Israel is working for the release of an Israeli couple being held in Turkey, denying allegations carried by Turkish media that the two were spies, says Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett.

Israeli couple held on espionage charges in Turkey, PM Naftali Bennett refutes charges

<p>Making a typo may lead to an apology in most parts of the world but Turkey seems to be an exception where a woman has been jailed for an error in a report. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In a case being denounced as an “appalling” political persecution, the wife of a jailed Kurdish politician has been sentenced to jail for two-and-a-half years over a mistake in a medical report on a miscarriage. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-ps24mn-insurance-payout-man-gets-legs-cut-off-under-train-ends-up-with-jail-sentence-fine-428703" hreflang="en">For £2.4mn insurance payout, man gets legs cut off under train, ends up with jail sentence, fine</a></strong></p>

<p>For submitting an error-ridden medical report, a court in Diyarbakır has given sentences of 30 months each for Başak Demirtaş, a teacher and her doctor on Thursday, reported a local Kurdish news agency. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The case had begun in March 2018. The case relates to hospital admissions and two surgeries for a miscarriage suffered by Demirtaş in 2015. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per her legal team, the teacher has been charged with fraud after a doctor’s note for medical leave of five days from work was issued during an appointment on December 11, 2015, but mistakenly dated as December 14, four days later. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-country-has-made-it-illegal-for-bosses-to-call-employees-after-office-hours-428679" hreflang="en">This country has made it illegal for bosses to call employees after office hours</a></strong></p>

<p>For the second half of the 2015-16 school year, Demirtaş took unpaid leave to recover. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Although the court board ruled that the hospital record book showing the dates she attended should be submitted as evidence to show the mistake was made, it gave the sentence without looking at it, Demirtas’s lawyers said after the ruling. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Making a typo may lead to an apology in most parts of the world but Turkey seems to be an exception where a woman has been jailed for an error in a report. In a case being denounced as an “appalling” political persecution, the wife of a jailed Kurdish politician has been sentenced to jail for two-and-a-half years over a mistake in a medical report on a miscarriage.

Making a typo may lead to an apology in most parts of the world but Turkey seems to be an exception where a woman has been jailed for an error in a report. In a case being denounced as an “appalling” political persecution, the wife of a jailed Kurdish politician has been sentenced to jail for two-and-a-half years over a mistake in a medical report on a miscarriage. Also Read: For £2.4mn insurance payout, man gets legs cut off under train, ends up with jail sentence, fine For submitting an error-ridden medical report, a court in Diyarbakır has given sentences of 30 months each for Başak Demirtaş, a teacher and her doctor on Thursday, reported a local Kurdish news agency. The case had begun in March 2018. The case relates to hospital admissions and two surgeries for a miscarriage suffered by Demirtaş in 2015. As per her legal team, the teacher has been charged with fraud after a doctor’s note for medical leave of five days from work was issued during an appointment on December 11, 2015, but mistakenly dated as December 14, four days later. Also Read: This country has made it illegal for bosses to call employees after office hours For the second half of the 2015-16 school year, Demirtaş took unpaid leave to recover. Although the court board ruled that the hospital record book showing the dates she attended should be submitted as evidence to show the mistake was made, it gave the sentence without looking at it, Demirtas’s lawyers said after the ruling. (With inputs from agencies)

Grave mistake? Kurdish politician’s wife gets jail for a typo in miscarriage form in Turkey

<p>Belarusian state-run airline on Friday banned citizens from Iraq, Syria and Yemen from boarding incoming Turkey flights at the request of Turkish authorities amid a migrant standoff between Belarus and Poland</p>

<p>“In line with a decision by the … Turkish authorities, citizens of Iraq, Syria, Yemen will not be accepted for transportation on flights from Turkey to Belarus from 12.11.2021,” Belavia said in a statement on Friday.</p>

<p>The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the statement, saying flight tickets to Minsk would not be sold to people from the three countries from Turkey.</p>

<p>The move comes amid tense border stand-off between Belarus and Poland, where thousands of migrants, mostly from war-torn parts of Iraq, Syria and Yemen, fleeing conflict, persecution or poverty are stranded.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tensions-escalate-at-poland-belarus-border-as-migrants-face-dire-conditions-428576">Poland accuses Lukashenko’s regime of 'hybrid attack' amid migrant crisis</a></p>

<p>Many aim to reach Germany or other western European countries, to reunite with relatives already settled there. In recent months, Belarus had become a favourable a route for migrants and refugees trying to enter the European Union.</p>

<p>Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, which are all part of the EU, have seen a surge in the number of people trying to enter their countries illegally from Belarus in recent months.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tensions-escalate-at-poland-belarus-border-as-migrants-face-dire-conditions-428576">Tensions escalate at Poland-Belarus border as migrants face dire conditions</a></p>

<p>The European Union, the United States and NATO have accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko&nbsp;of manufacturing a migrant crisis on the EU's eastern frontier as retribution for sanctions over human rights abuses.</p>

<p>Stranded people are facing "catastrophic" conditions in freezing forests and makeshift camps at the border, according to CNN. Temperatures at the Poland-Belarus border drop below freezing at night.</p>

<p>German federal police on Wednesday reported that 1,246 unauthorised entries to Germany “with a connection to Belarus” had been recorded in the first nine days of November. In all, there have been 9,087 such entries so far this year, German police said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-masterminding-the-migrant-crisis-at-poland-belarus-border-claims-polish-pm-428130">Putin masterminding the migrant crisis at Poland-Belarus border, claims Polish PM</a></p>

<p>Polish authorities said that a large number of people remain just across the border in neighbouring Belarus and Polish border guards continue to rebuff attempts to enter Poland illegally each day.</p>

<p>There are now hundreds of people, among them families with children, staying in makeshift camps on the Belarusian side of the border.</p>

<p>Attempts to cross have become increasingly dangerous as Poland fortifies its side of the border and pushes people back.</p>

<p><em>&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Belarusian state-run airline on Friday banned citizens from Iraq, Syria and Yemen from boarding incoming Turkey flights at the request of Turkish authorities amid a migrant standoff between Belarus and Poland “In line with a decision by the … Turkish authorities, citizens of Iraq, Syria, Yemen will not be accepted for transportation on flights from Turkey to Belarus from 12.

Belarusian state-run airline on Friday banned citizens from Iraq, Syria and Yemen from boarding incoming Turkey flights at the request of Turkish authorities amid a migrant standoff between Belarus and Poland “In line with a decision by the … Turkish authorities, citizens of Iraq, Syria, Yemen will not be accepted for transportation on flights from Turkey to Belarus from 12.11.2021,” Belavia said in a statement on Friday. The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the statement, saying flight tickets to Minsk would not be sold to people from the three countries from Turkey. The move comes amid tense border stand-off between Belarus and Poland, where thousands of migrants, mostly from war-torn parts of Iraq, Syria and Yemen, fleeing conflict, persecution or poverty are stranded. Also read | Poland accuses Lukashenko’s regime of 'hybrid attack' amid migrant crisis Many aim to reach Germany or other western European countries, to reunite with relatives already settled there. In recent months, Belarus had become a favourable a route for migrants and refugees trying to enter the European Union. Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, which are all part of the EU, have seen a surge in the number of people trying to enter their countries illegally from Belarus in recent months. Also read | Tensions escalate at Poland-Belarus border as migrants face dire conditions The European Union, the United States and NATO have accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of manufacturing a migrant crisis on the EU's eastern frontier as retribution for sanctions over human rights abuses. Stranded people are facing "catastrophic" conditions in freezing forests and makeshift camps at the border, according to CNN. Temperatures at the Poland-Belarus border drop below freezing at night. German federal police on Wednesday reported that 1,246 unauthorised entries to Germany “with a connection to Belarus” had been recorded in the first nine days of November. In all, there have been 9,087 such entries so far this year, German police said. Also read | Putin masterminding the migrant crisis at Poland-Belarus border, claims Polish PM Polish authorities said that a large number of people remain just across the border in neighbouring Belarus and Polish border guards continue to rebuff attempts to enter Poland illegally each day. There are now hundreds of people, among them families with children, staying in makeshift camps on the Belarusian side of the border. Attempts to cross have become increasingly dangerous as Poland fortifies its side of the border and pushes people back. (With inputs from agencies)

Belarus bans Iraqis, Syrians and Yemenis from boarding incoming Turkey flights to curb migrant crisis

Scores of colourful hot air balloons filled the skyline of Turkey's ancient Cappadocia region. A timelapse video captured the balloons as they painted over the unique volcanic-rock landscapes.

Hot air balloons colourful dance in Turkey's Cappadocia

Afghanistan migrants detained by Turkey and later sent to repatriation center located at the countries border.

Turkey detains over 150 Afghan migrants

US President Joe Biden met his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Biden told Erdogan his request for F-16 fighter jets had to go through a process in the United States and expressed a desire to handle disagreements between the two countries effectively.

Biden discuss F-16 fighter jets, raises human rights issue with Turkey's Erdogan

<p>US&nbsp;President Joe Biden will warn Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting on Sunday that any precipitous actions would not benefit US-Turkish relations and that crises should be avoided, a US&nbsp;official said on Saturday.</p>

<p>Erdogan earlier this month ordered 10 envoys, including the US&nbsp;ambassador, to be declared "persona non grata" for seeking the release of jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala, though he later withdrew the threat to expel them.</p>

<p>"Certainly the president will indicate that we need to find a way to avoid crises like that one going forward and precipitous action is not going to benefit the US-Turkey partnership and alliance," the US&nbsp;official told reporters.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fatf-puts-turkey-on-grey-list-pakistan-to-remain-on-grey-list-422766"><strong>FATF puts Turkey on 'grey list'; Pakistan to remain on 'grey list'</strong></a></p>

<p>The official said a meeting between the two leaders may not have happened if Erdogan had expelled the US&nbsp;ambassador. But the issue had been resolved, for the moment at least, he said.</p>

<p>Biden, who is in Rome for the G20 summit, will also discuss Turkey's request to purchase F-16 fighter jets, its defence relationship with the United States and a range of regional issues such as Syria and Libya.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;lawmakers have urged the Biden administration not to sell F-16s to Turkey and threatened to block any such exports on the grounds that Turkey had purchased Russian missile defence systems and "behaved like an adversary".</p>

<p>Reuters reported earlier this month that Turkey had made a request to the United States to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16s and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.</p>

<p>The alliance between the United States and Turkey, both members of NATO, has come under strain in recent years over policy differences on Syria, Turkey's Russian S-400 missile defence purchase, and human rights.</p>


US President Joe Biden will warn Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting on Sunday that any precipitous actions would not benefit US-Turkish relations and that crises should be avoided, a US official said on Saturday.

US President Joe Biden will warn Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting on Sunday that any precipitous actions would not benefit US-Turkish relations and that crises should be avoided, a US official said on Saturday. Erdogan earlier this month ordered 10 envoys, including the US ambassador, to be declared "persona non grata" for seeking the release of jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala, though he later withdrew the threat to expel them. "Certainly the president will indicate that we need to find a way to avoid crises like that one going forward and precipitous action is not going to benefit the US-Turkey partnership and alliance," the US official told reporters. Also Read | FATF puts Turkey on 'grey list'; Pakistan to remain on 'grey list' The official said a meeting between the two leaders may not have happened if Erdogan had expelled the US ambassador. But the issue had been resolved, for the moment at least, he said. Biden, who is in Rome for the G20 summit, will also discuss Turkey's request to purchase F-16 fighter jets, its defence relationship with the United States and a range of regional issues such as Syria and Libya. US lawmakers have urged the Biden administration not to sell F-16s to Turkey and threatened to block any such exports on the grounds that Turkey had purchased Russian missile defence systems and "behaved like an adversary". Reuters reported earlier this month that Turkey had made a request to the United States to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16s and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes. The alliance between the United States and Turkey, both members of NATO, has come under strain in recent years over policy differences on Syria, Turkey's Russian S-400 missile defence purchase, and human rights.

Biden to talk to Turkey's Erdogan over threat to expel western nations' envoys

Ukrainian government forces have used a Turkish-supplied armed drone for the first time against Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, in a development condemned by the Kremlin.

Ukraine uses Turkish drone against Russia-backed separatists

<p>Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday warned Turkey to stop 'aggressive posturing' over maritime dispute and engage in talks. His statement came during a visit to Saudi Arabia made with an aim of strebngthening ties with Gulf countries.</p>

<p>The PM warned that Greece had "drawn our lines very, very clearly" after signing defence deals with the United States and France earlier this month.</p>

<p>"We are secure. I don't think there is a geopolitical threat," Mitsotakis told the elite annual meeting dubbed 'Davos in the Desert', with Prince Mohammed in the audience.</p>

<p>"And I think at the end of the day Turkey will also realise that this aggressive posturing in the eastern Mediterranean is not going to lead anywhere."</p>

<p>Tensions between Greece and Turkey soared last year when Turkey sent gas exploration ship and small navy flotilla to hunt for resources in waters Greece considers its own under treaties.</p>

<p>In July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan endorsed a formal partition of Cyprus, which Ankara invaded in 1974 in response to a coup engineered by Greece's then military junta.</p>

<p>Greece also blames Turkey for not taking sufficient action to curb smugglers who send out migrants in unsafe boats and dinghies from its shores.</p>

<p>According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, more than 2,500 people have crossed the Aegean from neighbouring Turkey this year, compared to over 9,700 in 2020.</p>

<p>"I think we've set up our alliances, we've drawn our lines very, very clearly," Mitsotakis said.</p>

<p>"And I do hope that at some point, Turkey will constructively engage with us to resolve the one main outstanding issue we have which is the delineation of maritime shores."</p>

<p>He added: "We're always open for dialogue, but we will not be intimidated and we will not accept our sovereign rights to be compromised."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday warned Turkey to stop 'aggressive posturing' over maritime dispute and engage in talks. His statement came during a visit to Saudi Arabia made with an aim of strebngthening ties with Gulf countries.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday warned Turkey to stop 'aggressive posturing' over maritime dispute and engage in talks. His statement came during a visit to Saudi Arabia made with an aim of strebngthening ties with Gulf countries. The PM warned that Greece had "drawn our lines very, very clearly" after signing defence deals with the United States and France earlier this month. "We are secure. I don't think there is a geopolitical threat," Mitsotakis told the elite annual meeting dubbed 'Davos in the Desert', with Prince Mohammed in the audience. "And I think at the end of the day Turkey will also realise that this aggressive posturing in the eastern Mediterranean is not going to lead anywhere." Tensions between Greece and Turkey soared last year when Turkey sent gas exploration ship and small navy flotilla to hunt for resources in waters Greece considers its own under treaties. In July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan endorsed a formal partition of Cyprus, which Ankara invaded in 1974 in response to a coup engineered by Greece's then military junta. Greece also blames Turkey for not taking sufficient action to curb smugglers who send out migrants in unsafe boats and dinghies from its shores. According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, more than 2,500 people have crossed the Aegean from neighbouring Turkey this year, compared to over 9,700 in 2020. "I think we've set up our alliances, we've drawn our lines very, very clearly," Mitsotakis said. "And I do hope that at some point, Turkey will constructively engage with us to resolve the one main outstanding issue we have which is the delineation of maritime shores." He added: "We're always open for dialogue, but we will not be intimidated and we will not accept our sovereign rights to be compromised." (With inputs from agencies)

Greece warns Turkey to stop 'aggressive posturing'

<p>Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has withdrawn his order threatening to expel the ambassadors of 10 Western nations over their support for a jailed activist, averting a possible diplomatic crisis.</p>

<p>Erdogan had ordered the envoys to be declared persona non grata after they sought the release of prominent philanthropist Osman Kavala, 64, who has been detained for four years on charges of financing protests and involvement in an attempted coup.</p>

<p>The envoys from Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand and the US called last week for a just and speedy resolution to Kavala’s case, and for his “urgent release”.</p>

<p>Erdogan slammed the joint statement by the western nations, calling it as a direct attack on Turkey’s judiciary and sovereignty.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indecency-turkeys-erdogan-orders-expulsion-of-10-ambassadors-423377">'Indecency': Turkey's Erdogan orders expulsion of 10 ambassadors</a></p>

<p>“The Turkish judiciary doesn’t take orders from anyone, and is not under anyone’s command. Our intention is absolutely not to create a crisis but to protect our law, honour, interests and our sovereign rights,” Erdogan said on Monday.</p>

<p>“We believe that these ambassadors, who have fulfilled their commitment to Article 41 of the Vienna Convention, will now be more careful in their statements,” he said in televised remarks following a three-hour Cabinet meeting in Ankara.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-may-buy-russian-jets-if-us-f-16-deal-fails-report-421864">Turkey may buy Russian jets if US F-16 deal fails</a></p>

<p>Kavala was acquitted in February last year of charges linked to nationwide anti-government protests in 2013, but the ruling was overturned and joined to charges relating to a 2016 coup attempt. He faces a life sentence if convicted.</p>

<p>The European Court of Human Rights called for his release in 2019, saying his incarceration acted to silence him and was not supported by evidence of an offense. The Council of Europe says it will start infringement proceedings against Turkey at the end of November if Kavala is not freed.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fatf-puts-turkey-on-grey-list-pakistan-to-remain-on-grey-list-422766">FATF puts Turkey on 'grey list'; Pakistan to remain on 'grey list'</a></p>

<p>Although Kavala’s continued incarceration has been widely criticized abroad, Turkey maintains he is being held according to the rulings of its independent judiciary.</p>

<p>Kavala’s wife, Ayse Bugra, described his imprisonment as inexplicable. “There’s no way this situation can be explained either logically or legally,” she said in comments published on Halk TV’s website on Monday.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has withdrawn his order threatening to expel the ambassadors of 10 Western nations over their support for a jailed activist, averting a possible diplomatic crisis.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has withdrawn his order threatening to expel the ambassadors of 10 Western nations over their support for a jailed activist, averting a possible diplomatic crisis. Erdogan had ordered the envoys to be declared persona non grata after they sought the release of prominent philanthropist Osman Kavala, 64, who has been detained for four years on charges of financing protests and involvement in an attempted coup. The envoys from Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand and the US called last week for a just and speedy resolution to Kavala’s case, and for his “urgent release”. Erdogan slammed the joint statement by the western nations, calling it as a direct attack on Turkey’s judiciary and sovereignty. Also read | 'Indecency': Turkey's Erdogan orders expulsion of 10 ambassadors “The Turkish judiciary doesn’t take orders from anyone, and is not under anyone’s command. Our intention is absolutely not to create a crisis but to protect our law, honour, interests and our sovereign rights,” Erdogan said on Monday. “We believe that these ambassadors, who have fulfilled their commitment to Article 41 of the Vienna Convention, will now be more careful in their statements,” he said in televised remarks following a three-hour Cabinet meeting in Ankara. Also read | Turkey may buy Russian jets if US F-16 deal fails Kavala was acquitted in February last year of charges linked to nationwide anti-government protests in 2013, but the ruling was overturned and joined to charges relating to a 2016 coup attempt. He faces a life sentence if convicted. The European Court of Human Rights called for his release in 2019, saying his incarceration acted to silence him and was not supported by evidence of an offense. The Council of Europe says it will start infringement proceedings against Turkey at the end of November if Kavala is not freed. Also read | FATF puts Turkey on 'grey list'; Pakistan to remain on 'grey list' Although Kavala’s continued incarceration has been widely criticized abroad, Turkey maintains he is being held according to the rulings of its independent judiciary. Kavala’s wife, Ayse Bugra, described his imprisonment as inexplicable. “There’s no way this situation can be explained either logically or legally,” she said in comments published on Halk TV’s website on Monday. (With inputs from agencies)

Turkish president Erdogan dials down on threat to expel 10 western nation envoys

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stepped back from a threat to expel the ambassadors of 10 Western nations over their support for a jailed activist, defusing a potential diplomatic crisis.

Turkish Prez Erdogan lifts threat to expel Western envoys for supporting jailed activist

After the FATF greylisted Turkey, Erdogan is responding to the humiliation by pressing the self destruct button. The Lira dropped to a record low after the Turkish President's threat to expel 10 diplomats. Is Turkey under Erdogan imploding? Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: How Erdogan is pushing Turkey towards an implosion

The Turkish Lira weakened 1.6% to a record low against the dollar in early Asian trade after President Tayyip Erdogan said he had ordered the expulsion of the ambassadors of the United States and nine other western countries.

Turkish Lira weakens 1.6% to a record low

<p class="MsoNormal">Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered his foreign minister to expel ambassadors of 10 countries, which includes United States and Germany.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">This decision by Erdogan came after some leaders appealed for the release of a jailed civil society leader.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk85918783">"</a>I have ordered our foreign minister to declare these 10 ambassadors as persona non grata as soon as possible," Erdogan said. "They must leave here the day they no longer know Turkey."</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fatf-puts-turkey-on-grey-list-pakistan-to-remain-on-grey-list-422766">FATF puts Turkey on 'grey list'; Pakistan to remain on 'grey list'</a></strong></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">These envoys had reportedly protested the detention of Parisian-born philanthropist and activist Osman Kavala. They had claimed that his detention had “cast a shadow” over Turkey.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The western ambassadors had urged Turkey to ensure "just and speedy resolution" in Kavala’s case.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Erdogan, however, accused the foreign envoys of ‘indecency’ and ordered expulsion of these ten foreign ambassadors. He claims "we cannot have the luxury of hosting them in our country".</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-to-remain-under-fatf-grey-list-turkey-jordan-mali-also-added-422835"><strong>WATCH |</strong></a></o:p></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-to-remain-under-fatf-grey-list-turkey-jordan-mali-also-added-422835/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p class="MsoNormal">Kavala, a 64-year-old civil society leader, has been behind the bars since 2017 without any conviction. He has been accused with several charged which are linked to infamous anti-government protests in 2013 and 2016’s failed military coup.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">This announcement comes at a time when Turkey has been pushed to the FATF "grey list" with other countries such as Pakistan, Syria, South Sudan and Yemen. Erdogan’s country has been placed in "grey list" due to money laundering and terrorist financing issues.<o:p></o:p></p>


Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered his foreign minister to expel ambassadors of 10 countries, which includes United States and Germany. This decision by Erdogan came after some leaders appealed for the release of a jailed civil society leader.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered his foreign minister to expel ambassadors of 10 countries, which includes United States and Germany. This decision by Erdogan came after some leaders appealed for the release of a jailed civil society leader. "I have ordered our foreign minister to declare these 10 ambassadors as persona non grata as soon as possible," Erdogan said. "They must leave here the day they no longer know Turkey." Also read | FATF puts Turkey on 'grey list'; Pakistan to remain on 'grey list' These envoys had reportedly protested the detention of Parisian-born philanthropist and activist Osman Kavala. They had claimed that his detention had “cast a shadow” over Turkey. The western ambassadors had urged Turkey to ensure "just and speedy resolution" in Kavala’s case. Erdogan, however, accused the foreign envoys of ‘indecency’ and ordered expulsion of these ten foreign ambassadors. He claims "we cannot have the luxury of hosting them in our country". WATCH | Kavala, a 64-year-old civil society leader, has been behind the bars since 2017 without any conviction. He has been accused with several charged which are linked to infamous anti-government protests in 2013 and 2016’s failed military coup. This announcement comes at a time when Turkey has been pushed to the FATF "grey list" with other countries such as Pakistan, Syria, South Sudan and Yemen. Erdogan’s country has been placed in "grey list" due to money laundering and terrorist financing issues.

'Indecency': Turkey's Erdogan orders expulsion of 10 ambassadors

The FATF has decided to keep Pakistan on its grey list, Turkey is also added to it. The close allies have failed to curb issues like money laundering and terror financing in their countries.

Pakistan to remain under FATF grey list; Turkey, Jordan, Mali also added

<p>Slumbering amid olive and pistachio groves on a hot plain near the Syrian border, Kilis was for many decades a quiet backwater, surviving, but hardly prospering, on cross-border trade and smuggling.</p>

<p>Then, 10 years ago, war broke out in Syria, refugees began fleeing across the border and Kilis was changed beyond all recognition. Over the next decade, 3.6 million Syrians settled in Turkey, and Kilis doubled in size to about 200,000 people.</p>

<p>Even as the influx of refugees put a heavy burden on Kilis, it also delivered a welcome jolt of energy to the formerly sleepy city.</p>

<p>“After the Syrians arrived, our lives changed quite a lot,” said Kadir Peker, a Turk who had to rebuild his minicab business after it collapsed with the onset of the war. “They benefited us in many ways. We are living together.”</p>

<p>Urged by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to treat Syrians escaping the war as guests, Turkish citizens widely accepted the newcomers — at least at first. Yet in many places, the welcome has waned, and the long-term presence of Syrian refugees has become a bitterly contentious issue in the political arena.</p>

<p>Opposition parties have started openly to call for sending home Syrian refugees and recently warned Erdogan against admitting a wave of Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban takeover. This summer, the mayor of a small town in central Turkey publicly called for Syrians to leave, complaining they could not integrate culturally and disrupted the economy.</p>

<p>Kilis is a notable exception to the increasingly toxic tone, a beacon of ethnic harmony where Turks and Syrians speak well of each other and men from the two groups settled a minor traffic accident in the city center recently with smiles.</p>

<p>One reason for the warmth of the welcome here is geographic. Many people in this region, just 30 miles north of the Syrian city of Aleppo, had relations with Syrians before the war.</p>

<p>Kilis’ own history of ethnic diversity, hardship and dislocation may also have fostered an openness to the refugees. It has a large number of Kurds, whose culture and political aspirations have long been suppressed in Turkey. The local population was mainly Jewish and Armenian until the upheavals of the 20th century led to an exodus and decimation of both communities, some of the oldest residents recalled.</p>

<p>An ethnic Kurd himself, Peker used to drive taxis across the border and speaks Kurdish and Arabic as well as Turkish.</p>

<p>For all they have suffered as refugees, many Syrians — now almost half the population of Kilis province — say they have been more welcomed here than in other Turkish cities.</p>

<p>“To be honest, we received a lot of help from the Turkish community here,” said Muhammad, a Syrian refugee who asked that only his first name be published in case it affected his application for Turkish citizenship. “We always hear there is a lot of racism, but I learned Turkish, and I never had a problem,” he added, saying he had found work in Turkish restaurants and businesses.</p>

<p>Still, even in Kilis, Syrians were cautious about discussing their lives in Turkey, where the police are quick to deport anyone without legal documents. Those who did speak pointed out that both sides have benefited, with Syrians finding safety and Kilis getting a much-needed infusion of energy.</p>

<p>“It was a miserable town when we arrived,” Muhammad said. “Everyone was asleep by 6 in the evening, and at night you would only see ghosts.”</p>

<p>The Syrians’ affinity for late nights was one of the cultural differences that irritated Turks, but Syrians have become more mindful of local mores, both communities said.</p>

<p>“It was better before; it was a quieter town,” said a restaurant owner, Murat Aygun, 40, who was born and raised in Kilis. “The culture changed. The city expanded.”</p>

<p>One of the first cultural shifts to emerge was in food. Syrians opened bakeries making the flatbread they ate back home and introduced roast chicken restaurants. Turks, who have always favored grilled meat, kebabs and meatballs, abstained at first but now have adopted the new fare as their own. Syrian favorites such as hummus and falafel have expanded Turkish menus.</p>

<p>Aygun’s two-story restaurant now caters to a multiethnic clientele, and he said he employs as many Syrians as Turks, adding, “They taught us Arabic, and we taught them Turkish.”</p>

<p>His staff members were cheerful about the diversity.</p>

<p>“Now I even eat falafel for breakfast,” Yalcin Ozkir, 37, a Turkish chef, said with a laugh.</p>

<p>Just as the benefits have extended both ways, so, however, have some hardships.</p>

<p>The refugees’ arrival brought a demand for housing, and rents soared beyond the means of many Turks. The war also cut off the cross-border trade that had provided a livelihood for many townspeople.</p>

<p>But the arrival of the Syrians also set off a building boom and brought investment that has transformed the city.</p>

<p>“The buildings started rising after the Syrians came,” Muhammad said of his fellow refugees. “They made a revolution in this town.”</p>

<p>Syrians renovated much of the old city center, opening small shops and businesses and greatly expanding the open-air markets for fruit, vegetables and livestock.</p>

<p>“Half this street was closed and rundown,” said Muhammad Waki, 19, a pastry chef in a Syrian sweet shop in the old town. “Seventy percent has changed. We renovated all these shops.”</p>

<p>There has been sporadic violence against refugees in Turkey but only one instance in Kilis, in 2015, when a crowd smashed the windows of Syrian-owned shops and cars, said Abdurahman Abu Jamil, 30, whose family operates several businesses in northern Syria and Kilis. He noted that his Turkish neighbor protected his shop from the mob.</p>

<p>“In Turkey, if you respect their rights, they will respect yours,” he said. “They respect us, and if you respect them, you preserve your dignity.”</p>

<p>A key turning point came five years ago, when the government integrated Syrian children into Turkish schools, said Omar al-Haji, administrator of the Kilis branch of an educational charity.</p>

<p>“Before, Syrians were going to temporary Syrian schools,” he said. “They could not study well, and they were not even learning Arabic well. But when they decided to take the children into Turkish schools, it helped merge the communities together.”</p>

<p>Authorities also ended the practice of waiving university fees for Syrians, which had fueled local resentment, al-Haji said.</p>

<p>“Hostility between the Turkish and Syrian people decreased because the two peoples started understanding each other, and the problems of the Syrians decreased a lot,” he said.</p>

<p>Intermarriage was another initial friction point, with parts of both communities at first upset when Turkish men started marrying Syrian women as second wives under religious law. But intermarriage has become increasingly common, many residents said, and the two communities have come to socialize together.</p>

<p>On a recent summer’s evening, Peker’s family held a street party to celebrate the circumcision of their son, Poyaz. Prominent among their guests: a refugee couple, a Syrian dentist and his wife, a teacher, who rent an apartment from them.</p>

<p>“I don’t see any difference,” said Nurdan Peker, Peker’s wife. “I don’t see people as Arab or Turkish. I just see them as human.”</p>


Slumbering amid olive and pistachio groves on a hot plain near the Syrian border, Kilis was for many decades a quiet backwater, surviving, but hardly prospering, on cross-border trade and smuggling.

Slumbering amid olive and pistachio groves on a hot plain near the Syrian border, Kilis was for many decades a quiet backwater, surviving, but hardly prospering, on cross-border trade and smuggling. Then, 10 years ago, war broke out in Syria, refugees began fleeing across the border and Kilis was changed beyond all recognition. Over the next decade, 3.6 million Syrians settled in Turkey, and Kilis doubled in size to about 200,000 people. Even as the influx of refugees put a heavy burden on Kilis, it also delivered a welcome jolt of energy to the formerly sleepy city. “After the Syrians arrived, our lives changed quite a lot,” said Kadir Peker, a Turk who had to rebuild his minicab business after it collapsed with the onset of the war. “They benefited us in many ways. We are living together.” Urged by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to treat Syrians escaping the war as guests, Turkish citizens widely accepted the newcomers — at least at first. Yet in many places, the welcome has waned, and the long-term presence of Syrian refugees has become a bitterly contentious issue in the political arena. Opposition parties have started openly to call for sending home Syrian refugees and recently warned Erdogan against admitting a wave of Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban takeover. This summer, the mayor of a small town in central Turkey publicly called for Syrians to leave, complaining they could not integrate culturally and disrupted the economy. Kilis is a notable exception to the increasingly toxic tone, a beacon of ethnic harmony where Turks and Syrians speak well of each other and men from the two groups settled a minor traffic accident in the city center recently with smiles. One reason for the warmth of the welcome here is geographic. Many people in this region, just 30 miles north of the Syrian city of Aleppo, had relations with Syrians before the war. Kilis’ own history of ethnic diversity, hardship and dislocation may also have fostered an openness to the refugees. It has a large number of Kurds, whose culture and political aspirations have long been suppressed in Turkey. The local population was mainly Jewish and Armenian until the upheavals of the 20th century led to an exodus and decimation of both communities, some of the oldest residents recalled. An ethnic Kurd himself, Peker used to drive taxis across the border and speaks Kurdish and Arabic as well as Turkish. For all they have suffered as refugees, many Syrians — now almost half the population of Kilis province — say they have been more welcomed here than in other Turkish cities. “To be honest, we received a lot of help from the Turkish community here,” said Muhammad, a Syrian refugee who asked that only his first name be published in case it affected his application for Turkish citizenship. “We always hear there is a lot of racism, but I learned Turkish, and I never had a problem,” he added, saying he had found work in Turkish restaurants and businesses. Still, even in Kilis, Syrians were cautious about discussing their lives in Turkey, where the police are quick to deport anyone without legal documents. Those who did speak pointed out that both sides have benefited, with Syrians finding safety and Kilis getting a much-needed infusion of energy. “It was a miserable town when we arrived,” Muhammad said. “Everyone was asleep by 6 in the evening, and at night you would only see ghosts.” The Syrians’ affinity for late nights was one of the cultural differences that irritated Turks, but Syrians have become more mindful of local mores, both communities said. “It was better before; it was a quieter town,” said a restaurant owner, Murat Aygun, 40, who was born and raised in Kilis. “The culture changed. The city expanded.” One of the first cultural shifts to emerge was in food. Syrians opened bakeries making the flatbread they ate back home and introduced roast chicken restaurants. Turks, who have always favored grilled meat, kebabs and meatballs, abstained at first but now have adopted the new fare as their own. Syrian favorites such as hummus and falafel have expanded Turkish menus. Aygun’s two-story restaurant now caters to a multiethnic clientele, and he said he employs as many Syrians as Turks, adding, “They taught us Arabic, and we taught them Turkish.” His staff members were cheerful about the diversity. “Now I even eat falafel for breakfast,” Yalcin Ozkir, 37, a Turkish chef, said with a laugh. Just as the benefits have extended both ways, so, however, have some hardships. The refugees’ arrival brought a demand for housing, and rents soared beyond the means of many Turks. The war also cut off the cross-border trade that had provided a livelihood for many townspeople. But the arrival of the Syrians also set off a building boom and brought investment that has transformed the city. “The buildings started rising after the Syrians came,” Muhammad said of his fellow refugees. “They made a revolution in this town.” Syrians renovated much of the old city center, opening small shops and businesses and greatly expanding the open-air markets for fruit, vegetables and livestock. “Half this street was closed and rundown,” said Muhammad Waki, 19, a pastry chef in a Syrian sweet shop in the old town. “Seventy percent has changed. We renovated all these shops.” There has been sporadic violence against refugees in Turkey but only one instance in Kilis, in 2015, when a crowd smashed the windows of Syrian-owned shops and cars, said Abdurahman Abu Jamil, 30, whose family operates several businesses in northern Syria and Kilis. He noted that his Turkish neighbor protected his shop from the mob. “In Turkey, if you respect their rights, they will respect yours,” he said. “They respect us, and if you respect them, you preserve your dignity.” A key turning point came five years ago, when the government integrated Syrian children into Turkish schools, said Omar al-Haji, administrator of the Kilis branch of an educational charity. “Before, Syrians were going to temporary Syrian schools,” he said. “They could not study well, and they were not even learning Arabic well. But when they decided to take the children into Turkish schools, it helped merge the communities together.” Authorities also ended the practice of waiving university fees for Syrians, which had fueled local resentment, al-Haji said. “Hostility between the Turkish and Syrian people decreased because the two peoples started understanding each other, and the problems of the Syrians decreased a lot,” he said. Intermarriage was another initial friction point, with parts of both communities at first upset when Turkish men started marrying Syrian women as second wives under religious law. But intermarriage has become increasingly common, many residents said, and the two communities have come to socialize together. On a recent summer’s evening, Peker’s family held a street party to celebrate the circumcision of their son, Poyaz. Prominent among their guests: a refugee couple, a Syrian dentist and his wife, a teacher, who rent an apartment from them. “I don’t see any difference,” said Nurdan Peker, Peker’s wife. “I don’t see people as Arab or Turkish. I just see them as human.”

Turkey sours on Syrians, but not in this sleepy town, jolted awake

Is Turkey set to join Pakistan on the FATF grey-list? A report has claimed that members of the global terror financing watchdog are likely to make the announcement on Thursday. Palki Sharma tells you why Turkey could be greylisted.

Gravitas: Turkey "set to be grey-listed" by FATF

The remains of 14 British, French and Australian warships that sank during World War I offer a glimpse of history in an underwater park on Turkey's Gallipoli peninsula. On The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis takes a look at how this museum is taking divers back in time.

The West Asia Post: Graveyard of navies greets divers

<p>Turkey said on Thursday that it was ready to help the Taliban so that Afghanistan overcame humanitarian crisis but it would not recognise the government. Turkey hosted the Taliban delegation for the first time. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu received his Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi.</p>

<p>Taliban is seeking to gain international recognition.</p>

<p>"We have told the international community about the importance of engagement with the current Taliban administration. In fact, recognition and engagement are two different things," Cavusoglu said. "The Afghan economy should not collapse. Therefore, we have said the countries that froze Afghanistan's accounts abroad should act more flexibly so that salaries can be paid."</p>

<p>Turkish foreign minister met Taliban delegation in Ankara.</p>

<p>"We gave advice to the Taliban administration. We once again said they should be inclusive for the unity of the country. We talked about the importance of including people in the administration from ethnic groups other than the Taliban," Xinhua news agency quoted Cavusoglu as saying&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We said this is not just a demand from Western countries, but also the advice of the Islamic world," Xinhua news agency quoted the Minister as saying.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Taliban delegation asked Turkey to continue its support in humanitarian aid and development projects</p>

<p>The Taliban officials pledged to support the Afghan refugees who want to return to the country from Turkey, he said.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


Turkey said on Thursday that it was ready to help the Taliban so that Afghanistan overcame humanitarian crisis but it would not recognise the government. Turkey hosted the Taliban delegation for the first time.

Turkey said on Thursday that it was ready to help the Taliban so that Afghanistan overcame humanitarian crisis but it would not recognise the government. Turkey hosted the Taliban delegation for the first time. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu received his Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi. Taliban is seeking to gain international recognition. "We have told the international community about the importance of engagement with the current Taliban administration. In fact, recognition and engagement are two different things," Cavusoglu said. "The Afghan economy should not collapse. Therefore, we have said the countries that froze Afghanistan's accounts abroad should act more flexibly so that salaries can be paid." Turkish foreign minister met Taliban delegation in Ankara. "We gave advice to the Taliban administration. We once again said they should be inclusive for the unity of the country. We talked about the importance of including people in the administration from ethnic groups other than the Taliban," Xinhua news agency quoted Cavusoglu as saying "We said this is not just a demand from Western countries, but also the advice of the Islamic world," Xinhua news agency quoted the Minister as saying. Meanwhile, the Taliban delegation asked Turkey to continue its support in humanitarian aid and development projects The Taliban officials pledged to support the Afghan refugees who want to return to the country from Turkey, he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Turkey ready to help Afghanistan, but won't recognise Taliban government

For the first time since the Taliban took over war-scarred Afghanistan in August, Turkey hosted the country's new leaders in the capital Ankara. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu received his acting counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi as the hardline Islamist movement seeks to gain international legitimacy.

Ankara: Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu receives his Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi

Rumeysa Gelgi, a 24-year-old woman from Turkey has been named as the tallest woman in the world in Guinness World Records.

Meet Rumeysa Gelgi, the world's tallest woman alive

<p>Rumeysa Gelgi from Turkey becomes the tallest living woman in the world with a height of 215.16cm (7ft 0.7in). Rumeysa was re-measured this year after she was first awarded the title for the tallest teenager living (female) back in 2014 when she was aged 18.</p>

<p>The record-breaker suffers from Weaver syndrome, which is an extremely rare condition that causes accelerated growth amongst other abnormalities including skeletal maturation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rumeysa mostly uses a wheelchair but can move for short periods using a walker.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-spotted-smiling-and-clapping-as-soldiers-lie-on-bed-of-nails-420694"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Kim Jong Un spotted smiling and clapping as soldiers lie on bed of nails</strong></a></p>

<p>She thinks that it is important to educate others about rare medical conditions such as her own. She says that her height makes people intrigued when they pass her on the street.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>However, most people are kind and supportive when they meet her for the first time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Every disadvantage can be turned into an advantage for yourself so accept yourself for who you are, be aware of your potential and do your best," she says.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In her free time, she likes to go out for nice meals with her family and swimming really helps her to relax.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ICYMI: Rumeysa Gelgi was confirmed as the world's tallest woman at just over 7 feet 👇</p>
— #GWR2022 OUT NOW (@GWR) <a href="https://twitter.com/GWR/status/1448568022642446336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Her family is very happy and proud of her for having the Guinness World Records title.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-explosive-sex-to-dome-home-winners-of-the-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-420620"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;From 'explosive sex' to dome home: Winners of the wildlife photographer of the year</strong></a></p>

<p>Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief, Guinness World Records, while speaking about this record, said, "It's an honour to welcome Rumeysa back into the record books. Her indomitable spirit and pride at standing out from the crowd is an inspiration. The category of tallest living woman is not one that changes hands very often, so I'm excited to share this news with the world."</p>


Rumeysa Gelgi from Turkey becomes the tallest living woman in the world with a height of 215.16cm (7ft 0.7in). Rumeysa was re-measured this year after she was first awarded the title for the tallest teenager living (female) back in 2014 when she was aged 18.

Rumeysa Gelgi from Turkey becomes the tallest living woman in the world with a height of 215.16cm (7ft 0.7in). Rumeysa was re-measured this year after she was first awarded the title for the tallest teenager living (female) back in 2014 when she was aged 18. The record-breaker suffers from Weaver syndrome, which is an extremely rare condition that causes accelerated growth amongst other abnormalities including skeletal maturation. Rumeysa mostly uses a wheelchair but can move for short periods using a walker. Also read | Kim Jong Un spotted smiling and clapping as soldiers lie on bed of nails She thinks that it is important to educate others about rare medical conditions such as her own. She says that her height makes people intrigued when they pass her on the street. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords) × However, most people are kind and supportive when they meet her for the first time. "Every disadvantage can be turned into an advantage for yourself so accept yourself for who you are, be aware of your potential and do your best," she says. In her free time, she likes to go out for nice meals with her family and swimming really helps her to relax. ICYMI: Rumeysa Gelgi was confirmed as the world's tallest woman at just over 7 feet 👇 — #GWR2022 OUT NOW (@GWR) October 14, 2021 × Her family is very happy and proud of her for having the Guinness World Records title. Also read | From 'explosive sex' to dome home: Winners of the wildlife photographer of the year Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief, Guinness World Records, while speaking about this record, said, "It's an honour to welcome Rumeysa back into the record books. Her indomitable spirit and pride at standing out from the crowd is an inspiration. The category of tallest living woman is not one that changes hands very often, so I'm excited to share this news with the world."

Turkey’s 24-year-old Rumeysa Gelgi titled as tallest woman living

<p>Violent pushbacks against refugees have increased in eastern Turkey in the months since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, says an investigation by the Guardian. It involves interviews with several victims, human rights lawyers working and independent observers.</p>

<p>As per the International Organization for Migration, between 20,000 and 30,000 refugees were fleeing Afghanistan every week for the last few months. According to Orhan Deniz, a professor of migration at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, many of these refugees are attempting to make the 1,400-mile journey through Iran and the Zagros mountains to the Turkish border.</p>

<p>Mahmut Kaçan, a Turkish lawyer based in Van who specialises in refugee and asylum cases, claims that pushbacks are “systematically” taking place.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is 100% happening,” Kaçan was quoted by The Guardian. “What Turkish authorities are doing is illegal.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eu-pledges-12-billion-in-aid-for-afghanistan-to-avert-humanitarian-collapse-420169"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;EU pledges $1.2 billion in aid for Afghanistan to avert humanitarian collapse</strong></a></p>

<p>Defence minister, Hulusi Akar has said that the eastern border had been reinforced with thermal and night-vision cameras and more troops. This includes 750 special operations officers.<br />
Metin Çorabatir, president of the Istanbul-based Research Centre on Asylum and Migration (IGAM), said that the refusal to allow</p>

<p>Afghan refugees to enter Turkey legally was forcing them into deadly journeys as he cited an incident where up to 60 Afghan refugees drowned crossing Lake Van.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-urge-us-eu-to-end-existing-sanctions-to-avoid-refugee-crisis-420503"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Taliban urge US, EU to 'end existing sanctions' to avoid refugee crisis</strong></a></p>

<p>Sangeen, who fled Kabul two days after it fell to the Taliban, said that the mountains were covered with dead bodies when he crossed into Turkey. He revealed that the thieves stole $150 from him and Turkish border forces smashed his phone on his head, burnt his clothes and kicked him repeatedly in the face. Another refugee told that his hand had been smashed with a metal helmet by a Turkish soldier.</p>


Violent pushbacks against refugees have increased in eastern Turkey in the months since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, says an investigation by the Guardian.

Violent pushbacks against refugees have increased in eastern Turkey in the months since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, says an investigation by the Guardian. It involves interviews with several victims, human rights lawyers working and independent observers. As per the International Organization for Migration, between 20,000 and 30,000 refugees were fleeing Afghanistan every week for the last few months. According to Orhan Deniz, a professor of migration at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, many of these refugees are attempting to make the 1,400-mile journey through Iran and the Zagros mountains to the Turkish border. Mahmut Kaçan, a Turkish lawyer based in Van who specialises in refugee and asylum cases, claims that pushbacks are “systematically” taking place. “This is 100% happening,” Kaçan was quoted by The Guardian. “What Turkish authorities are doing is illegal.” Also read | EU pledges $1.2 billion in aid for Afghanistan to avert humanitarian collapse Defence minister, Hulusi Akar has said that the eastern border had been reinforced with thermal and night-vision cameras and more troops. This includes 750 special operations officers. Metin Çorabatir, president of the Istanbul-based Research Centre on Asylum and Migration (IGAM), said that the refusal to allow Afghan refugees to enter Turkey legally was forcing them into deadly journeys as he cited an incident where up to 60 Afghan refugees drowned crossing Lake Van. Also read | Taliban urge US, EU to 'end existing sanctions' to avoid refugee crisis Sangeen, who fled Kabul two days after it fell to the Taliban, said that the mountains were covered with dead bodies when he crossed into Turkey. He revealed that the thieves stole $150 from him and Turkish border forces smashed his phone on his head, burnt his clothes and kicked him repeatedly in the face. Another refugee told that his hand had been smashed with a metal helmet by a Turkish soldier.

Pushbacks against Afghan refugees surge in Eastern Turkey

<p>Exciting news emerged on October 5 that the foreign ministers of India, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arabi Emirates (UAE) would meet at the upcoming 12th Sir Bani Yas Forum in Dubai to discuss plans for connectivity from India to the Mediterranean via the Gulf. This announcement comes as India is on an impressive campaign, led by Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to break out out of a narrow foreign policy view that rarely extended beyond South Asia and now reaches Oceania, the entirety of Asia, Europe, and even the Caucasus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Connecting India with the Mediterranean via the Gulf demonstrates a New Delhi that is increasingly becoming more ambitious, not only for the sake of national security, but to open trade corridors to deliver Indian products to the world and offer an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The first major project is the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) that will reduce costs by 30% and travel time by 40% for freight transport. It will also boost trade between Russia, Iran, Central Asia, India and Europe.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The INSTC is also of geopolitical importance as it begins from the Indian-invested port of Chabahar in Iran, thus rivalling the nearby Chinese-invested port of Gwadar in Pakistan. Both aim to be the premier port to service Central Asia. Just as importantly, it also severs Turkey’s ambitions to create its own corridor to the Turkic-heartland of Central Asia at the expense of sovereign Armenian territory, a country desperately seeking to improve ties with India and which Mr. Jaishankar visited on October 12-13.</p>

<p>Turkey also seeks to connect with Pakistan through this hoped corridor to further strengthen their already close ties. The destruction of the Ottoman Empire saw the emergence of the Turkish Republic in 1923 led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who at the time had just completed a campaign to create a “Turkey for the Turks” by exterminating three million Christian Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians. Pakistan’s founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah told his sister he wanted to be the Atatürk of India and in his 1938 eulogy, he described Atatürk as the greatest man of the age and an example for the Muslims of India. With Pakistan being founded on an ideology inspired by a genocide perpetrator, the Pakistan-Turkey nexus has always been strong and aggressive, culminating with Ankara’s continuous challenges against Indian sovereignty over Kashmir.</p>

<p>The global system is shifting from a US-led unipolar world order to a multipolar world order comprised of many great and regional powers. During the Cold War and the War on Terror, uncomfortable relations were necessary, but are now redundant. The US once tolerated Turkish aggression as it believed the country was a necessary counterweight to the Soviet Union. The West also attempted to deal with Pakistan as amicably as possible during the War in Afghanistan. However, the stark realization that both Turkey and Pakistan are pariah states has led them to becoming increasingly isolated on the world stage with very few friends.</p>

<p>The most telling aspect of Turkey’s and Pakistan’s global isolation is the fact that Arab states that were traditionally friendly to the two countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, are now shifting their relations closer to Greece and India. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has been progressing, albeit slowly, from medieval ideology to increasingly opening the country to modernity. Due to this shift in ideology, Saudi Arabia is increasingly disengaging from exporting terrorism and funding extremist groups, something that Pakistan is adamant on maintaining despite chronic social issues in the country that more urgently need attention.</p>

<p>The trade volume between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was just $3.6 billion in 2019. India and Saudi Arabia in 2019-2020 traded $26.84 billion. Although this is economically impressive, it also points to the geopolitical direction of Saudi Arabia as it now refuses to be locked into partnerships with only Muslim countries.</p>

<p>As Saudi Arabia has their own tensions with Turkey, particularly over the country’s unapologetic support for the Muslim Brotherhood that threatens many of the monarchies in the Arab Peninsula, it too is finding new partnerships and alliances. In one example, Saudi Arabia recently signed off on a deal for a Patriot missile system to be manned by Greek soldiers to protect vital infrastructure from any Yemeni attacks.</p>

<p>Opposition to Turkey’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood and Pakistan’s regressive ideology that belongs in centuries past has also seen great resistance in Egypt and the UAE, both of whom have strengthened relations with India. It is also worth noting that later this month, India, Egypt and Israel will participate in joint military exercises, the UAE is in a mutual defense pact with Greece, and Cyprus regularly participates in exercises with Greece, Egypt and Israel.</p>

<p>All the countries involved in the proposed India to Mediterranean corridor are already consolidating their relations in the military and economic fields. However, the completion of such a corridor would consolidate these countries into a formal multilateral partnership, thus further isolating the Pakistan-Turkey nexus of aggression.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In this way, such a corridor will create an arc of peace and cooperation, crossing countries of different religions, cultures, ethnic groups and traditions. Such a corridor would be the ultimate symbol of tolerance that shows the involved countries taking the right steps towards a prosperous future.</p>

<p><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)</strong></p>


Exciting news emerged on October 5 that the foreign ministers of India, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arabi Emirates (UAE) would meet at the upcoming 12th Sir Bani Yas Forum in Dubai to discuss plans for connectivity from India to the Mediterranean via the Gulf.

Exciting news emerged on October 5 that the foreign ministers of India, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arabi Emirates (UAE) would meet at the upcoming 12th Sir Bani Yas Forum in Dubai to discuss plans for connectivity from India to the Mediterranean via the Gulf. This announcement comes as India is on an impressive campaign, led by Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to break out out of a narrow foreign policy view that rarely extended beyond South Asia and now reaches Oceania, the entirety of Asia, Europe, and even the Caucasus. Connecting India with the Mediterranean via the Gulf demonstrates a New Delhi that is increasingly becoming more ambitious, not only for the sake of national security, but to open trade corridors to deliver Indian products to the world and offer an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The first major project is the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) that will reduce costs by 30% and travel time by 40% for freight transport. It will also boost trade between Russia, Iran, Central Asia, India and Europe. The INSTC is also of geopolitical importance as it begins from the Indian-invested port of Chabahar in Iran, thus rivalling the nearby Chinese-invested port of Gwadar in Pakistan. Both aim to be the premier port to service Central Asia. Just as importantly, it also severs Turkey’s ambitions to create its own corridor to the Turkic-heartland of Central Asia at the expense of sovereign Armenian territory, a country desperately seeking to improve ties with India and which Mr. Jaishankar visited on October 12-13. Turkey also seeks to connect with Pakistan through this hoped corridor to further strengthen their already close ties. The destruction of the Ottoman Empire saw the emergence of the Turkish Republic in 1923 led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who at the time had just completed a campaign to create a “Turkey for the Turks” by exterminating three million Christian Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians. Pakistan’s founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah told his sister he wanted to be the Atatürk of India and in his 1938 eulogy, he described Atatürk as the greatest man of the age and an example for the Muslims of India. With Pakistan being founded on an ideology inspired by a genocide perpetrator, the Pakistan-Turkey nexus has always been strong and aggressive, culminating with Ankara’s continuous challenges against Indian sovereignty over Kashmir. The global system is shifting from a US-led unipolar world order to a multipolar world order comprised of many great and regional powers. During the Cold War and the War on Terror, uncomfortable relations were necessary, but are now redundant. The US once tolerated Turkish aggression as it believed the country was a necessary counterweight to the Soviet Union. The West also attempted to deal with Pakistan as amicably as possible during the War in Afghanistan. However, the stark realization that both Turkey and Pakistan are pariah states has led them to becoming increasingly isolated on the world stage with very few friends. The most telling aspect of Turkey’s and Pakistan’s global isolation is the fact that Arab states that were traditionally friendly to the two countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, are now shifting their relations closer to Greece and India. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has been progressing, albeit slowly, from medieval ideology to increasingly opening the country to modernity. Due to this shift in ideology, Saudi Arabia is increasingly disengaging from exporting terrorism and funding extremist groups, something that Pakistan is adamant on maintaining despite chronic social issues in the country that more urgently need attention. The trade volume between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was just $3.6 billion in 2019. India and Saudi Arabia in 2019-2020 traded $26.84 billion. Although this is economically impressive, it also points to the geopolitical direction of Saudi Arabia as it now refuses to be locked into partnerships with only Muslim countries. As Saudi Arabia has their own tensions with Turkey, particularly over the country’s unapologetic support for the Muslim Brotherhood that threatens many of the monarchies in the Arab Peninsula, it too is finding new partnerships and alliances. In one example, Saudi Arabia recently signed off on a deal for a Patriot missile system to be manned by Greek soldiers to protect vital infrastructure from any Yemeni attacks. Opposition to Turkey’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood and Pakistan’s regressive ideology that belongs in centuries past has also seen great resistance in Egypt and the UAE, both of whom have strengthened relations with India. It is also worth noting that later this month, India, Egypt and Israel will participate in joint military exercises, the UAE is in a mutual defense pact with Greece, and Cyprus regularly participates in exercises with Greece, Egypt and Israel. All the countries involved in the proposed India to Mediterranean corridor are already consolidating their relations in the military and economic fields. However, the completion of such a corridor would consolidate these countries into a formal multilateral partnership, thus further isolating the Pakistan-Turkey nexus of aggression. In this way, such a corridor will create an arc of peace and cooperation, crossing countries of different religions, cultures, ethnic groups and traditions. Such a corridor would be the ultimate symbol of tolerance that shows the involved countries taking the right steps towards a prosperous future. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion: Indo-Mediterranean connect via Gulf isolates Pakistan-Turkey nexus

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