Pirates attacked a Turkish cargo ship off the West African coast, kidnapping 15 sailors and killing an Azerbaijani sailor.

Turkey's Maritime Directorate said the crew initially locked themselves in a safe area but the pirates forced entry after six hours. During the struggle, one crew member aboard the M/V Mozart died.

Turkish media identified the victim as engineer Farman Ismayilov of Azerbaijan, the only non-Turkish crew member.

That left three crew members to sail the Liberian-flagged Mozart owned by a Turkish company.

The Liberian-flagged Mozart was sailing from Lagos, Nigeria, to Cape Town in South Africa when it was attacked 185 km northwest of the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe on Saturday morning.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has twice spoken to the senior officer remaining on the ship, Furkan Yaren, the Turkish presidency said in a tweet. It added that Erdogan issued orders for the recovery of the kidnapped crew.

Earlier, a voice from the Mozart -- purportedly that of the new captain -- had said on a recording posted on Twitter: "I do not know where I am heading. The pirates cut the cables, only the radar is working."

Ten sailors who were taken hostage from a Turkish vessel off West Africa were released in August 2019.

Pirate attacks on ships worldwide jumped 20 percent last year driven by a record spate of kidnappings off West Africa, the International Maritime Bureau said last week.

A total of 195 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported, up from 162 in 2019.

Out of 135 sailors abducted globally last year, 130 were recorded in the Gulf of Guinea -- the highest ever number of crew members kidnapped in the area stretching thousands of kilometres (miles) from Senegal to Angola.

In July 2019, ten Turkish seamen were kidnapped off the coast of Nigeria. They were released less than a month later.

Pirates attacked a Turkish cargo ship off the West African coast, kidnapping 15 sailors and killing an Azerbaijani sailor. Turkey's Maritime Directorate said the crew initially locked themselves in a safe area but the pirates forced entry after six hours.

Pirates attacked a Turkish cargo ship off the West African coast, kidnapping 15 sailors and killing an Azerbaijani sailor. Turkey's Maritime Directorate said the crew initially locked themselves in a safe area but the pirates forced entry after six hours. During the struggle, one crew member aboard the M/V Mozart died. Turkish media identified the victim as engineer Farman Ismayilov of Azerbaijan, the only non-Turkish crew member. That left three crew members to sail the Liberian-flagged Mozart owned by a Turkish company. The Liberian-flagged Mozart was sailing from Lagos, Nigeria, to Cape Town in South Africa when it was attacked 185 km northwest of the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe on Saturday morning. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has twice spoken to the senior officer remaining on the ship, Furkan Yaren, the Turkish presidency said in a tweet. It added that Erdogan issued orders for the recovery of the kidnapped crew. Earlier, a voice from the Mozart -- purportedly that of the new captain -- had said on a recording posted on Twitter: "I do not know where I am heading. The pirates cut the cables, only the radar is working." Ten sailors who were taken hostage from a Turkish vessel off West Africa were released in August 2019. Pirate attacks on ships worldwide jumped 20 percent last year driven by a record spate of kidnappings off West Africa, the International Maritime Bureau said last week. A total of 195 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported, up from 162 in 2019. Out of 135 sailors abducted globally last year, 130 were recorded in the Gulf of Guinea -- the highest ever number of crew members kidnapped in the area stretching thousands of kilometres (miles) from Senegal to Angola. In July 2019, ten Turkish seamen were kidnapped off the coast of Nigeria. They were released less than a month later.

Pirates kill one, kidnap 15 crew of Turkish ship off West Africa

For the longest time in recent history, Turkey tried to maintain a facade of a peace-loving, secular country in hopes of making it to the European Union.

In 1959, Turkey applied for EEC, or the European Economic Community membership, which was accepted. In 1989, Turkey applied for a full membership of the European Union. But Europe was not comfortable with the idea of letting Turkey in, claiming it is a very populous country. Turkey also had disputes over Cyprus, prompting EU to be careful.

In 2007, France&nbsp; and Germany blocked all negotiation about Turkey's EU membership after because the country refused to admit its role in the Armenian genocide. In 2016, after the failed military coup, Turkey’s human rights record worsened.

New dream

In the last 15 years, Turkey has been chasing a new dream. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the current president of Turkey came to power in 2003, when he was the prime minister. Erdogan wanted to become the Caliph, or in other words, the ruler of the Muslim world.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modern-day-turkey-armed-and-reckless-333280" hreflang="en">Modern-day Turkey: Armed and reckless</a>

On paper, Erdogan maintained that joining the EU was Turkey's strategic goal. But in practice, Erdogan was looking east, towards the Arab world.

Turkey refused to recognise the Republic of Cyprus. In 2013, Turkish police cracked down on protesters. In 2014, and 2016, the government launched a purge, and Erdogan became more authoritarian.

To justify its posturing in West Asia, Turkey started dwelling on it Ottoman history. With his intervention in Syria and Iraq, Erdogan became unapologetically authoritarian.

Turkey's present goal does not include peace or Brussels: it involves unseating Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Muslim world.

Saudi Arabia is the guardian of the Muslim holy places of Mecca and Medina. Turkey wants to project itself as a country not too concerned with the Shia-Sunni divide.

The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi gave Erdogan the opportunity to slam Saudi Arabia. He uses Pakistan as a tool against Saudi dominance. And he buys Pakistan's loyalty with anti-India statements on Kashmir.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/unga-2020-erdogan-calls-kashmir-conflict-a-burning-issue-329483" hreflang="en">UNGA 2020: Erdogan calls Kashmir conflict a 'burning issue'</a>

Turkey could have been the bridge between the Muslim and the secular world. But Erdogan chose to be the wedge. His priority was to convert Istanbul's Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque.

Turkey's army is one of the most powerful in the NATO, and he’s using it to fuel the fight between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Why?

Azerbaijan is a Muslim country with oil. Erdogan's dreams of a caliphate do not acknowledge boundaries and contradictions. He attacks the ISIS, then does business with it. He fights for the Muslim brotherhood, but also commits crimes against the Kurds. He occupies parts of Syria. But contests Israeli occupation of the West Bank. He remains a member of the NATO, but fights NATO forces in the Mediterranean. Turkey now stands between democracy and dictatorship; the West and West Asia.

For the longest time in recent history, Turkey tried to maintain a facade of a peace-loving, secular country in hopes of making it to the European Union. In 1959, Turkey applied for EEC, or the European Economic Community membership, which was accepted.

For the longest time in recent history, Turkey tried to maintain a facade of a peace-loving, secular country in hopes of making it to the European Union. In 1959, Turkey applied for EEC, or the European Economic Community membership, which was accepted. In 1989, Turkey applied for a full membership of the European Union. But Europe was not comfortable with the idea of letting Turkey in, claiming it is a very populous country. Turkey also had disputes over Cyprus, prompting EU to be careful. In 2007, France and Germany blocked all negotiation about Turkey's EU membership after because the country refused to admit its role in the Armenian genocide. In 2016, after the failed military coup, Turkey’s human rights record worsened. New dream In the last 15 years, Turkey has been chasing a new dream. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the current president of Turkey came to power in 2003, when he was the prime minister. Erdogan wanted to become the Caliph, or in other words, the ruler of the Muslim world. Also read: Modern-day Turkey: Armed and reckless On paper, Erdogan maintained that joining the EU was Turkey's strategic goal. But in practice, Erdogan was looking east, towards the Arab world. Turkey refused to recognise the Republic of Cyprus. In 2013, Turkish police cracked down on protesters. In 2014, and 2016, the government launched a purge, and Erdogan became more authoritarian. To justify its posturing in West Asia, Turkey started dwelling on it Ottoman history. With his intervention in Syria and Iraq, Erdogan became unapologetically authoritarian. Turkey's present goal does not include peace or Brussels: it involves unseating Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia is the guardian of the Muslim holy places of Mecca and Medina. Turkey wants to project itself as a country not too concerned with the Shia-Sunni divide. The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi gave Erdogan the opportunity to slam Saudi Arabia. He uses Pakistan as a tool against Saudi dominance. And he buys Pakistan's loyalty with anti-India statements on Kashmir. Also read: UNGA 2020: Erdogan calls Kashmir conflict a 'burning issue' Turkey could have been the bridge between the Muslim and the secular world. But Erdogan chose to be the wedge. His priority was to convert Istanbul's Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque. Turkey's army is one of the most powerful in the NATO, and he’s using it to fuel the fight between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Why? Azerbaijan is a Muslim country with oil. Erdogan's dreams of a caliphate do not acknowledge boundaries and contradictions. He attacks the ISIS, then does business with it. He fights for the Muslim brotherhood, but also commits crimes against the Kurds. He occupies parts of Syria. But contests Israeli occupation of the West Bank. He remains a member of the NATO, but fights NATO forces in the Mediterranean. Turkey now stands between democracy and dictatorship; the West and West Asia.

Turkey under Erdogan: Caught between democracy and dictatorship

The Greek government welcomed a Turkish survey vessel’s return to port on Sunday from a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean. The area has been at the heart of a summer stand-off between Greece and Turkey over energy rights.

Turkey sent the Oruc Reis research vessel to disputed waters near a Greek island on August 10 and prolonged the mission three times despite repeated calls from the European Union and Greece to stop.

But its deployment was scheduled to end on Saturday and has not been renewed by the Turkish authorities, pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak reported, adding that it had returned to Antalya port.

The decision not to extend the ship's mission was viewed as "a step towards giving diplomacy a chance," the newspaper wrote, linking it to attempts to kickstart talks between Greece and Turkey.

Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas welcomed the apparent withdrawal in an interview to Skai TV on Sunday.

"This is a positive signal. We will see how this develops to make a proper assessment," he said.

NATO said earlier this month that officials from both sides had agreed to take part in technical talks to avoid accidents between their navies.

Athens denied this was the case, but the Turkish defence ministry said on Thursday that the first round of talks between Greek and Turkish military delegations took place at NATO's headquarters in Brussels.

While Turkey repeatedly said it was ready for dialogue without preconditions, Greece said there could only be talks once Ankara stopped making "threats".

Tensions escalated after Turkey sent the seismic research vessel and a small navy flotilla to waters claimed by Greece last month.

Greece then responded by shadowing the Turkish ships and staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates in its own show of force.

Leaders of seven European countries on the Mediterranean met at a summit last week in Corsica where they said they were ready to back EU sanctions on Turkey over the dispute.

The Greek government welcomed a Turkish survey vessel’s return to port on Sunday from a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean. The area has been at the heart of a summer stand-off between Greece and Turkey over energy rights.

The Greek government welcomed a Turkish survey vessel’s return to port on Sunday from a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean. The area has been at the heart of a summer stand-off between Greece and Turkey over energy rights. Turkey sent the Oruc Reis research vessel to disputed waters near a Greek island on August 10 and prolonged the mission three times despite repeated calls from the European Union and Greece to stop. But its deployment was scheduled to end on Saturday and has not been renewed by the Turkish authorities, pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak reported, adding that it had returned to Antalya port. The decision not to extend the ship's mission was viewed as "a step towards giving diplomacy a chance," the newspaper wrote, linking it to attempts to kickstart talks between Greece and Turkey. Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas welcomed the apparent withdrawal in an interview to Skai TV on Sunday. "This is a positive signal. We will see how this develops to make a proper assessment," he said. NATO said earlier this month that officials from both sides had agreed to take part in technical talks to avoid accidents between their navies. Athens denied this was the case, but the Turkish defence ministry said on Thursday that the first round of talks between Greek and Turkish military delegations took place at NATO's headquarters in Brussels. While Turkey repeatedly said it was ready for dialogue without preconditions, Greece said there could only be talks once Ankara stopped making "threats". Tensions escalated after Turkey sent the seismic research vessel and a small navy flotilla to waters claimed by Greece last month. Greece then responded by shadowing the Turkish ships and staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates in its own show of force. Leaders of seven European countries on the Mediterranean met at a summit last week in Corsica where they said they were ready to back EU sanctions on Turkey over the dispute.

Turkish vessel leaves contested waters, Greece hails decision as 'positive sign'

The Syrian army has sent troops to confront Turkish aggression. This move came after successful negotiations between the Kurds and the Bashar al-Assad government to form a united front against the invasion.

Residents of northern Syria were seen celebrating the Kurd-Damascus deal as United States President Donald Trump ordered all US troops to withdraw from the area to avoid getting caught in the middle of the fast-escalating conflict.

In a series of tweets, Trump said that it was a very smart move not to get involved in the Syria offensive as the Turks and Kurds have been fighting each other for years.

Trump asked the Turks and Kurds to ensure that ISIS prisoners don't escape.&nbsp;

This came after nearly 800 ISIS supporters escaped the poorly guarded jails run by the Kurds.&nbsp;

Remember, the Kurds have abandoned prison posts to resist the Turkish onslaught, leading to concerns over the revival of the isis.

The Turkish offensive continued to escalate as Ankara-backed rebels captured a second Syrian border town. The Syrian Observatory for human rights has said that civilians were also killed in the fighting.

Over a lakh civilians have been displaced as the rebels were known as the 'national army' entered the Tel Abyad town.

Meanwhile, amid fears of a Kurdish genocide, french president Emmanuel Macron said that the Turkish invasion is paving way for an unbearable humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

However, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan vowed to continue the offensive as he dismissed warnings from Ankara's western allies.

Turkey has said that it wants to create a 'buffer zone' along the Syrian border. It wants to expel Kurds from the region and settle Syrian Arabs who fled to Turkey to escape the war at home.

Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish fighter group the YPG as an offshoot of the separatist Turk-Kurdish party the PKK.

Turkish offensive began after US Announced troops pullout from Syria.&nbsp;

The YPG-led Syrian democratic front played a key role in Washington's fight against the Islamic state in Syria.

The Syrian army has sent troops to confront Turkish aggression. This move came after successful negotiations between the Kurds and the Bashar al-Assad government to form a united front against the invasion.

The Syrian army has sent troops to confront Turkish aggression. This move came after successful negotiations between the Kurds and the Bashar al-Assad government to form a united front against the invasion. Residents of northern Syria were seen celebrating the Kurd-Damascus deal as United States President Donald Trump ordered all US troops to withdraw from the area to avoid getting caught in the middle of the fast-escalating conflict. In a series of tweets, Trump said that it was a very smart move not to get involved in the Syria offensive as the Turks and Kurds have been fighting each other for years. Trump asked the Turks and Kurds to ensure that ISIS prisoners don't escape. This came after nearly 800 ISIS supporters escaped the poorly guarded jails run by the Kurds. Remember, the Kurds have abandoned prison posts to resist the Turkish onslaught, leading to concerns over the revival of the isis. The Turkish offensive continued to escalate as Ankara-backed rebels captured a second Syrian border town. The Syrian Observatory for human rights has said that civilians were also killed in the fighting. Over a lakh civilians have been displaced as the rebels were known as the 'national army' entered the Tel Abyad town. Meanwhile, amid fears of a Kurdish genocide, french president Emmanuel Macron said that the Turkish invasion is paving way for an unbearable humanitarian crisis. However, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan vowed to continue the offensive as he dismissed warnings from Ankara's western allies. Turkey has said that it wants to create a 'buffer zone' along the Syrian border. It wants to expel Kurds from the region and settle Syrian Arabs who fled to Turkey to escape the war at home. Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish fighter group the YPG as an offshoot of the separatist Turk-Kurdish party the PKK. Turkish offensive began after US Announced troops pullout from Syria. The YPG-led Syrian democratic front played a key role in Washington's fight against the Islamic state in Syria.

Celebrations erupt as Kurds and Syrian government reach a deal

As Turkey continued to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/celebrations-erupt-as-kurds-and-syrian-government-reach-a-deal-255737">push inside northeast Syria</a>, US President Donald Trump said Europe had the chance to get Islamic State terrorists but "did not want the cost".

"We are not going into another war between people who have been fighting with each other for 200 years," the US president said, adding,"Europe had a chance to get their ISIS prisoners, but didn’t want the cost."

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Brian Kilmeade over at <a href="https://twitter.com/foxandfriends?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@foxandfriends</a> got it all wrong. We are not going into another war between people who have been fighting with each other for 200 years. Europe had a chance to get their ISIS prisoners, but didn’t want the cost. “Let the USA pay,” they said...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1183702528787189767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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“Let the USA pay,” they said," Trump added.

"Big sanctions on Turkey coming! Do people really think we should go to war with NATO member Turkey? Never ending wars will end!" Trump said.

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....Kurds may be releasing some to get us involved. Easily recaptured by Turkey or European Nations from where many came, but they should move quickly. Big sanctions on Turkey coming! Do people really think we should go to war with NATO Member Turkey? Never ending wars will end!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1183702529403695104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"The same people who got us into the Middle East mess are the people who most want to stay there!&nbsp;he added.

Meanwhile, Turkey denied that its offensive in northern Syria had allowed Islamic State prisoners to break out of detention camps

Turkey President Erdogan had earlier hit out at "disinformation" reports that Turkey's offensive in notheast Syria had allowed Islamic State prisoners to escape.&nbsp;

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/day-5-of-turkeys-military-operation-in-syria-255702/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Kurdish authorities had said on Sunday that 800 IS family members being held in a camp at Ain Issa had fled due to Turkish bombing.&nbsp;

NATO member France had said earlier that it was "worried" by the situation and called for an end to the Turkish offensive even as Turkey continued its offensive push.

 
&nbsp;

As Turkey continued to push inside northeast Syria, US President Donald Trump said Europe had the chance to get Islamic State terrorists but "did not want the cost".

As Turkey continued to push inside northeast Syria, US President Donald Trump said Europe had the chance to get Islamic State terrorists but "did not want the cost". "We are not going into another war between people who have been fighting with each other for 200 years," the US president said, adding,"Europe had a chance to get their ISIS prisoners, but didn’t want the cost." Brian Kilmeade over at @foxandfriends got it all wrong. We are not going into another war between people who have been fighting with each other for 200 years. Europe had a chance to get their ISIS prisoners, but didn’t want the cost. “Let the USA pay,” they said... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019 × “Let the USA pay,” they said," Trump added. "Big sanctions on Turkey coming! Do people really think we should go to war with NATO member Turkey? Never ending wars will end!" Trump said. ....Kurds may be releasing some to get us involved. Easily recaptured by Turkey or European Nations from where many came, but they should move quickly. Big sanctions on Turkey coming! Do people really think we should go to war with NATO Member Turkey? Never ending wars will end! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019 × "The same people who got us into the Middle East mess are the people who most want to stay there! he added. Meanwhile, Turkey denied that its offensive in northern Syria had allowed Islamic State prisoners to break out of detention camps Turkey President Erdogan had earlier hit out at "disinformation" reports that Turkey's offensive in notheast Syria had allowed Islamic State prisoners to escape. Watch Video: Kurdish authorities had said on Sunday that 800 IS family members being held in a camp at Ain Issa had fled due to Turkish bombing. NATO member France had said earlier that it was "worried" by the situation and called for an end to the Turkish offensive even as Turkey continued its offensive push.

Big sanctions coming on Turkey, declares US President Trump