President Erdogan issued an official statement on the terror attack that took place at Istanbul&#39;s Atat?rk Airport, which killed at least 41 and injured 230.&nbsp;In it he said: 
 
&ldquo;This attack once again revealed the dark face of terrorist organisations targeting innocent civilians. It is obvious that this attack does not aim to attain any results, but merely aims to produce propaganda material against our country by shedding the blood of and causing pain for innocent civilians. 
 
&ldquo;We urge governments, parliaments, media and civil society organizations around the world, especially in Western countries, to take a firm stand against terrorism.&rdquo; 
 
Erdogan emphasised the international nature of terrorism, saying that it could have happened anywhere. He called on the&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;However, I would like to remind that today&#39;s attack targeted not only 79 million Turkish citizens, but also 7.5 billion human beings around the world. Due to the treacherous nature of terrorism, the bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world. Make no mistake: For terrorist organisations, there is no difference between Istanbul and London, Ankara and Berlin, Izmir and Chicago or Antalya and Rome. Unless all government and the entire mankind join forces in the fight against terrorism, much worse things than what we fear to imagine today will come true.&rdquo; 
 
&ldquo;I hope the Ataturk Airport attack will serve as a turning point in the world, particularly for the Western countries, for a joint struggle against terror organizations.&rdquo; 
 
More updates will follow as reports from Turkey come in. 
 
(Others)

Erdogan calls on the world to band together against terrorism

President Erdogan issued an official statement on the terror attack that took place at Istanbul's Atat?rk Airport, which killed at least 41 and injured 230. In it he said: “This attack once again revealed the dark face of terrorist organisations targeting innocent civilians. It is obvious that this attack does not aim to attain any results, but merely aims to produce propaganda material against our country by shedding the blood of and causing pain for innocent civilians. “We urge governments, parliaments, media and civil society organizations around the world, especially in Western countries, to take a firm stand against terrorism.” Erdogan emphasised the international nature of terrorism, saying that it could have happened anywhere. He called on the “However, I would like to remind that today's attack targeted not only 79 million Turkish citizens, but also 7.5 billion human beings around the world. Due to the treacherous nature of terrorism, the bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world. Make no mistake: For terrorist organisations, there is no difference between Istanbul and London, Ankara and Berlin, Izmir and Chicago or Antalya and Rome. Unless all government and the entire mankind join forces in the fight against terrorism, much worse things than what we fear to imagine today will come true.” “I hope the Ataturk Airport attack will serve as a turning point in the world, particularly for the Western countries, for a joint struggle against terror organizations.” More updates will follow as reports from Turkey come in. (Others)

Turkey's President makes official statement after deadly airport attack

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condemned the terror attack in Istanbul, terming it as inhuman and horrific. 
 
&quot;Attack in Istanbul is inhuman &amp; horrific. I condemn it strongly. My thoughts are with bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly,&quot; he said in a tweet. 
 
Suspected Islamic State group suicide bombers targeted the international terminal of Istanbul&#39;s Ataturk airport, killing 36 and wounding many others. 
 
There has been no report so far of any Indian casualty in the terror attack at the international terminal of Turkey&#39;s Ataturk airport where three suspected Islamic State suicide bombers killed 36. 
 
External affairs ministry also said that the Indian Consulate has been in touch been touch with Istanbul governorate and has given emergency contact numbers for Indians requiring assistance. 
 
No reports so far of any Indian among the casualties, the ministry said. 
 
(PTI)

Indian officials said there were no reports of its citizens being among the casualty in the suicide attack which killed 36 and wounded 150

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condemned the terror attack in Istanbul, terming it as inhuman and horrific. "Attack in Istanbul is inhuman & horrific. I condemn it strongly. My thoughts are with bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly," he said in a tweet. Suspected Islamic State group suicide bombers targeted the international terminal of Istanbul's Ataturk airport, killing 36 and wounding many others. There has been no report so far of any Indian casualty in the terror attack at the international terminal of Turkey's Ataturk airport where three suspected Islamic State suicide bombers killed 36. External affairs ministry also said that the Indian Consulate has been in touch been touch with Istanbul governorate and has given emergency contact numbers for Indians requiring assistance. No reports so far of any Indian among the casualties, the ministry said. (PTI)

Indian Prime Minister condemns attack on Istanbul airport calls it 'inhuman'

Condemning the terror attack at Istanbul&#39;s Ataturk International airport that killed 36 people and injured many others, the US and UN has called for stepped-up cooperation in fighting terrorism and has vowed &quot;steadfast&quot; support for Turkey. 
 
&quot;Ataturk international airport, like Brussels airport which was attacked earlier this year, is a symbol of international connections and the ties that bind us together,&quot; White House press secretary Josh Earnest said yesterday. 
 
US President Barack Obama was briefed on the explosions by his assistant for homeland security and counterterrorism Lisa Monaco. 
 
&quot;Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those killed, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured. We remain steadfast in our support for Turkey, our NATO ally and partner, along with all of our friends and allies around the world, as we continue to confront the threat of terrorism,&quot; he said. 
 
Condemning the terrorist attack at Istanbul&#39;s Ataturk International airport, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Turkey. 
 
&quot;The Secretary-General hopes that the perpetrators of this crime will be identified and brought to justice. He stands firmly by Turkey as it confronts this threat and stresses the need to intensify regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism,&quot; his spokesman said in a statement. 
 
US officials are in close touch with Turkish authorities throughout the investigation, state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said. 
 
&quot;We stand in solidarity with our NATO ally Turkey in combating the threat of terrorism. Sadly, this murderous attack is only the latest in a series of attacks aimed at killing and maiming innocent civilians,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;Such attacks will only reinforce our determination to work with the government of Turkey to counter the scourge of terrorism and support all those across the region who are working to promote peace and reconciliation,&quot; Toner said in a statement. 
 
&quot;Today, we have another horrific event - senseless violence against innocent civilians. Freedom-loving people around the world must not waver in our commitment to defeat violent extremism,&quot; said senator James Lankford. He serves on the homeland security and intelligence committees. 
 
&quot;We continue to monitor reports of the horrific terror attack in Turkey. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and all affected,&quot; tweeted Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the powerful senate foreign relations committee. 
 
&quot;Terrorism will not prevail. We stand with our ally Turkey in the face of this heinous attack,&quot; tweeted Paul Ryan, speaker of the US house of representatives. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m horrified by the attacks in Istanbul, and my heart is with the victims and their families. I stand with the people of Turkey against terrorism,&quot; tweeted congresswoman Susan Brooks. 
 
(PTI)

Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack and stressed on the need to intensify regional and international efforts to combat terrorism

Condemning the terror attack at Istanbul's Ataturk International airport that killed 36 people and injured many others, the US and UN has called for stepped-up cooperation in fighting terrorism and has vowed "steadfast" support for Turkey. "Ataturk international airport, like Brussels airport which was attacked earlier this year, is a symbol of international connections and the ties that bind us together," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said yesterday. US President Barack Obama was briefed on the explosions by his assistant for homeland security and counterterrorism Lisa Monaco. "Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those killed, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured. We remain steadfast in our support for Turkey, our NATO ally and partner, along with all of our friends and allies around the world, as we continue to confront the threat of terrorism," he said. Condemning the terrorist attack at Istanbul's Ataturk International airport, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Turkey. "The Secretary-General hopes that the perpetrators of this crime will be identified and brought to justice. He stands firmly by Turkey as it confronts this threat and stresses the need to intensify regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism," his spokesman said in a statement. US officials are in close touch with Turkish authorities throughout the investigation, state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said. "We stand in solidarity with our NATO ally Turkey in combating the threat of terrorism. Sadly, this murderous attack is only the latest in a series of attacks aimed at killing and maiming innocent civilians," he said. "Such attacks will only reinforce our determination to work with the government of Turkey to counter the scourge of terrorism and support all those across the region who are working to promote peace and reconciliation," Toner said in a statement. "Today, we have another horrific event - senseless violence against innocent civilians. Freedom-loving people around the world must not waver in our commitment to defeat violent extremism," said senator James Lankford. He serves on the homeland security and intelligence committees. "We continue to monitor reports of the horrific terror attack in Turkey. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and all affected," tweeted Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the powerful senate foreign relations committee. "Terrorism will not prevail. We stand with our ally Turkey in the face of this heinous attack," tweeted Paul Ryan, speaker of the US house of representatives. "I'm horrified by the attacks in Istanbul, and my heart is with the victims and their families. I stand with the people of Turkey against terrorism," tweeted congresswoman Susan Brooks. (PTI)

US, UN condemn terror attack on Turkey international airport

Normalisation&nbsp;of&nbsp;relations&nbsp;between&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;and&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has&nbsp;started,&nbsp;Turkish&nbsp;Prime&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;Binali&nbsp;Yildirim&nbsp;said&nbsp;on&nbsp;Tuesday,&nbsp;adding&nbsp;that&nbsp;an 
improvement&nbsp;in&nbsp;ties&nbsp;with&nbsp;all&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mediterranean&nbsp;countries&nbsp;was&nbsp;an&nbsp;important&nbsp;goal. 
 
&quot;We&nbsp;will&nbsp;increase&nbsp;our&nbsp;friends&nbsp;and&nbsp;reduce&nbsp;our&nbsp;enemies.&nbsp;Our&nbsp;efforts&nbsp;in&nbsp;this&nbsp;direction&nbsp;will&nbsp;continue&nbsp;without&nbsp;slowing&nbsp;down.&nbsp;Not&nbsp;only&nbsp;with&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;or&nbsp;Egypt&nbsp;but&nbsp;also&nbsp;improving&nbsp;ties&nbsp;with&nbsp;all&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mediterranean&nbsp;countries&nbsp;will&nbsp;be&nbsp;our&nbsp;most&nbsp;important&nbsp;goal,&quot;&nbsp;Yildirim&nbsp;told&nbsp;members&nbsp;of&nbsp;his&nbsp;ruling&nbsp;AK&nbsp;Party&nbsp;in&nbsp;parliament. 
 
Yildirim&nbsp;was&nbsp;speaking&nbsp;a&nbsp;day&nbsp;after&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;announced&nbsp;the&nbsp;restoration&nbsp;of&nbsp;diplomatic&nbsp;ties&nbsp;with&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;and&nbsp;following&nbsp;a&nbsp;letter&nbsp;from&nbsp;Turkish President&nbsp;Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;to&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;President&nbsp;Vladimir&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;which&nbsp;expressed&nbsp;regret&nbsp;over&nbsp;the&nbsp;downing&nbsp;of&nbsp;a&nbsp;warplane&nbsp;last&nbsp;year,&nbsp;seeking&nbsp;to mend&nbsp;strained&nbsp;alliances. 
 
&quot;Communication&nbsp;between&nbsp;two&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;(Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;and&nbsp;Vladimir&nbsp;Putin)&nbsp;which&nbsp;was&nbsp;continuing,&nbsp;finally&nbsp;gave&nbsp;results.&nbsp;It&nbsp;seems&nbsp;that&nbsp;mutual&nbsp;correspondence&nbsp;seems&nbsp;to&nbsp;thaw&nbsp;relations&nbsp;between&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Turkey.&nbsp;Thus&nbsp;we&nbsp;can&nbsp;say&nbsp;normalisation&nbsp;of&nbsp;relations&nbsp;with&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has&nbsp;started&quot;&nbsp;Yildirim&nbsp;added. 
 
Kremlin&nbsp;spokesman&nbsp;Dmitry&nbsp;Peskov,&nbsp;however,&nbsp;told&nbsp;journalists&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;conference&nbsp;call&nbsp;on&nbsp;Tuesday&nbsp;it&nbsp;would&nbsp;take&nbsp;more&nbsp;than&nbsp;a&nbsp;few&nbsp;days&nbsp;to&nbsp;mend&nbsp;Russia&#39;s&nbsp;relations&nbsp;with&nbsp;Ankara. 
 
Russian&nbsp;President&nbsp;Vladimir&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;had&nbsp;said&nbsp;an&nbsp;apology&nbsp;from&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;was&nbsp;the&nbsp;condition&nbsp;for&nbsp;repairing&nbsp;relations&nbsp;between&nbsp;the&nbsp;two&nbsp;countries, which&nbsp;were&nbsp;poisoned&nbsp;when&nbsp;the&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;jet&nbsp;was&nbsp;shot&nbsp;down&nbsp;near&nbsp;the&nbsp;Syrian-Turkish&nbsp;border&nbsp;in&nbsp;November. 
 
Putin&nbsp;and&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;will&nbsp;hold&nbsp;a&nbsp;telephone&nbsp;conversation&nbsp;at&nbsp;Moscow&#39;s&nbsp;initiative&nbsp;on&nbsp;Wednesday,&nbsp;Peskov&nbsp;added. 
 
?(Reuters)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

'Improving?ties with?all?Black?Sea?and?Mediterranean?countries?will?be our?most?important?goal,? says Turkish PM Binali?Yildirim

Normalisation of relations between Turkey and Russia has started, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday, adding that an improvement in ties with all Black Sea and Mediterranean countries was an important goal. "We will increase our friends and reduce our enemies. Our efforts in this direction will continue without slowing down. Not only with Russia or Egypt but also improving ties with all Black Sea and Mediterranean countries will be our most important goal," Yildirim told members of his ruling AK Party in parliament. Yildirim was speaking a day after Turkey announced the restoration of diplomatic ties with Israel and following a letter from Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to Russian President Vladimir Putin which expressed regret over the downing of a warplane last year, seeking to mend strained alliances. "Communication between two leaders (Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin) which was continuing, finally gave results. It seems that mutual correspondence seems to thaw relations between Russia and Turkey. Thus we can say normalisation of relations with Russia has started" Yildirim added. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, however, told journalists on a conference call on Tuesday it would take more than a few days to mend Russia's relations with Ankara. Russian President Vladimir Putin had said an apology from Erdogan was the condition for repairing relations between the two countries, which were poisoned when the Russian jet was shot down near the Syrian-Turkish border in November. Putin and Erdogan will hold a telephone conversation at Moscow's initiative on Wednesday, Peskov added. ?(Reuters)

Turkey steps up to mend strained ties with Russia

Israel and Turkey on Sunday reached agreement to normalise ties, senior officials from both countries said, to end a rift over the Israeli navy`s killing of 10 Turkish pro-Palestinian activists who tried to sail to the blockaded Gaza Strip in 2010. 
 
A formal announcement on the restoration of ties and the details of the agreement were expected on Monday at 1000 GMT by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Rome, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in Ankara. 
 
&quot;We reached an agreement with Israel to normalise bilateral relations on Sunday in Rome,&quot; a senior Turkish official said, describing the agreement as a &quot;diplomatic victory&quot; for Turkey, although Israel has not accepted to lift the Gaza blockade, one of Ankara`s three conditions for an agreement. 
 
The once-firm allies had been quietly mending fences in trade and tourism since their leaders held a conciliatory telephone call in 2013 and negotiations have intensified over the past six months to pave the way for a mutual return of ambassadors. 
 
Netanyahu travelled to Rome on Sunday to meet U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli and Turkish officials were also in the Italian capital to finalise the deal. 
 
Israel, which had already offered its apologies - one of Ankara`s three conditions for a deal - for its lethal raid on the Mavi Marmara activist ship, agreed to pay out $20 million to the bereaved and injured, the Israeli official said in a briefing to Israeli reporters travelling with Netanyahu. 
 
Under the deal, Turkey will deliver humanitarian aid and other non-military products to Gaza and carry out infrastructure projects including residential buildings and a hospital in the area, the senior Turkish official said. Concrete steps will be taken to address the water and power crisis in the city. 
 
A senior Israeli official said senior foreign ministry diplomats from both countries would separately sign parallel agreements on Tuesday. 
 
The deal, politically touchy for both countries, could pave the way for lucrative Mediterranean gas deals and a diplomatic reprieve from Turkish troubles with next-door Syria and Europe. 
 
The rare rapprochement in the Middle East, bitterly divided over Syria`s civil war, has been largely driven by increasing security risks with the rise of Islamic State and as both countries seek new alliances amid a polarised region. 
 
Israel demanded that its military officers and government officials be indemnified against prosecution on war crimes allegations. The Israeli official said the money would be paid after Turkey`s parliament passed legislation on the issue. 
 
Turkey`s Islamist-rooted President Tayyip Erdogan had cast himself as guardian of Palestinian interests and engaged Hamas, the faction that controls Gaza and is on the terrorist blacklists of Israel and Western powers. 
 
A 2011 report commissioned by UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon upheld the legality of the Gaza blockade, which Israel says is needed to stem Hamas arms smuggling. The UN inquiry also faulted Israel for its marines` use of lethal force as they stormed the Mavi Marmara and brawled with activists on the deck. 
 
Separate to the agreement, the Israeli official said Erdogan would instruct relevant Turkish agencies to resolve the issue of missing Israelis in the Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed in the 2014 Gaza War and believes two civilians are also missing. 
 
(Reuters)

Turkey will deliver humanitarian aid and other non-military products to Gaza and building Residential buildings and hospitals

Israel and Turkey on Sunday reached agreement to normalise ties, senior officials from both countries said, to end a rift over the Israeli navy`s killing of 10 Turkish pro-Palestinian activists who tried to sail to the blockaded Gaza Strip in 2010. A formal announcement on the restoration of ties and the details of the agreement were expected on Monday at 1000 GMT by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Rome, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in Ankara. "We reached an agreement with Israel to normalise bilateral relations on Sunday in Rome," a senior Turkish official said, describing the agreement as a "diplomatic victory" for Turkey, although Israel has not accepted to lift the Gaza blockade, one of Ankara`s three conditions for an agreement. The once-firm allies had been quietly mending fences in trade and tourism since their leaders held a conciliatory telephone call in 2013 and negotiations have intensified over the past six months to pave the way for a mutual return of ambassadors. Netanyahu travelled to Rome on Sunday to meet U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli and Turkish officials were also in the Italian capital to finalise the deal. Israel, which had already offered its apologies - one of Ankara`s three conditions for a deal - for its lethal raid on the Mavi Marmara activist ship, agreed to pay out $20 million to the bereaved and injured, the Israeli official said in a briefing to Israeli reporters travelling with Netanyahu. Under the deal, Turkey will deliver humanitarian aid and other non-military products to Gaza and carry out infrastructure projects including residential buildings and a hospital in the area, the senior Turkish official said. Concrete steps will be taken to address the water and power crisis in the city. A senior Israeli official said senior foreign ministry diplomats from both countries would separately sign parallel agreements on Tuesday. The deal, politically touchy for both countries, could pave the way for lucrative Mediterranean gas deals and a diplomatic reprieve from Turkish troubles with next-door Syria and Europe. The rare rapprochement in the Middle East, bitterly divided over Syria`s civil war, has been largely driven by increasing security risks with the rise of Islamic State and as both countries seek new alliances amid a polarised region. Israel demanded that its military officers and government officials be indemnified against prosecution on war crimes allegations. The Israeli official said the money would be paid after Turkey`s parliament passed legislation on the issue. Turkey`s Islamist-rooted President Tayyip Erdogan had cast himself as guardian of Palestinian interests and engaged Hamas, the faction that controls Gaza and is on the terrorist blacklists of Israel and Western powers. A 2011 report commissioned by UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon upheld the legality of the Gaza blockade, which Israel says is needed to stem Hamas arms smuggling. The UN inquiry also faulted Israel for its marines` use of lethal force as they stormed the Mavi Marmara and brawled with activists on the deck. Separate to the agreement, the Israeli official said Erdogan would instruct relevant Turkish agencies to resolve the issue of missing Israelis in the Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed in the 2014 Gaza War and believes two civilians are also missing. (Reuters)

Israel and Turkey agree to normalise ties

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has written to Russian leader Vladimir Putin to apologise over the shooting down of a Russian air force jet by Turkey&#39;s military, the Kremlin said today. 
 
After the Russian jet was shot down in November last year near the Syrian-Turkish border, Russia imposed trade restrictions on Ankara. Putin had said they would not be lifted unless Erdogan apologised over the incident. 
 
There was no immediate comment from Ankara. 
 
In a statement, the Kremlin said Putin had received a letter from Erdogan &quot;in which the Turkish leader expressed his desire to resolve the situation connected to the downing of a Russian military aircraft.&quot; 
 
&quot;The letter states, in particular, that Russia is a friend to Turkey and a strategic partner, with which the Turkish authorities would not wish to spoil relations,&quot; the Kremlin statement said. 
 
It cited Erdogan as saying in the letter: &quot;I want to once again express my sympathy and deep condolences to the family of the Russian pilot who died and I say: &#39;I&#39;m sorry.&#39;&quot; 
 
The Turkish Lira firmed to 2.9330 against the US Dollar from 2.9430 beforehand after the Kremlin said Erdogan had expressed his regret. 
 
(Reuters)

Russia imposed trade restrictions on Ankara after the incident and had said they will not be lifted unless Erdogan apologised

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has written to Russian leader Vladimir Putin to apologise over the shooting down of a Russian air force jet by Turkey's military, the Kremlin said today. After the Russian jet was shot down in November last year near the Syrian-Turkish border, Russia imposed trade restrictions on Ankara. Putin had said they would not be lifted unless Erdogan apologised over the incident. There was no immediate comment from Ankara. In a statement, the Kremlin said Putin had received a letter from Erdogan "in which the Turkish leader expressed his desire to resolve the situation connected to the downing of a Russian military aircraft." "The letter states, in particular, that Russia is a friend to Turkey and a strategic partner, with which the Turkish authorities would not wish to spoil relations," the Kremlin statement said. It cited Erdogan as saying in the letter: "I want to once again express my sympathy and deep condolences to the family of the Russian pilot who died and I say: 'I'm sorry.'" The Turkish Lira firmed to 2.9330 against the US Dollar from 2.9430 beforehand after the Kremlin said Erdogan had expressed his regret. (Reuters)

Kremlin says Turkey apologised to Putin over plane incident

The Vatican hit back today at Turkey&#39;s depiction of Pope Francis as having a &quot;Crusader mentality&quot; after he used the word genocide to describe the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians a century ago. 
 
&quot;The pope is on no crusade. He is not trying to organise wars or build walls, but he wants to build bridges,&quot; spokesman father Federico Lombardi told reporters. &quot;He has not said a word against the Turkish people.&quot; 
 
Addressing Armenia&#39;s president, the government and diplomats on Friday, Francis departed from his prepared text to use the word &quot;genocide&quot;, a description that infuriated Turkey when he first used it a year ago. 
 
Turkey&#39;s Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Saturday it was &quot;very unfortunate&quot; the pope had used the word, adding: &quot;It is unfortunately possible to see all the reflections and traces of Crusader mentality in the actions of the papacy and the pope.&quot; 
 
Francis, who returns to Rome today after visiting a monastery near the border with Turkey, first used the word last year in a ceremony at the Vatican. An infuriated Turkey responded by recalling its ambassador to the Vatican and keeping him away for 10 months. 
 
Turkey accepts that many Christian Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were killed in clashes with Ottoman forces during World War I, but contests the figures and denies that the killings were systematically orchestrated, and constitute a genocide. It also says many Muslim Turks perished at that time. 
 
Today morning, at the last main event of his three-day trip to Armenia, Francis again made reference to the massacre, paying homage to &quot;the many victims of hatred who suffered and gave their lives for the faith&quot;. 
 
Unusually for the pope, he was a guest in a Christian liturgy where someone else called &quot;His Holiness&quot; presided. 
 
The &quot;divine liturgy&quot; was presided over by Catholicos Karekin II, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which split from Rome over a theological dispute in the fifth century and is part of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. 
 
Francis sat to one side as Karekin led an elaborate service filled with chanting in the compound at Holy Etchmiadzin, the headquarters of the Armenian Church near Yerevan. 
 
The pope, who delighted his hosts by referring several times to the slaughters and visiting Yerevan&#39;s genocide memorial, has urged Armenia and Turkey to seek reconciliation and to shun &quot;the illusory power of vengeance&quot;. 
 
The dispute about the massacres and differences over Yerevan&#39;s support of the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan, have led to fraught relations that include closed borders and a lack of diplomatic ties. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

The Vatican defended saying he is not trying to 'organise wars or build walls, but wants to build bridges'.

The Vatican hit back today at Turkey's depiction of Pope Francis as having a "Crusader mentality" after he used the word genocide to describe the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians a century ago. "The pope is on no crusade. He is not trying to organise wars or build walls, but he wants to build bridges," spokesman father Federico Lombardi told reporters. "He has not said a word against the Turkish people." Addressing Armenia's president, the government and diplomats on Friday, Francis departed from his prepared text to use the word "genocide", a description that infuriated Turkey when he first used it a year ago. Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Saturday it was "very unfortunate" the pope had used the word, adding: "It is unfortunately possible to see all the reflections and traces of Crusader mentality in the actions of the papacy and the pope." Francis, who returns to Rome today after visiting a monastery near the border with Turkey, first used the word last year in a ceremony at the Vatican. An infuriated Turkey responded by recalling its ambassador to the Vatican and keeping him away for 10 months. Turkey accepts that many Christian Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were killed in clashes with Ottoman forces during World War I, but contests the figures and denies that the killings were systematically orchestrated, and constitute a genocide. It also says many Muslim Turks perished at that time. Today morning, at the last main event of his three-day trip to Armenia, Francis again made reference to the massacre, paying homage to "the many victims of hatred who suffered and gave their lives for the faith". Unusually for the pope, he was a guest in a Christian liturgy where someone else called "His Holiness" presided. The "divine liturgy" was presided over by Catholicos Karekin II, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which split from Rome over a theological dispute in the fifth century and is part of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Francis sat to one side as Karekin led an elaborate service filled with chanting in the compound at Holy Etchmiadzin, the headquarters of the Armenian Church near Yerevan. The pope, who delighted his hosts by referring several times to the slaughters and visiting Yerevan's genocide memorial, has urged Armenia and Turkey to seek reconciliation and to shun "the illusory power of vengeance". The dispute about the massacres and differences over Yerevan's support of the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan, have led to fraught relations that include closed borders and a lack of diplomatic ties. (Reuters)

Vatican hits back at Turkey for calling pope 'crusader'

Turkey has condemned as &quot;very unfortunate&quot; Pope Francis&#39;s declaration that the mass killings of Armenians a century ago by Ottoman forces amounted to a genocide, saying it bore traces of &quot;the mentality of the Crusades.&quot; 
 
&quot;It is not an objective statement that conforms with reality,&quot; Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canlikli said late on Saturday, quoted by the state-run news agency Anadolu. 
 
The pope on Friday denounced the World War I killing of Armenians as a genocide, prompting Turkey&#39;s anger. 
 
&quot;Sadly this tragedy, this genocide, was the first of the deplorable series of catastrophes of the past century,&quot; the pope said at the presidential palace in Yerevan. 
 
Canikli said: &quot;It is possible to see all the hallmarks or reflections of the mentality of the Crusades in the Pope&#39;s activities.&quot; 
 
When Francis last used the term in the Vatican in 2015, on the centenary of the killings, Ankara angrily recalled its envoy from the Holy See for nearly a year. 
 
The pope on Saturday visited the Armenian genocide memorial in Yerevan but sought to strike a conciliatory tone during evening prayers. 
 
&quot;May God bless your future and grant that the people of Armenia and Turkey take up again the path of reconciliation, and may peace also spring forth in Nagorny Karabakh,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
Armenians have long sought international recognition for the World War I killings as genocide. 
 
Turkey -- the Ottoman Empire&#39;s successor state -- argues that it was a collective tragedy in which both Turks and Armenians died. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

'It is not an objective statement that conforms with reality,' said deputy prime minister Nurettin Canlikli

Turkey has condemned as "very unfortunate" Pope Francis's declaration that the mass killings of Armenians a century ago by Ottoman forces amounted to a genocide, saying it bore traces of "the mentality of the Crusades." "It is not an objective statement that conforms with reality," Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canlikli said late on Saturday, quoted by the state-run news agency Anadolu. The pope on Friday denounced the World War I killing of Armenians as a genocide, prompting Turkey's anger. "Sadly this tragedy, this genocide, was the first of the deplorable series of catastrophes of the past century," the pope said at the presidential palace in Yerevan. Canikli said: "It is possible to see all the hallmarks or reflections of the mentality of the Crusades in the Pope's activities." When Francis last used the term in the Vatican in 2015, on the centenary of the killings, Ankara angrily recalled its envoy from the Holy See for nearly a year. The pope on Saturday visited the Armenian genocide memorial in Yerevan but sought to strike a conciliatory tone during evening prayers. "May God bless your future and grant that the people of Armenia and Turkey take up again the path of reconciliation, and may peace also spring forth in Nagorny Karabakh," he said. Armenians have long sought international recognition for the World War I killings as genocide. Turkey -- the Ottoman Empire's successor state -- argues that it was a collective tragedy in which both Turks and Armenians died. (AFP)

After Pope calls massacre of Armenians genocide, Turkey retorts: 'Crusades mentality'

Turkish police fired tear gas in central Istanbul today to disperse dozens of activists attempting to gather to mark the annual Gay Pride week after authorities banned their march. 
 
The Gay Pride march, which had taken place without incident every year since 2003 with the exception of last year, had been called off on Friday, but hundreds of policemen were still deployed near Taksim Square. 
 
At least seven activists were detained, protesters said, while police chased others into side streets, some of which were shut to traffic. 
 
The Istanbul governor&#39;s office last week said the march had been banned out of concern for public order. Security in the city is already tight after a series of bombings in recent months blamed on Islamic State and Kurdish militants. 
 
But an ultra-nationalist youth group had also threatened violence if the march went ahead, calling it immoral. 
 
Last Sunday, Istanbul riot police used tear gas and rubber pellets to disperse a march for transgender people, which had also been banned. 
 
(Reuters)

Activists gathered after Istanbul's governor banned the annual Gay Pride march out of concern for public order

Turkish police fired tear gas in central Istanbul today to disperse dozens of activists attempting to gather to mark the annual Gay Pride week after authorities banned their march. The Gay Pride march, which had taken place without incident every year since 2003 with the exception of last year, had been called off on Friday, but hundreds of policemen were still deployed near Taksim Square. At least seven activists were detained, protesters said, while police chased others into side streets, some of which were shut to traffic. The Istanbul governor's office last week said the march had been banned out of concern for public order. Security in the city is already tight after a series of bombings in recent months blamed on Islamic State and Kurdish militants. But an ultra-nationalist youth group had also threatened violence if the march went ahead, calling it immoral. Last Sunday, Istanbul riot police used tear gas and rubber pellets to disperse a march for transgender people, which had also been banned. (Reuters)

Turkish police fire tear gas in Istanbul to disperse Gay Pride activists

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;met the leader of the radical Palestinian group Hamas for unscheduled talks following reports that Ankara was close to agreeing a deal on normalising ties with Israel. 
 
Erdogan received the Doha-based Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, whose group rules the Gaza Strip, at the Ottoman-era Yildiz Palace in Istanbul, the official Anadolu Agency reported, quoting presidential sources. 
 
Turkish press reports have said Israel and Turkey could hold final talks on normalising ties&nbsp;on Sunday&nbsp;but this is yet to be confirmed. 
 
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;there was a &quot;large possibility&quot; the negotiations would take place by the end of this month. 
 
Anadolu said Erdogan and Meshaal discussed how to ease the humanitarian problems of the Palestinians and how to bridge the differences between Hamas and the other main Palestinian group Fatah. 
 
The report made no reference to the Turkish talks with Israel. 
 
Previously tight relations between Israel and key NATO member Turkey were significantly downgraded after Israeli commandos staged a deadly pre-dawn raid on a six-ship flotilla in May 2010 as it tried to run the blockade on Gaza. 
 
Two of Turkey&#39;s key conditions for normalisation,an apology and compensation, were largely met, leaving its third demand, that Israel lift its blockade on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, as the main obstacle. 
 
According to the Hurriyet daily, a compromise has been reached with Turkey set to send aid for Palestinians via the Israeli port of Ashdod rather than sending it directly to Gaza. 
 
(AFP)

Relations were downgraded after Israeli commandos staged a deadly pre-dawn raid on a Turkish flotilla trying to run the Gaza blockad

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday met the leader of the radical Palestinian group Hamas for unscheduled talks following reports that Ankara was close to agreeing a deal on normalising ties with Israel. Erdogan received the Doha-based Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, whose group rules the Gaza Strip, at the Ottoman-era Yildiz Palace in Istanbul, the official Anadolu Agency reported, quoting presidential sources. Turkish press reports have said Israel and Turkey could hold final talks on normalising ties on Sunday but this is yet to be confirmed. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday there was a "large possibility" the negotiations would take place by the end of this month. Anadolu said Erdogan and Meshaal discussed how to ease the humanitarian problems of the Palestinians and how to bridge the differences between Hamas and the other main Palestinian group Fatah. The report made no reference to the Turkish talks with Israel. Previously tight relations between Israel and key NATO member Turkey were significantly downgraded after Israeli commandos staged a deadly pre-dawn raid on a six-ship flotilla in May 2010 as it tried to run the blockade on Gaza. Two of Turkey's key conditions for normalisation,an apology and compensation, were largely met, leaving its third demand, that Israel lift its blockade on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, as the main obstacle. According to the Hurriyet daily, a compromise has been reached with Turkey set to send aid for Palestinians via the Israeli port of Ashdod rather than sending it directly to Gaza. (AFP)

Erdogan meets Hamas leader Meshaal amidst reports of Turkey normalising ties with Israel

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested Turkey could hold a referendum over whether to continue its long-stalled accession process to join the European Union. 
 
Angrily lashing out at the bloc`s treatment of Ankara, Erdogan said Turkey could hold a referendum along the lines of that in Britain, where voters are deciding Thursday whether to stay in the European Union or leave. 
 
&quot;We can stand up and ask the people just like the British are doing,&quot; Erdogan said in a speech late Wednesday after breaking the Ramadan fast, quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency. 
 
&quot;We would ask `Do we continue the negotiations with the European Union or do we end it?` If the people say `continue`, then we would carry on,&quot; Erdogan said. 
 
He accused the EU of not wanting to accept Turkey as a member as it is a &quot;Muslim-majority country&quot;. 
Erdogan said Turkey had been promised membership in 1963 but 53 years later nothing had happened.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Why are you stalling?&quot; he asked. 
 
It was in 1963 that Ankara and Brussels for the first time inked an association agreement stating that Turkey would aim to be a member of the bloc. 
 
After applying in 1987, Turkey began EU accession talks in 2005 but its membership bid has been held up by an array of problems. 
 
With the question of Turkey`s possible membership being raised in the British referendum, Ankara has been angered by comments from London suggesting that it has no realistic chance of joining the bloc in the medium term. 
 
During the campaign, Prime Minister David Cameron said Turkish membership was not &quot;remotely on the cards&quot; and may not happen until the year 3,000. 
 
(AFP)

The Turkish President accused the EU of not wanting to accept Turkey as a member as it is a 'Muslim-majority country'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested Turkey could hold a referendum over whether to continue its long-stalled accession process to join the European Union. Angrily lashing out at the bloc`s treatment of Ankara, Erdogan said Turkey could hold a referendum along the lines of that in Britain, where voters are deciding Thursday whether to stay in the European Union or leave. "We can stand up and ask the people just like the British are doing," Erdogan said in a speech late Wednesday after breaking the Ramadan fast, quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency. "We would ask `Do we continue the negotiations with the European Union or do we end it?` If the people say `continue`, then we would carry on," Erdogan said. He accused the EU of not wanting to accept Turkey as a member as it is a "Muslim-majority country". Erdogan said Turkey had been promised membership in 1963 but 53 years later nothing had happened. "Why are you stalling?" he asked. It was in 1963 that Ankara and Brussels for the first time inked an association agreement stating that Turkey would aim to be a member of the bloc. After applying in 1987, Turkey began EU accession talks in 2005 but its membership bid has been held up by an array of problems. With the question of Turkey`s possible membership being raised in the British referendum, Ankara has been angered by comments from London suggesting that it has no realistic chance of joining the bloc in the medium term. During the campaign, Prime Minister David Cameron said Turkish membership was not "remotely on the cards" and may not happen until the year 3,000. (AFP)

Turkey could hold UK-style referendum on stalled EU bid: Erdogan

Dozens of Turkish demonstrators gathered in Istanbul to protest the arrests of two journalists and an academic on charges of disseminating &quot;terrorist propaganda&quot;. A fourth journalist was released after a brief detention. 
 
Yesterday, protesters chanted &quot;a free press cannot be silenced&quot; and &quot;arrests, oppression cannot intimidate us&quot;. Others held up a banner that read: &quot;Thinking cannot be jailed&quot;. 
 
The demonstration comes a day after a Turkish court ordered the pre-trial arrest of Reporters Without Borders&#39; Turkey representative Erol Onderoglu, journalist Ahmet Nesin and academic Sebnem Korur Fincanci. 
 
The three had participated in a solidarity campaign in support of Ozgur Gundem, a pro-Kurdish publication subject to multiple investigations and lawsuits. 
 
Press freedom advocates warn that freedom of expression has dramatically declined in Turkey. More than a dozen journalists are in prison, although the government insists they have been jailed for criminal activity, not journalistic work. 
 
The state-run Anadolu Agency said Onderoglu, Nesin and Fincanci had acted as chief editors for a day for the pro-Kurdish publication and issues they edited in May and June included alleged terrorist propaganda. The news agency also said the court ordered the suspects&#39; arrest on &quot;strong criminal suspicion&quot;. 
 
Reporters Without Borders condemned their arrests as &quot;an unbelievable low for press freedom in Turkey&quot;. Human Rights Watch slammed the &quot;spurious allegations&quot; that led to the detention of three out of 44 participants in the solidarity campaign and urged their immediate release. 
 
HRW Europe and Central Asia Director, Hugh Williamson, said the arrests showed that &quot;Turkish authorities have no hesitation about targeting well-known rights defenders and journalists who have played a key role in documenting the sharp deterioration in human rights in the country&quot;. 
 
In a separate development, a New York-based journalist who covers the United Nations for the Turkish Hurriyet daily was released Tuesday morning. Razi Canikligil was detained for almost a full day after flying into Istanbul airport with his family. 
 
&quot;They arrested me in front of my three boys,&quot; Canikligil told the AP. &quot;They were very afraid.&quot; 
 
The journalist said an arrest warrant had been issued against him over a 2014 Twitter post on a troll account, which was mistakenly attributed to him and deemed to be offensive to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 
 
No charges were pressed against Canikligil, and his passport was returned to him after a night in detention at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. 
 
&quot;Everyone was suggesting that this was government pressure to shut me down,&quot; added the journalist. &quot;We didn&#39;t know what the issue 
was.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

Reporters Without Borders calls the arrests 'an unbelievable low for press freedom in Turkey', which has imprisoned over a dozen journalists

Dozens of Turkish demonstrators gathered in Istanbul to protest the arrests of two journalists and an academic on charges of disseminating "terrorist propaganda". A fourth journalist was released after a brief detention. Yesterday, protesters chanted "a free press cannot be silenced" and "arrests, oppression cannot intimidate us". Others held up a banner that read: "Thinking cannot be jailed". The demonstration comes a day after a Turkish court ordered the pre-trial arrest of Reporters Without Borders' Turkey representative Erol Onderoglu, journalist Ahmet Nesin and academic Sebnem Korur Fincanci. The three had participated in a solidarity campaign in support of Ozgur Gundem, a pro-Kurdish publication subject to multiple investigations and lawsuits. Press freedom advocates warn that freedom of expression has dramatically declined in Turkey. More than a dozen journalists are in prison, although the government insists they have been jailed for criminal activity, not journalistic work. The state-run Anadolu Agency said Onderoglu, Nesin and Fincanci had acted as chief editors for a day for the pro-Kurdish publication and issues they edited in May and June included alleged terrorist propaganda. The news agency also said the court ordered the suspects' arrest on "strong criminal suspicion". Reporters Without Borders condemned their arrests as "an unbelievable low for press freedom in Turkey". Human Rights Watch slammed the "spurious allegations" that led to the detention of three out of 44 participants in the solidarity campaign and urged their immediate release. HRW Europe and Central Asia Director, Hugh Williamson, said the arrests showed that "Turkish authorities have no hesitation about targeting well-known rights defenders and journalists who have played a key role in documenting the sharp deterioration in human rights in the country". In a separate development, a New York-based journalist who covers the United Nations for the Turkish Hurriyet daily was released Tuesday morning. Razi Canikligil was detained for almost a full day after flying into Istanbul airport with his family. "They arrested me in front of my three boys," Canikligil told the AP. "They were very afraid." The journalist said an arrest warrant had been issued against him over a 2014 Twitter post on a troll account, which was mistakenly attributed to him and deemed to be offensive to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. No charges were pressed against Canikligil, and his passport was returned to him after a night in detention at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. "Everyone was suggesting that this was government pressure to shut me down," added the journalist. "We didn't know what the issue was." (AFP)

Turkish demonstrators protest arrest of 2 journalists and 1 academic for 'terrorist propaganda'

Turkish border guards shot dead at least 11 Syrians, mostly from one family, as they tried to cross into Turkey from northwestern Syria, activists and a monitoring group said on Sunday. 
 
At least two women and four children were among those killed in the shootings overnight as the refugees sought to cross into Turkey from the border village of Khirbet al Jouz, the Britain-based Observatory for Human Rights said in a report backed up by several activists in the area. 
 
The monitor, which tracks violence across Syria, said it had documented the deaths of nearly sixty civilians while trying to flee from Syria since the start of the year in shooting incidents by Turkish border guards. 
 
Turkish officials were not immediately available for comment. 
 
Turkey, a major sponsor of groups fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has now closed its borders to Syrian refugees, but it is also hosting some 2.7 million registered Syrian refugees, about 280,000 of whom live in camps. 
 
Rockets launched from Syrian territory controlled by Islamic State militants have regularly struck Turkish border towns and have killed at least 20 people in recent months. 
 
Humanitarian bodies have urged Turkey to reopen its borders to admit Syrians fleeing the conflict. 
(Reuters)

Two women and four children were among those who were killed while they tried to cross into Turkey

Turkish border guards shot dead at least 11 Syrians, mostly from one family, as they tried to cross into Turkey from northwestern Syria, activists and a monitoring group said on Sunday. At least two women and four children were among those killed in the shootings overnight as the refugees sought to cross into Turkey from the border village of Khirbet al Jouz, the Britain-based Observatory for Human Rights said in a report backed up by several activists in the area. The monitor, which tracks violence across Syria, said it had documented the deaths of nearly sixty civilians while trying to flee from Syria since the start of the year in shooting incidents by Turkish border guards. Turkish officials were not immediately available for comment. Turkey, a major sponsor of groups fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has now closed its borders to Syrian refugees, but it is also hosting some 2.7 million registered Syrian refugees, about 280,000 of whom live in camps. Rockets launched from Syrian territory controlled by Islamic State militants have regularly struck Turkish border towns and have killed at least 20 people in recent months. Humanitarian bodies have urged Turkey to reopen its borders to admit Syrians fleeing the conflict. (Reuters)

Turkish troops kill 11 Syrians trying to cross border

US-backed Syrian forces edged closer to an Islamic State stronghold on the border with Turkey on Saturday while Russia&#39;s defence minister visited President Bashar al Assad to discuss military operations. 
 
The visit came only hours after the Syrian army and its Iranian-backed militias, which have been supported by Russian air power, lost several villages to Islamist rebels as they made significant advances in the countryside south of Aleppo. 
 
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rebel capture of three villages from government control - Zeitan, Khalsa and Barna - had caused significant losses among government forces and their allies. 
 
The villages lie in an strategic area near a main highway that links Aleppo with the capital Damascus. Government forces captured the area at the end of last year in a major offensive, assisted by Iranian-backed militias and Russian jets. 
 
State media said Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu visited an airbase in the coastal Latakia province on Saturday after his talks with Assad in Damascus. 
 
Russia&#39;s military intervention in Syria in September helped turn the tide in Assad&#39;s favour after months of gains in western Syria by rebel fighters, who were aided by foreign military supplies, including US-made anti-tank missiles. 
 
Russia, which has been bombing opposition-held areas, is blamed by the opposition and rights activists for causing hundreds of civilian deaths and targeting hospitals, schools and infrastructure in what they say are indiscriminate attacks. 
 
An escalation in Russian and Syrian air and artillery strikes in recent weeks around a highway to rebel held parts of the northern city of Aleppo has made the road virtually impassable, putting hundreds of thousands of people under siege and worsening their humanitarian plight. 
 
A 48-hour ceasefire in Aleppo announced by Russia on Thursday has had little impact on fighting, and air strikes and shelling have continued in and around the city. 
 
At least seven people died in rebel shelling of a neighbourhood of Aleppo held by the Kurdish YPG militia at dawn on Saturday, the Observatory said. 
 
Syrian helicopters also threw barrel bombs on several residential areas in opposition-held quarters. 
 
CLOSE TO MANBIJ 
 
Hundreds of people have been killed in Aleppo since peace talks broke off in April, as President Assad seeks to regain control of what was Syria&#39;s largest pre-war city, now split between rebel and government sectors. 
 
Washington and some other Western countries that have called on Assad to step down accuse Russia of focusing mostly on strikes against the moderate so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA), and less on attacking hardline Islamic State militants. 
 
On the border with Turkey, US-backed Syrian forces fought to the western entrance of Manbij city for the first time since a major offensive to seize the last territory held by Islamic State militants on the frontier, a source in the Syrian group said on Saturday. 
 
The source from the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance - which includes the powerful KurdishYek?ney?n Parastina Gel&lrm; (YPG) militia, Arab fighters and is being helped by scores of US special forces - told Reuters its troops were now almost two km from the city centre. 
 
Since the start of the offensive on May 31, the SDF has taken dozens of villages and farms around Manbij but has held back from entering the city with many thousands of people still trapped there. 
 
The SDF is one of a number of sides fighting in Syria&#39;s complex civil war which has pitted rebels against Assad and is now in its sixth year. 
 
The Observatory, which tracks violence across Syria, confirmed heavy fighting broke out for the first time on the edge of the city, adding that the militants had rammed a suicide vehicle into an SDF outpost but gave no details. 
 
Syrian government forces and some rebel groups are also fighting separate battles against Islamic State. The SDF has largely avoided fighting government forces and focuses on battling the hardline militants. 
(Reuters)

Syrian forces lost three villages to IS near a highway that links Aleppo to Damascus

US-backed Syrian forces edged closer to an Islamic State stronghold on the border with Turkey on Saturday while Russia's defence minister visited President Bashar al Assad to discuss military operations. The visit came only hours after the Syrian army and its Iranian-backed militias, which have been supported by Russian air power, lost several villages to Islamist rebels as they made significant advances in the countryside south of Aleppo. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rebel capture of three villages from government control - Zeitan, Khalsa and Barna - had caused significant losses among government forces and their allies. The villages lie in an strategic area near a main highway that links Aleppo with the capital Damascus. Government forces captured the area at the end of last year in a major offensive, assisted by Iranian-backed militias and Russian jets. State media said Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu visited an airbase in the coastal Latakia province on Saturday after his talks with Assad in Damascus. Russia's military intervention in Syria in September helped turn the tide in Assad's favour after months of gains in western Syria by rebel fighters, who were aided by foreign military supplies, including US-made anti-tank missiles. Russia, which has been bombing opposition-held areas, is blamed by the opposition and rights activists for causing hundreds of civilian deaths and targeting hospitals, schools and infrastructure in what they say are indiscriminate attacks. An escalation in Russian and Syrian air and artillery strikes in recent weeks around a highway to rebel held parts of the northern city of Aleppo has made the road virtually impassable, putting hundreds of thousands of people under siege and worsening their humanitarian plight. A 48-hour ceasefire in Aleppo announced by Russia on Thursday has had little impact on fighting, and air strikes and shelling have continued in and around the city. At least seven people died in rebel shelling of a neighbourhood of Aleppo held by the Kurdish YPG militia at dawn on Saturday, the Observatory said. Syrian helicopters also threw barrel bombs on several residential areas in opposition-held quarters. CLOSE TO MANBIJ Hundreds of people have been killed in Aleppo since peace talks broke off in April, as President Assad seeks to regain control of what was Syria's largest pre-war city, now split between rebel and government sectors. Washington and some other Western countries that have called on Assad to step down accuse Russia of focusing mostly on strikes against the moderate so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA), and less on attacking hardline Islamic State militants. On the border with Turkey, US-backed Syrian forces fought to the western entrance of Manbij city for the first time since a major offensive to seize the last territory held by Islamic State militants on the frontier, a source in the Syrian group said on Saturday. The source from the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance - which includes the powerful KurdishYek?ney?n Parastina Gel‎ (YPG) militia, Arab fighters and is being helped by scores of US special forces - told Reuters its troops were now almost two km from the city centre. Since the start of the offensive on May 31, the SDF has taken dozens of villages and farms around Manbij but has held back from entering the city with many thousands of people still trapped there. The SDF is one of a number of sides fighting in Syria's complex civil war which has pitted rebels against Assad and is now in its sixth year. The Observatory, which tracks violence across Syria, confirmed heavy fighting broke out for the first time on the edge of the city, adding that the militants had rammed a suicide vehicle into an SDF outpost but gave no details. Syrian government forces and some rebel groups are also fighting separate battles against Islamic State. The SDF has largely avoided fighting government forces and focuses on battling the hardline militants. (Reuters)

US-backed forces advance against Islamic State in Syria

Turkish riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up a rally of about 50 members of the LGBT community in Istanbul on Sunday, an AFP correspondent said. 
 
Several hundred policeman surrounded the city`s main Taksim Square to prevent the demonstration taking place during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan 
(AFP)

Hundreds of policemen surround the area to prevent 50-LGBT members from demonstrating during Ramzan

Turkish riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up a rally of about 50 members of the LGBT community in Istanbul on Sunday, an AFP correspondent said. Several hundred policeman surrounded the city`s main Taksim Square to prevent the demonstration taking place during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan (AFP)

Riot police fires rubber bullets and tear gas at LGBT rally in Istanbul

Ten Islamic State militants were killed in northern Syria by coalition air strikes and cross-border artillery fire from Turkey, military sources said today. 
A total of 17 targets, including mortar positions, were hit in the operations which were carried out on militants thought to have been preparing for an attack on Turkey, the sources said. 
(Reuters)

The strikes targeted 17 targets of the Islamic State fighters who, military sources say, were preparing to attack Turkey

Ten Islamic State militants were killed in northern Syria by coalition air strikes and cross-border artillery fire from Turkey, military sources said today. A total of 17 targets, including mortar positions, were hit in the operations which were carried out on militants thought to have been preparing for an attack on Turkey, the sources said. (Reuters)

Coalition airstrikes, Turkish shelling kill 10 IS militants in Syria

Turkey&#39;s president warned Germany on Tuesday that its plans to declare the 1915 mass killing of Armenians a genocide would damage bilateral ties, raising new concerns about an EU-Turkey migrant deal championed by Chancellor Angela Merkel.

German lawmakers are expected to approve a symbolic resolution on Thursday that labels the killings of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman forces &quot;genocide&quot;, a description that Turkey strongly rejects.

The vote had been scheduled to take place over a year ago, on the 100th anniversary of the massacre, but Merkel&#39;s allies in parliament pushed it back repeatedly out of concern that it could hurt relations with Ankara.

Now they have run out of time and may be wishing they had let the vote take place sooner.

The opposition Greens have pushed the resolution onto the agenda at an extremely awkward time for Merkel, the driving force behind an agreement between the EU and Ankara that has helped slash the number of illegal migrants entering Europe.

The deal has eased political pressure on Merkel at home. But it has been under a cloud since its strongest proponent in the Turkish government, Ahmet Davutoglu, was pushed out as prime minister this month. Since then, President Tayyip Erdogan has questioned aspects of the agreement and some of his allies have even threatened to unleash a new wave of refugees on Europe.

In comments to reporters before he left for an official visit to&nbsp;Africa, Erdogan lashed out at those who he said were trying to &quot;deceive&quot; Germany over the 1915 events, without accusing anyone in particular.

&quot;If Germany is to be deceived by this, then bilateral diplomatic, economic, trade, political, and military ties - we are both NATO countries - will be damaged,&quot; he said.

The comments came after he spoke to Merkel by telephone to express his concern about the resolution. Sources in both capitals said Erdogan had initiated the call.

&nbsp;

GERMAN HISTORY

The resolution, which is formally supported by Merkel&#39;s conservative bloc, the centre-left Social Democrats and the Greens, uses the word &quot;genocide&quot; in the headline and text.

&quot;The fate of the Armenians is exemplary in the history of mass exterminations, ethnic cleansing, deportations and yes, genocide, which marked the 20th century in such a terrible way,&quot; it reads.

The resolution also touches on the &quot;inglorious&quot; role of the German Empire, a military ally of the Ottomans, because it did nothing to stop the massacre.

Turkey argues that the there was no organised campaign to wipe out the Armenians, who are Christian, and no evidence of any such orders from the Ottoman authorities.

Cem Oezdemir, a leader of the Greens with Turkish roots, told Reuters he had experienced weeks of personal attacks from Turkish nationalists on social media and via email because of his role in championing the resolution.

&quot;It wasn&#39;t our goal to hold this vote now,&quot; Oezdemir said. &quot;But the timing is not that important. The Bundestag is doing this because this is also a part of German history. The Ottoman and German empires were essentially brothers in arms.&quot;

The vote coincides with deepening public scepticism in Germany towards Turkey and Erdogan in particular. Critics accuse Merkel of going soft on Ankara over human rights because of her desire to stem the flow of migrants.

Last month she drew fire for allowing German prosecutors to look into charges against a comedian who mocked Erdogan in a crude poem. The comedian, Jan Boehmermann, has accused Merkel of serving him &quot;up for tea to a highly strung despot&quot;.

Merkel and other top ministers are expected to vote for the resolution, although some, including Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, have questioned the wisdom of it in public.

Some officials fear it could stir tensions with the roughly 3 million people of Turkish origin who live in Germany.

Last year, German President Joachim Gauck condemned the killings of Armenians as &quot;genocide&quot; in a speech to mark the 100th anniversary of the massacres. Germany had previously avoided using the term in connection with the massacre.

Turkey's president warned Germany on Tuesday that its plans to declare the 1915 mass killing of Armenians a genocide would damage bilateral ties, raising new concerns about an EU-Turkey migrant deal championed by Chancellor Angela Merkel

Turkey's president warned Germany on Tuesday that its plans to declare the 1915 mass killing of Armenians a genocide would damage bilateral ties, raising new concerns about an EU-Turkey migrant deal championed by Chancellor Angela Merkel. German lawmakers are expected to approve a symbolic resolution on Thursday that labels the killings of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman forces "genocide", a description that Turkey strongly rejects. The vote had been scheduled to take place over a year ago, on the 100th anniversary of the massacre, but Merkel's allies in parliament pushed it back repeatedly out of concern that it could hurt relations with Ankara. Now they have run out of time and may be wishing they had let the vote take place sooner. The opposition Greens have pushed the resolution onto the agenda at an extremely awkward time for Merkel, the driving force behind an agreement between the EU and Ankara that has helped slash the number of illegal migrants entering Europe. The deal has eased political pressure on Merkel at home. But it has been under a cloud since its strongest proponent in the Turkish government, Ahmet Davutoglu, was pushed out as prime minister this month. Since then, President Tayyip Erdogan has questioned aspects of the agreement and some of his allies have even threatened to unleash a new wave of refugees on Europe. In comments to reporters before he left for an official visit to Africa, Erdogan lashed out at those who he said were trying to "deceive" Germany over the 1915 events, without accusing anyone in particular. "If Germany is to be deceived by this, then bilateral diplomatic, economic, trade, political, and military ties - we are both NATO countries - will be damaged," he said. The comments came after he spoke to Merkel by telephone to express his concern about the resolution. Sources in both capitals said Erdogan had initiated the call. GERMAN HISTORY The resolution, which is formally supported by Merkel's conservative bloc, the centre-left Social Democrats and the Greens, uses the word "genocide" in the headline and text. "The fate of the Armenians is exemplary in the history of mass exterminations, ethnic cleansing, deportations and yes, genocide, which marked the 20th century in such a terrible way," it reads. The resolution also touches on the "inglorious" role of the German Empire, a military ally of the Ottomans, because it did nothing to stop the massacre. Turkey argues that the there was no organised campaign to wipe out the Armenians, who are Christian, and no evidence of any such orders from the Ottoman authorities. Cem Oezdemir, a leader of the Greens with Turkish roots, told Reuters he had experienced weeks of personal attacks from Turkish nationalists on social media and via email because of his role in championing the resolution. "It wasn't our goal to hold this vote now," Oezdemir said. "But the timing is not that important. The Bundestag is doing this because this is also a part of German history. The Ottoman and German empires were essentially brothers in arms." The vote coincides with deepening public scepticism in Germany towards Turkey and Erdogan in particular. Critics accuse Merkel of going soft on Ankara over human rights because of her desire to stem the flow of migrants. Last month she drew fire for allowing German prosecutors to look into charges against a comedian who mocked Erdogan in a crude poem. The comedian, Jan Boehmermann, has accused Merkel of serving him "up for tea to a highly strung despot". Merkel and other top ministers are expected to vote for the resolution, although some, including Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, have questioned the wisdom of it in public. Some officials fear it could stir tensions with the roughly 3 million people of Turkish origin who live in Germany. Last year, German President Joachim Gauck condemned the killings of Armenians as "genocide" in a speech to mark the 100th anniversary of the massacres. Germany had previously avoided using the term in connection with the massacre.

Erdogan warns Germany ahead of Armenian genocide vote

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