Author: Daily Sabah
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the PKK terrorist group’s members in the YPG must leave Syria as the country tries to form a new, unified administration, which he said needs to be inclusive and tolerant. “Elimination of YPG is Türkiye’s strategic goal,” Fidan told a live broadcast on NTV channel Friday. He highlighted that the PKK’s Syrian offshoots have no place in the country’s future while noting that the safety of the Kurdish population must be ensured. “Syria now has a national ruling government,” Fidan said, adding that the new administration would not recognize the YPG or others. “They will…
First Lady Emine Erdoğan called for swift global action to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, as she warned against the environmental consequences of Israel’s genocidal attacks on Gaza. The first lady chaired the third meeting of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste, where she said a fairer world was possible through mutual efforts. “There are only five years left till 2030 goals and we are still far from the pledges previously made with the goal of not leaving anybody behind,” the first lady told the meeting, which took place at the Dolmabahçe Presidential Office in Istanbul.…
Türkiye hopes the rest of Syria will be cleared of terrorists and occupiers following Bashar Assad’s toppling by anti-regime forces, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Friday. Speaking to members and supporters of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) at an event in northern Sakarya province, Erdoğan warned of persistent problems on the eve of a “new era” amid recent developments in the Middle East. Much of northern Syria is plagued by Daesh and PKK/YPG terror groups that took advantage of the power vacuum and occupied swathes of land early in the civil war. The main opposition Syrian National…
The Syrian National Army (SNA) on Friday seized a strategically significant dam on the Euphrates River in Aleppo province from the PKK terrorist group’s Syring wing YPG. Tishrin Dam, located to the south of Manbij and providing a large portion of water and electricity to provinces east of the river, was occupied by the PKK/YPG terror group in 2015 with the help of the United States. It was one of the first locations the group invaded west of the Euphrates, and the U.S. military set up a base at the dam in January 2016. Tishrin, along with Tabqa and Baas…
Türkiye’s priority is ensuring stability in Syria and preventing the Daesh and PKK terror groups from gaining a foothold there following the ouster of Bashar Assad, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday. Speaking alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the capital of Ankara, Fidan said the two discussed ways of establishing prosperity in Syria and ending terrorism in the country. “Our priorities include ensuring stability in Syria as soon as possible, preventing terrorism from gaining ground, and preventing Daesh and the PKK from dominating there,” he said. Blinken said: “We’re very focused on Syria, very focused on the…
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Friday that 981 irregular migrants and 31 migrant smugglers were intercepted in nationwide operations on Thursday. Yerlikaya said the “Shield-35” operation involved more than 26,000 personnel who inspected more than 366,000 people during operations. “Türkiye is exemplary in migration management as it respects human rights and freedoms, laws and civic values while not conceding public order and security. We tackle the migration issue with all its aspects, from regular and irregular migration to international protection, voluntary, safe and dignified returns to source countries and fight against migrant smuggling and with border management,” Yerlikaya said…
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held meetings with Hungary’s president and prime minister in Ankara on Thursday, discussing bilateral relations and regional and global developments, the Communications Directorate said in a statement. Erdoğan met with Prime Minister Viktor Orban and President Tamas Sulyok at the Presidential Complex. In his meeting with Orban, Erdoğan said both countries have the will to further strengthen their ties, which he said were “at an excellent level” with a history that spans over 100 years. “Voicing his pleasure at hosting Prime Minister Orbán and his delegation on the occasion of the closing ceremony of the 2024…
Istanbul Başakşehir will look to defend their home turf and rejuvenate their Conference League campaign when they host Heidenheim at the Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Thursday. Despite their struggles in Europe, the Turkish side remains determined to turn their fortunes around in front of their loyal supporters. European struggles, defensive woes The Grey Owls currently sit fourth from the bottom in 33rd place in the Conference League standings with just two points from four matches. Their most recent outing, a 1-1 draw with CS Petrocub on Nov. 27, highlighted their vulnerability, as they conceded a heartbreaking equalizer in the…
Beşiktaş head into Thursday’s Europa League showdown against Bodo/Glimt at Aspmyra Stadion with their sights set on turning the tide in their European campaign. The Black Eagles, under new leadership, look to build on recent domestic success and secure a much-needed victory on matchday six. Despite trailing their Norwegian counterparts by a single point in the standings, Beşiktaş hold a golden opportunity to leapfrog Bodo/Glimt. Currently sitting 22nd in the 36-team competition with six points, Serdar Topraktepe’s men aim to capitalize on their opponents’ recent dip in form. Beşiktaş’s resurgence Topraktepe’s appointment on Nov. 30 marked a turning point for…
Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray head to Eleda Stadion on Thursday with sights firmly set on extending their Europa League unbeaten streak against Malmo, a side struggling to replicate domestic dominance on the continental stage. Galatasaray’s campaign has been nothing short of spectacular. A dramatic 3-2 victory over Sivasspor on Sunday propelled them to the summit of the Turkish Süper Lig, six points clear of archrivals Fenerbahçe. Goals from Yunus Akgün, Victor Osimhen and Bariş Yılmaz highlighted the depth and quality of Okan Buruk’s side. In the Europa League, Galatasaray remain one of seven unbeaten teams in the 36-club League Phase. They…