donald Trump booted Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet programme and imposed sanctions on Turkey's military procurement agency. &nbsp;

President Joe Biden before the election vowed to toughen the US stance on Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he has described as an autocrat. &nbsp;

The Biden administration has already spoken out on its concerns over detentions and homophobic comments as Turkish authorities crack down on student demonstrators. &nbsp;

Appearing to reject an offer by Turkey to avoid sanctions, the United States renewed its call on Ankara to get rid of an advanced Russian air defense system on Wednesday.

Appearing to reject an offer by Turkey to avoid sanctions, the United States renewed its call on Ankara to get rid of an advanced Russian air defense system on Wednesday. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar in an interview this week proposed a compromise in which the NATO ally does not fully deploy the S-400s, which Russia originally built to target Western jets. "Our policy vis-a-vis the S-400s has not changed," State Department spokesman Ned Price said, when asked about the Turkish proposal. "Russian S-400s are incompatible with NATO equipment, they threaten the security of NATO technology and they are inconsistent with Turkey's commitments as a NATO ally," he told reporters. “We have and continue to urge Turkey not to retain this system." Akar drew a parallel to historic rival Greece, which bought Russia's older S-300 system after Turkish threats to attack Cyprus but did not make them fully operational. US officials downplayed the parallel, saying the S-400 was a more advanced system. Turkey went ahead with the purchase despite warnings from the United States, which under former president Donald Trump booted Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet programme and imposed sanctions on Turkey's military procurement agency. President Joe Biden before the election vowed to toughen the US stance on Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he has described as an autocrat. The Biden administration has already spoken out on its concerns over detentions and homophobic comments as Turkish authorities crack down on student demonstrators.

Dump Russian missile system, US tells Turkey again

Police kept the protesters some 300 meters away from the embassy and also tried to prevent journalists from covering the protest

Uighurs stage protest outside Chinese Embassy in Turkey

Another monolith has mysteriously appeared in southeastern Turkey, and authorities are searching for clues that may give more insight into its manifestation at the place.

The monolith, 3 metres high (about 10 feet), was discovered near the UNESCO World Heritage site named Gobekli Tepe. It has megalithic structures dating to the 10th millennium BC, thousands of years before Stonehenge. The metal block was found by a farmer Friday in Sanliurfa province.

Gendarmes were looking through CCTV footage and investigating vehicles that may have transported the monolith.

According to local media reports, the shiny metal monolith is inscribed in an script with the phrase "If you want to see the moon, look at the sky."

Security forces were called to the scene as curious locals sought to get a look at the monolith, which resembles a mysterious object which appeared in a desert in Utah in America last year, but then vanished.

Other mysterious monoliths have popped up and some have disappeared in numerous countries in recent months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-trips-across-the-world-monolith-makes-india-debut-353647">Also read |&nbsp;After trips across the world, monolith makes India debut</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/monolith-christmas-edition-because-this-one-is-made-of-gingerbread-352528">Also read |&nbsp;Monolith Christmas edition? Because this one is made of Gingerbread</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-monolith-pops-up-in-texas-this-time-348451">Also read |&nbsp;Another monolith pops up, in Texas this time</a>

Another monolith has mysteriously appeared in southeastern Turkey, and authorities are searching for clues that may give more insight into its manifestation at the place.

Another monolith has mysteriously appeared in southeastern Turkey, and authorities are searching for clues that may give more insight into its manifestation at the place. The monolith, 3 metres high (about 10 feet), was discovered near the UNESCO World Heritage site named Gobekli Tepe. It has megalithic structures dating to the 10th millennium BC, thousands of years before Stonehenge. The metal block was found by a farmer Friday in Sanliurfa province. Gendarmes were looking through CCTV footage and investigating vehicles that may have transported the monolith. According to local media reports, the shiny metal monolith is inscribed in an script with the phrase "If you want to see the moon, look at the sky." Security forces were called to the scene as curious locals sought to get a look at the monolith, which resembles a mysterious object which appeared in a desert in Utah in America last year, but then vanished. Other mysterious monoliths have popped up and some have disappeared in numerous countries in recent months. Also read | After trips across the world, monolith makes India debut Also read | Monolith Christmas edition? Because this one is made of Gingerbread Also read | Another monolith pops up, in Texas this time

Mysterious monolith pops up near Turkish world heritage site

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's top rival in Turkey's 2018 election said on Monday he would quit the main opposition party and establish his own movement.

Muharrem Ince, a former Republican People's Party (CHP) MP, picked up 30.6 per cent of the vote in the last election behind Erdogan with 52.6 per cent.

Ince was a combative force during the campaign, building up solid support despite Erdogan and his ruling party's alliance partner, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), announcing the vote just months in advance.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-talks-tough-over-turkeys-s-400-russian-missile-system-purchase-361732">US talks tough over Turkey's S-400 Russian missile system purchase</a>

Since then, Ince has stayed in the limelight and brandished his secular, nationalist credentials in a nationwide tour dubbed the "Motherland movement in 1,000 days" in 2020.

"I am taking a different path," Ince told reporters in Ankara in front of an image of modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Ataturk was also the founder of the CHP, but some within the party have rebelled against its current leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

They include three former CHP MPs who resigned last month from the party, expressing their displeasure with its direction.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-continues-to-detain-student-protesters-despite-us-condemnation-361433">Turkey continues to detain student protesters despite US condemnation</a>

They are expected to join Ince's new party, and he implied there could be others.

Ince promised to unveil the name and logo of his new party "soon".

"We're going to present an opportunity for Turkey, a way out, a choice. We're going to create a free Turkey," Ince said in a fiery performance.

He took aim at the CHP and its leadership, criticising the party's objections to Turkey's actions in the region and its backing of Azerbaijan in its war with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Ince appeared to indicate he would run for the presidency again by insisting he would get "50 per cent plus one" of the vote, which is the margin needed to become president in the first round.

The next presidential election is expected in June 2023.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's top rival in Turkey's 2018 election said on Monday he would quit the main opposition party and establish his own movement. Muharrem Ince, a former Republican People's Party (CHP) MP, picked up 30.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's top rival in Turkey's 2018 election said on Monday he would quit the main opposition party and establish his own movement. Muharrem Ince, a former Republican People's Party (CHP) MP, picked up 30.6 per cent of the vote in the last election behind Erdogan with 52.6 per cent. Ince was a combative force during the campaign, building up solid support despite Erdogan and his ruling party's alliance partner, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), announcing the vote just months in advance. Also read| US talks tough over Turkey's S-400 Russian missile system purchase Since then, Ince has stayed in the limelight and brandished his secular, nationalist credentials in a nationwide tour dubbed the "Motherland movement in 1,000 days" in 2020. "I am taking a different path," Ince told reporters in Ankara in front of an image of modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Ataturk was also the founder of the CHP, but some within the party have rebelled against its current leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. They include three former CHP MPs who resigned last month from the party, expressing their displeasure with its direction. Also read| Turkey continues to detain student protesters despite US condemnation They are expected to join Ince's new party, and he implied there could be others. Ince promised to unveil the name and logo of his new party "soon". "We're going to present an opportunity for Turkey, a way out, a choice. We're going to create a free Turkey," Ince said in a fiery performance. He took aim at the CHP and its leadership, criticising the party's objections to Turkey's actions in the region and its backing of Azerbaijan in its war with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Ince appeared to indicate he would run for the presidency again by insisting he would get "50 per cent plus one" of the vote, which is the margin needed to become president in the first round. The next presidential election is expected in June 2023.

Erdogan's main election rival to launch party

Turkish army released footage on Saturday (February 6) of soldiers battling snow at a military base in freezing temperatures.

Turkish soldiers' battle against snow

US government under President Joe Biden has maintained tough stance against Turkey over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense system. US has maintained its tough position since Donald Trump presidency. Trump had imposed sanctions on Turkey over the issue.&nbsp;

"Our position has not changed," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters. "We urge Turkey not to retain the S-400 system."

Turkey had made the purchase from Russia after talks with the US to purchase US Patriots systems failed. Turkey bout the Russian system in 2019. It was in talks with the US for missile purchase during Barack Obama presidency.

It took delivery of the $2.5 billion S-400 system in defiance of warnings that such military cooperation was incompatible with NATO and would let Russia improve its targeting of Western planes.

In retaliation, Washington banned all US export licenses and loan credits for Turkey's military procurement agency, the Presidency of Defense Industries.

"Turkey is a longstanding and valued NATO ally, but their decision to purchase the S-400 is inconsistent with Turkey's commitments as a US and NATO ally," Kirby continued during a press briefing.

"Turkey had multiple opportunities over the last decade to purchase the Patriot defense system from the United States and instead chose to purchase the S-400, which provides Russia revenue, access and influence," he noted.&nbsp;

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had expressed hope in January about the country rejoining the F-35 fighter jet development program. But contact between Turkey and Joe Biden administration has been minimal.

(With AFP inputs)

US government under President Joe Biden has maintained tough stance against Turkey over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense system. US has maintained its tough position since Donald Trump presidency.

US government under President Joe Biden has maintained tough stance against Turkey over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense system. US has maintained its tough position since Donald Trump presidency. Trump had imposed sanctions on Turkey over the issue. "Our position has not changed," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters. "We urge Turkey not to retain the S-400 system." Turkey had made the purchase from Russia after talks with the US to purchase US Patriots systems failed. Turkey bout the Russian system in 2019. It was in talks with the US for missile purchase during Barack Obama presidency. It took delivery of the $2.5 billion S-400 system in defiance of warnings that such military cooperation was incompatible with NATO and would let Russia improve its targeting of Western planes. In retaliation, Washington banned all US export licenses and loan credits for Turkey's military procurement agency, the Presidency of Defense Industries. "Turkey is a longstanding and valued NATO ally, but their decision to purchase the S-400 is inconsistent with Turkey's commitments as a US and NATO ally," Kirby continued during a press briefing. "Turkey had multiple opportunities over the last decade to purchase the Patriot defense system from the United States and instead chose to purchase the S-400, which provides Russia revenue, access and influence," he noted. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had expressed hope in January about the country rejoining the F-35 fighter jet development program. But contact between Turkey and Joe Biden administration has been minimal. (With AFP inputs)

US talks tough over Turkey's S-400 Russian missile system purchase

Turkish police detained dozens of protesters on Thursday (February 4) demonstrating against Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's appointment of a new rector to Istanbul's Bogazici University.

Turkish police detains dozens protesting against Erdogan appointed rector

Dozens of protesters detained on Thursday after Turkey brushed aside the US criticism of Ankara's approach of a crackdown on student demonstrations.&nbsp;

The latest detentions come as Erdogan stresses that he will not let the month-long student protests at Turkish university take the shape of anti-government protests in 2013, describing the demonstrators as "terrorists".

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-turkish-students-protest-against-erdogan-355244/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On Thursday, news agency AFP reported that police used riot shields and batons on protesters participating at an unsanctioned event in Istanbul.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-tells-us-not-to-interfere-in-its-internal-matters-361291">Turkey tells US not to interfere in its internal matters</a>

The students are protesting against the government's decision to appoint Erdogan supporter Melih Bulu to head Turkey's prestigious Bogazici University last month.&nbsp;

Bulu's appointment is seen by many as Erdogan's attempt to take control of various institutions across the country.&nbsp;

Over 250 people were detained in Istanbul this week and 69 in Ankara.

More than 500 people have been detained in the past month across the country.&nbsp;

The United States on Wednesday expressed its concern over the detention of students and the use of LGBTQI rhetoric for the protesters.&nbsp;

Ankara responded to the US with the Turkish foreign ministry saying on Thursday that "those who dare to teach a lesson of democracy and law... to look in the mirror".

Turkey's interior minister on Tuesday described the protesters "LGBT deviants" on Twitter, which led to the social media platform put a rare warning on his comment.

The European Union said it was "seriously concerned" by the latest developments in Turkey and called for the release of protesters who are "arbitrarily detained".

Dozens of protesters detained on Thursday after Turkey brushed aside the US criticism of Ankara's approach of a crackdown on student demonstrations. The latest detentions come as Erdogan stresses that he will not let the month-long student protests at Turkish university take the shape of anti-government protests in 2013, describing the demonstrators as "terrorists".

Dozens of protesters detained on Thursday after Turkey brushed aside the US criticism of Ankara's approach of a crackdown on student demonstrations. The latest detentions come as Erdogan stresses that he will not let the month-long student protests at Turkish university take the shape of anti-government protests in 2013, describing the demonstrators as "terrorists". Watch | On Thursday, news agency AFP reported that police used riot shields and batons on protesters participating at an unsanctioned event in Istanbul. Also read | Turkey tells US not to interfere in its internal matters The students are protesting against the government's decision to appoint Erdogan supporter Melih Bulu to head Turkey's prestigious Bogazici University last month. Bulu's appointment is seen by many as Erdogan's attempt to take control of various institutions across the country. Over 250 people were detained in Istanbul this week and 69 in Ankara. More than 500 people have been detained in the past month across the country. The United States on Wednesday expressed its concern over the detention of students and the use of LGBTQI rhetoric for the protesters. Ankara responded to the US with the Turkish foreign ministry saying on Thursday that "those who dare to teach a lesson of democracy and law... to look in the mirror". Turkey's interior minister on Tuesday described the protesters "LGBT deviants" on Twitter, which led to the social media platform put a rare warning on his comment. The European Union said it was "seriously concerned" by the latest developments in Turkey and called for the release of protesters who are "arbitrarily detained".

Turkey continues to detain student protesters despite US condemnation

Greek restorer Venizelos Gavrilakis uses microscopes, cotton swabs and a delicate touch to bring artefacts back to life in churches in Istanbul, where concerns have grown about the preservation of its Byzantine history.

Greek restorer tends to Istanbul church artefacts that 'live through centuries'

Turkey rejected USA's criticism over its mass detentions of students. Turkey has been witnessing student protests for about a month. It told Washington to not to interfere in its internal affairs.

Hundreds of students and their supporters were detained this week after police violently cracked down on protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's appointment last month of a loyalist as rector of Istanbul's elite Bogazici University.

On Wednesday, Erdogan criticised LGBT movement's role in student rallies and said that some of the student protesters were "terrorists".

The US State Department called Erdogan's "rhetoric" unacceptable, urging Turkey to embrace protests and "even speech that some may find uncomfortable".

The Turkish foreign ministry responded on Thursday by saying it would "advise those who dare to teach a lesson of democracy and law... to look in the mirror".

"No one should dare to interfere in Turkey's domestic affairs," it said in a statement.

But the statement responded only to Washington's criticism of the detentions, without referring to Erdogan's comments about the LGBT movement.

Erdogan on Wednesday said there was "no such thing" as LGBT, adding: "This country is... moral, and it will walk to the future with these values."

(With AFP inputs)

Turkey rejected USA's criticism over its mass detentions of students. Turkey has been witnessing student protests for about a month. It told Washington to not to interfere in its internal affairs.

Turkey rejected USA's criticism over its mass detentions of students. Turkey has been witnessing student protests for about a month. It told Washington to not to interfere in its internal affairs. Hundreds of students and their supporters were detained this week after police violently cracked down on protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's appointment last month of a loyalist as rector of Istanbul's elite Bogazici University. On Wednesday, Erdogan criticised LGBT movement's role in student rallies and said that some of the student protesters were "terrorists". The US State Department called Erdogan's "rhetoric" unacceptable, urging Turkey to embrace protests and "even speech that some may find uncomfortable". The Turkish foreign ministry responded on Thursday by saying it would "advise those who dare to teach a lesson of democracy and law... to look in the mirror". "No one should dare to interfere in Turkey's domestic affairs," it said in a statement. But the statement responded only to Washington's criticism of the detentions, without referring to Erdogan's comments about the LGBT movement. Erdogan on Wednesday said there was "no such thing" as LGBT, adding: "This country is... moral, and it will walk to the future with these values." (With AFP inputs)

Turkey tells US not to interfere in its internal matters

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has denounced student protesters as “terrorists” and vowed to crack down on demonstrations opposing the appointment of a government loyalist to head Istanbul’s most prestigious university.

Erdogan vows crack down on demonstrations in Istanbul

Twitter on Tuesday slapped a second "hateful conduct" warning in just days on a message from Turkey's interior minister condemning the LGBT community's role in month-long student protests.

Turkey has been hit by weeks of rallies across major campuses against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's appointment of a loyalist to head Istanbul's prestigious Bogazici University at the start of the year.

Police detained 159 students after storming a protest staged inside the fenced-off campus on Monday night.

AFP reporters saw plain clothes police make more arrests as students tried to march along a central street in the capital Ankara on Tuesday.

The standoff over the rector gained a new dimension when someone hung a poster near his office depicting Islam's holiest site with pictures of the LGBT rainbow flag last week.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu tweeted on Saturday that "four LGBT freaks" had been detained for "inciting hatred" with their poster.

Twitter hid that message under a warning that it violated the platform's "rules about hateful conduct" -- the same thing it did to tweets from former US President Donald Trump before banning him last month.

Soylu posted a new message on Tuesday asking why Turkey should "tolerate LGBT deviants".

Twitter hid that message under another "hateful content" warning that requires an extra click to see what the minister said.

The offending messages also cannot be retweeted.

Twitter has been one of the few platforms to resist a new Turkish requirement for social media giants to appoint local representatives who can quickly follow court orders to take down contentious posts.

Turkey hit Twitter with an advertising ban as punishment last month.

Twitter's continued resistance could make it effectively inaccessible inside Turkey should officials follow through on threats to cut off its bandwidth by 90 percent in May. 
&nbsp;

Twitter on Tuesday slapped a second "hateful conduct" warning in just days on a message from Turkey's interior minister condemning the LGBT community's role in month-long student protests.

Twitter on Tuesday slapped a second "hateful conduct" warning in just days on a message from Turkey's interior minister condemning the LGBT community's role in month-long student protests. Turkey has been hit by weeks of rallies across major campuses against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's appointment of a loyalist to head Istanbul's prestigious Bogazici University at the start of the year. Police detained 159 students after storming a protest staged inside the fenced-off campus on Monday night. AFP reporters saw plain clothes police make more arrests as students tried to march along a central street in the capital Ankara on Tuesday. The standoff over the rector gained a new dimension when someone hung a poster near his office depicting Islam's holiest site with pictures of the LGBT rainbow flag last week. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu tweeted on Saturday that "four LGBT freaks" had been detained for "inciting hatred" with their poster. Twitter hid that message under a warning that it violated the platform's "rules about hateful conduct" -- the same thing it did to tweets from former US President Donald Trump before banning him last month. Soylu posted a new message on Tuesday asking why Turkey should "tolerate LGBT deviants". Twitter hid that message under another "hateful content" warning that requires an extra click to see what the minister said. The offending messages also cannot be retweeted. Twitter has been one of the few platforms to resist a new Turkish requirement for social media giants to appoint local representatives who can quickly follow court orders to take down contentious posts. Turkey hit Twitter with an advertising ban as punishment last month. Twitter's continued resistance could make it effectively inaccessible inside Turkey should officials follow through on threats to cut off its bandwidth by 90 percent in May.

Twitter flags Turkish minister's 'hateful' LGBT posts

Turkish President&nbsp;Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at country's LGBT movement and accused it of "vandalism". He also said that the movement was distancing his party's youth from its cause. His comments came after Turkish police detained four people for depicting Islam's holy sites with pictures of LGBT flag amid student protests. Students organised more protests after Erdogan's remarks

"We will carry our young people to the future, not as the LGBT youth, but as the youth that existed in our nation's glorious past," Erdogan said during a televised video linkup with members of his ruling AK Party.

"You are not the LGBT youth, not the youth who commit acts of vandalism. On the contrary, you are the ones who repair broken hearts," he said.

Erdogan receives accusation of driving officially secular Turkish nation on a conservative path in last two decades.

Homosexuality has been legal throughout modern Turkey's history.

But gay people often face harassment, and LGBT events -- including Istanbul Pride -- have been blocked under Erdogan.

Turkey was hit by a wave of student protests last month after Erdogan appointed a loyalist as the head of Istanbul's prestigious Bogazici University.

They spread to some other universities before subsiding after the deployment of a heavy Turkish police presence around campuses and on the streets.

During one demonstration last Friday protestors hung an artwork opposite the new rector's office depicting the holy site in Mecca and images of the LGBT movement's rainbow flag.

Turkish police accused four people of "inciting hatred in the population". Two of them have been remanded in custody and the other two placed under house arrest. 
Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu branded the suspects "four LGBT freaks".

(With AFP inputs)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at country's LGBT movement and accused it of "vandalism". He also said that the movement was distancing his party's youth from its cause.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at country's LGBT movement and accused it of "vandalism". He also said that the movement was distancing his party's youth from its cause. His comments came after Turkish police detained four people for depicting Islam's holy sites with pictures of LGBT flag amid student protests. Students organised more protests after Erdogan's remarks "We will carry our young people to the future, not as the LGBT youth, but as the youth that existed in our nation's glorious past," Erdogan said during a televised video linkup with members of his ruling AK Party. "You are not the LGBT youth, not the youth who commit acts of vandalism. On the contrary, you are the ones who repair broken hearts," he said. Erdogan receives accusation of driving officially secular Turkish nation on a conservative path in last two decades. Homosexuality has been legal throughout modern Turkey's history. But gay people often face harassment, and LGBT events -- including Istanbul Pride -- have been blocked under Erdogan. Turkey was hit by a wave of student protests last month after Erdogan appointed a loyalist as the head of Istanbul's prestigious Bogazici University. They spread to some other universities before subsiding after the deployment of a heavy Turkish police presence around campuses and on the streets. During one demonstration last Friday protestors hung an artwork opposite the new rector's office depicting the holy site in Mecca and images of the LGBT movement's rainbow flag. Turkish police accused four people of "inciting hatred in the population". Two of them have been remanded in custody and the other two placed under house arrest. Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu branded the suspects "four LGBT freaks". (With AFP inputs)

Turkish President Erdogan criticises country's 'LGBT youth'

Foreign forces in Libya ignored a pull out deadline set by a UN-backed ceasefire deal on Saturday. An unidentified US intelligence officer was quoted in news reports as saying that there was 'no intent' by Turkish or Russian forces to leave Libya and abide by the UN deal. The developments signify the fragility of peace efforts in Libya, which has seen a decade of conflict.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged all "regional and international actors to respect the provisions" of the October 23 ceasefire accord that set out a withdrawal within three months of all foreign troops and mercenaries.

That deadline passed on Saturday, with no movement announced or observed on the ground.

The UN estimates there are still some 20,000 foreign troops and mercenaries in Libya helping the warring factions, the UN-recognised Government of National Accord in Tripoli and military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east.

The GNA has received military support from Turkey. Haftar has the backing of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt as well as Russia.

On Friday, CNN broadcast satellite images showed that Russian proxies were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-huge-trench-by-russian-proxies-may-derail-peace-process-says-report-358600">digging a kilometres-long trench</a> from coastal areas near Site to their stronghold in al-Jufra. The objective appeared to be to fortify their positions against attacks from western parts of Libya held by internationally recognised Libyan government.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-huge-trench-by-russian-proxies-may-derail-peace-process-says-report-358600">Libya: Huge trench by Russian proxies may derail peace process, says report</a>

UN Secretary-General Guterres called on all parties to implement the terms of the ceasefire "without delay," something he noted "includes ensuring the departure of all foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya, and the full and unconditional respect of the Security Council arms embargo," which has been in place since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted and killed longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi.

(With AFP inputs)

Foreign forces in Libya ignored a pull out deadline set by a UN-backed ceasefire deal on Saturday. An unidentified US intelligence officer was quoted in news reports as saying that there was 'no intent' by Turkish or Russian forces to leave Libya and abide by the UN deal.

Foreign forces in Libya ignored a pull out deadline set by a UN-backed ceasefire deal on Saturday. An unidentified US intelligence officer was quoted in news reports as saying that there was 'no intent' by Turkish or Russian forces to leave Libya and abide by the UN deal. The developments signify the fragility of peace efforts in Libya, which has seen a decade of conflict. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged all "regional and international actors to respect the provisions" of the October 23 ceasefire accord that set out a withdrawal within three months of all foreign troops and mercenaries. That deadline passed on Saturday, with no movement announced or observed on the ground. The UN estimates there are still some 20,000 foreign troops and mercenaries in Libya helping the warring factions, the UN-recognised Government of National Accord in Tripoli and military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east. The GNA has received military support from Turkey. Haftar has the backing of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt as well as Russia. On Friday, CNN broadcast satellite images showed that Russian proxies were digging a kilometres-long trench from coastal areas near Site to their stronghold in al-Jufra. The objective appeared to be to fortify their positions against attacks from western parts of Libya held by internationally recognised Libyan government. Also Read | Libya: Huge trench by Russian proxies may derail peace process, says report UN Secretary-General Guterres called on all parties to implement the terms of the ceasefire "without delay," something he noted "includes ensuring the departure of all foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya, and the full and unconditional respect of the Security Council arms embargo," which has been in place since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted and killed longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi. (With AFP inputs)

Libya: Foreign forces ignore UN peace deal deadline

There won't be many people in the world who haven't heard of Hachiko -- the loyal dog who waited nine years at a train station for his dead owner to return.

Hachiko lived over 100 years ago in Japan. But his love for his owner lives on.

Hachiko's statue stands outside the Shibuya train station, telling the story of true love to everyone who passes by.

Another heartrending tale is that of a dog named Boncuk from Turkey.&nbsp;

The faithful dog waited for her owner outside a hospital in Turkey for almost a week until he was released after undergoing treatment for a brain condition.

The small, mix-breed dog was rewarded for her loyalty with an emotional reunion when 68-year-old Cemal Senturk finally left hospital in the northeastern city of Trabzon.

Senturk was taken to hospital on January 14 after a brain embolism.

Boncuk, whose name means "Beads" in reference to her hazel eyes, followed the ambulance, and immediately began her vigil outside the entrance, returning every morning thereafter. She was occasionally fed by hospital staff.

Senturk's daughter tried to take the dog home several times, but said that she kept running away to return to the hospital.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
only in turkiye 🥺🐶🥺 
 
a man was hospitalized in trabzon province of turkiye. and his dog waited his owner in front of the hospital for five days. some staff of the hospital took care of him while he was waiting. <a href="https://t.co/tzk8a1bQa2">pic.twitter.com/tzk8a1bQa2</a>
— the istanbulist (@istanbulism) <a href="https://twitter.com/istanbulism/status/1351621559623024643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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When Senturk finally left the hospital this week, an overjoyed Boncuk ran alongside his wheelchair, jumping up to be petted and wagging her tail.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
finaly, they came together. 😊 <a href="https://t.co/qP12L3st9M">pic.twitter.com/qP12L3st9M</a>
— the istanbulist (@istanbulism) <a href="https://twitter.com/istanbulism/status/1351621599057891330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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If Boncuk's story sparks a coversation at the dinner table -- about getting a pet, then let me give you some advice: adopt, don't shop.

These pets will love you just as much.

There won't be many people in the world who haven't heard of Hachiko -- the loyal dog who waited nine years at a train station for his dead owner to return. Hachiko lived over 100 years ago in Japan.

There won't be many people in the world who haven't heard of Hachiko -- the loyal dog who waited nine years at a train station for his dead owner to return. Hachiko lived over 100 years ago in Japan. But his love for his owner lives on. Hachiko's statue stands outside the Shibuya train station, telling the story of true love to everyone who passes by. Another heartrending tale is that of a dog named Boncuk from Turkey. The faithful dog waited for her owner outside a hospital in Turkey for almost a week until he was released after undergoing treatment for a brain condition. The small, mix-breed dog was rewarded for her loyalty with an emotional reunion when 68-year-old Cemal Senturk finally left hospital in the northeastern city of Trabzon. Senturk was taken to hospital on January 14 after a brain embolism. Boncuk, whose name means "Beads" in reference to her hazel eyes, followed the ambulance, and immediately began her vigil outside the entrance, returning every morning thereafter. She was occasionally fed by hospital staff. Senturk's daughter tried to take the dog home several times, but said that she kept running away to return to the hospital. only in turkiye 🥺🐶🥺 a man was hospitalized in trabzon province of turkiye. and his dog waited his owner in front of the hospital for five days. some staff of the hospital took care of him while he was waiting. pic.twitter.com/tzk8a1bQa2 — the istanbulist (@istanbulism) January 19, 2021 × When Senturk finally left the hospital this week, an overjoyed Boncuk ran alongside his wheelchair, jumping up to be petted and wagging her tail. finaly, they came together. 😊 pic.twitter.com/qP12L3st9M — the istanbulist (@istanbulism) January 19, 2021 × If Boncuk's story sparks a coversation at the dinner table -- about getting a pet, then let me give you some advice: adopt, don't shop. These pets will love you just as much.

This dog in Turkey waited six days outside a hospital for owner to return

Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority has imposed advertising bans on Twitter, Periscope and Pinterest under a new social media law, according to decisions published in the countrý's Official Gazette on Tuesday.

Under the law, which critics say stifles dissent, social media companies that do not appoint such representatives are liable for a series of penalties, including the latest move by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK).

The law allows authorities to remove content from platforms, rather than blocking access as they did in the past. It has caused concern as people turn more to online platforms after Ankara tightened its grip on mainstream media.

The latest decisions in the country's Official Gazette said the advertising bans went into effect from Tuesday. Twitter, its live-streaming app Periscope, and image sharing app Pinterest were not immediately available to comment.

Deputy Transport Minister Omer Fatih Sayan said Twitter and Pinterest's bandwidth would be cut by 50 per cent&nbsp;in April and by 90&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in May. Twitter said last month it would shut down Periscope by March due to declining usage.

"We are determined to do whatever is necessary to protect the data, privacy and rights of our nation," Sayan said on Twitter. "We will never allow digital fascism and disregard of rules to prevail in Turkey," he said, echoing tough comments by President Tayyip Erdogan.

On Monday, Facebook Inc joined other companies in saying it would appoint a local representative but added it would withdraw the person if it faced pressure regarding what is allowed on its platform.

YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc's Google, said a month ago it would abide by the new law, which the government says enhances local oversight of foreign companies.

In previous months Facebook, YouTube and Twitter had faced fines in Turkey for not complying. Companies that do not abide by the law will ultimately have their bandwidth slashed, essentially blocking access.

Erdogan said last week that those who control data can establish "digital dictatorships by disregarding democracy, the law, rights and freedoms". He vowed to defend what he described as the country's "cyber homeland".

Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority has imposed advertising bans on Twitter, Periscope and Pinterest under a new social media law, according to decisions published in the countrý's Official Gazette on Tuesday.

Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority has imposed advertising bans on Twitter, Periscope and Pinterest under a new social media law, according to decisions published in the countrý's Official Gazette on Tuesday. Under the law, which critics say stifles dissent, social media companies that do not appoint such representatives are liable for a series of penalties, including the latest move by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK). The law allows authorities to remove content from platforms, rather than blocking access as they did in the past. It has caused concern as people turn more to online platforms after Ankara tightened its grip on mainstream media. The latest decisions in the country's Official Gazette said the advertising bans went into effect from Tuesday. Twitter, its live-streaming app Periscope, and image sharing app Pinterest were not immediately available to comment. Deputy Transport Minister Omer Fatih Sayan said Twitter and Pinterest's bandwidth would be cut by 50 per cent in April and by 90 per cent in May. Twitter said last month it would shut down Periscope by March due to declining usage. "We are determined to do whatever is necessary to protect the data, privacy and rights of our nation," Sayan said on Twitter. "We will never allow digital fascism and disregard of rules to prevail in Turkey," he said, echoing tough comments by President Tayyip Erdogan. On Monday, Facebook Inc joined other companies in saying it would appoint a local representative but added it would withdraw the person if it faced pressure regarding what is allowed on its platform. YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc's Google, said a month ago it would abide by the new law, which the government says enhances local oversight of foreign companies. In previous months Facebook, YouTube and Twitter had faced fines in Turkey for not complying. Companies that do not abide by the law will ultimately have their bandwidth slashed, essentially blocking access. Erdogan said last week that those who control data can establish "digital dictatorships by disregarding democracy, the law, rights and freedoms". He vowed to defend what he described as the country's "cyber homeland".

Turkey slaps ad ban on Twitter under new social media law

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking to mend Turkey's ties with European Union sensing a hostile US under Joe Biden administration. Relations between Ankara and Brussells are at a low.

And while Erdogan speaks of turning "a new page", the list of European grievances is long. Most recently, Brussels began drawing up a list of sanctions over Turkey's hunt for natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean, which triggered a naval standoff with Greece last year. But older suspicions simmer.

Erdogan's direct military interventions in the Syrian and Libyan conflicts raised hackles in Europe, while his vocal backing of Azerbaijan in the six-week Nagorno-Karabakh war upset Armenia's allies across the West.

Erdogan's threats to send millions of Syrian and other refugees Turkey is hosting to Europe if the bloc fails to provide more funding are a constant menace.

'Looking for friends'

Turkey is heavily dependent on Europe. EU member states accounted for 67.2 per cent of foreign direct investment in Turket from 2002 to 2018

With foreign sentiment dented, the Turkish lira lost a fifth of its value against the dollar last year, forcing the central bank to burn through most of its reserves trying to prop up the currency. 
Then Erdogan parted ways with his powerful son-in-law, who served as finance minister and bore the blame for Turkey's economic woes.

A few days later, Erdogan first mentioned reforms and "turning a new page" in relations with Europe.

"Erdogan is looking for friends anywhere and everywhere," said Ilke Toygur, an analyst at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, and Elcano Royal Institute.

Donald Trump called Erdogan a "good friend". His loss ti Biden is understood to be the reason behind shift in Erdogan's tone.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking to mend Turkey's ties with European Union sensing a hostile US under Joe Biden administration. Relations between Ankara and Brussells are at a low.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking to mend Turkey's ties with European Union sensing a hostile US under Joe Biden administration. Relations between Ankara and Brussells are at a low. And while Erdogan speaks of turning "a new page", the list of European grievances is long. Most recently, Brussels began drawing up a list of sanctions over Turkey's hunt for natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean, which triggered a naval standoff with Greece last year. But older suspicions simmer. Erdogan's direct military interventions in the Syrian and Libyan conflicts raised hackles in Europe, while his vocal backing of Azerbaijan in the six-week Nagorno-Karabakh war upset Armenia's allies across the West. Erdogan's threats to send millions of Syrian and other refugees Turkey is hosting to Europe if the bloc fails to provide more funding are a constant menace. 'Looking for friends' Turkey is heavily dependent on Europe. EU member states accounted for 67.2 per cent of foreign direct investment in Turket from 2002 to 2018 With foreign sentiment dented, the Turkish lira lost a fifth of its value against the dollar last year, forcing the central bank to burn through most of its reserves trying to prop up the currency. Then Erdogan parted ways with his powerful son-in-law, who served as finance minister and bore the blame for Turkey's economic woes. A few days later, Erdogan first mentioned reforms and "turning a new page" in relations with Europe. "Erdogan is looking for friends anywhere and everywhere," said Ilke Toygur, an analyst at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, and Elcano Royal Institute. Donald Trump called Erdogan a "good friend". His loss ti Biden is understood to be the reason behind shift in Erdogan's tone.

Erdogan seeks to mend ties with EU sensing a hostile US

Major cities across Turkey could run out of water. Poor rainfall has led to a severe drought. Taps in Istanbul could run dry in 45 days.

Gravitas: Istanbul could run out of water in 45 days

Turkey is facing a major drought situation as the country's water levels are at a critically low level. Experts blame it on the Erdogan government's policies.

Turkey's water reservoirs at their lowest levels in 15 years

Turkey is facing a major drought situation as the country's water levels are at a critically low level. Experts blame it on the Erdogan government's policies. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Major cities in the country are facing serious water shortages. Poor rainfall has led to a dry winter season and the country is staring at its most severe drought in a decade.&nbsp;

Without rainfall, some reservoirs could run out within months. Istanbul has about 45 days of water left. The city of 17 million people is struggling with water reservoirs at their lowest levels in 15 years, on the other hand, the capital city of Ankara has about 110 days.

Officials warn that the situation is dangerous and there is no solution in sight. Turkey has always been a 'water-stressed' country. This is when the demand exceeds the available amount of water. For decades, Turkey has faced several severe droughts. Most of them were caused by a combination of factors. Population growth, industrialisation, and climate change.

While the warning signs have been apparent, Turkey has chosen to ignore them over the years. It has long prioritised economic growth over environmental concerns. Vital water basins have given way to developmental projects. Forests and agricultural lands have been cleared and urban infrastructures have taken their place.&nbsp;

While many hold climate change responsible, experts believe that the country's policies are also to blame. Turkey's growing population has been wasteful of water and very few steps have been taken to fix the damaged water cycle. &nbsp;

Authorities have now jumped in with conservation measures. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged for conservation. But it may be too late as saving and recycling water can only sustain for a few more months.&nbsp;

What turkey ultimately needs is a lot of rainfall or else the country will be left to ration water soon. But turkey's story is just the tip of the iceberg. A quarter of the world's major cities face water stress and many cities could risk running out of water soon.&nbsp;

While Cairo is situated on the banks of the Nile, the city may face critical water shortages by 2025.

Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Tokyo, and Moscow are all dealing with the same problem.&nbsp;

As for India, major cities like Delhi and Chennai deal with water shortage every year.&nbsp;

Turkey is facing a major drought situation as the country's water levels are at a critically low level. Experts blame it on the Erdogan government's policies. Major cities in the country are facing serious water shortages.

Turkey is facing a major drought situation as the country's water levels are at a critically low level. Experts blame it on the Erdogan government's policies. Major cities in the country are facing serious water shortages. Poor rainfall has led to a dry winter season and the country is staring at its most severe drought in a decade. Without rainfall, some reservoirs could run out within months. Istanbul has about 45 days of water left. The city of 17 million people is struggling with water reservoirs at their lowest levels in 15 years, on the other hand, the capital city of Ankara has about 110 days. Officials warn that the situation is dangerous and there is no solution in sight. Turkey has always been a 'water-stressed' country. This is when the demand exceeds the available amount of water. For decades, Turkey has faced several severe droughts. Most of them were caused by a combination of factors. Population growth, industrialisation, and climate change. While the warning signs have been apparent, Turkey has chosen to ignore them over the years. It has long prioritised economic growth over environmental concerns. Vital water basins have given way to developmental projects. Forests and agricultural lands have been cleared and urban infrastructures have taken their place. While many hold climate change responsible, experts believe that the country's policies are also to blame. Turkey's growing population has been wasteful of water and very few steps have been taken to fix the damaged water cycle. Authorities have now jumped in with conservation measures. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged for conservation. But it may be too late as saving and recycling water can only sustain for a few more months. What turkey ultimately needs is a lot of rainfall or else the country will be left to ration water soon. But turkey's story is just the tip of the iceberg. A quarter of the world's major cities face water stress and many cities could risk running out of water soon. While Cairo is situated on the banks of the Nile, the city may face critical water shortages by 2025. Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Tokyo, and Moscow are all dealing with the same problem. As for India, major cities like Delhi and Chennai deal with water shortage every year.

Turkey Drought: Country's water reservoirs at their lowest levels in 15 years

The three sides will exchange views on new and emerging threats to regional peace and security, the challenges caused by COVID-19, environment, Climate Change and economic development targets.

Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan FMs to hold trilateral meeting in Islamabad today

Istanbul's students protest against Erdogan-appointed university rector

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