Author: Daily Sabah With AA

Syria’s de-facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, has vowed that his administration would stop the PKK/YPG terrorist group from using Syria as a base for its operations. Speaking to Saudi Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath television on Sunday, al-Sharaa laid out his vision for Syria’s future, highlighting plans for constitutional reforms and future elections following the ouster of Bashar Assad. Stressing that Kurds are an integral part of Syria, al-Sharaa said his administration would not allow the country to serve as a base for the terrorist PKK/YPG and reiterated that Syria must remain united. Addressing ongoing negotiations with the terrorist PKK/YPG, he said the new government…

The Ministry of National Defense released yearly statistics regarding counterterrorism in 2024. Türkiye this year has dealt a “major blow” to the terrorist groups PKK, its Syrian branches the PKK/PYD/YPG, as well as Daesh, particularly in northern Iraq and Syria, eliminating 3,038 terrorists since the beginning of 2024, the Ministry said Saturday. As part of these counterterrorism efforts, “3,038 terrorists were (eliminated), 1,330 caves/shelters were destroyed and 2,450 weapons and more than 910,000 pieces of ammunition were seized,” the Ministry said on social media. It added that 107 terrorists surrendered during the course of the year. The Turkish Armed Forces…

The Yunus Emre Institute (YEE), in its mission to promote and spread the Turkish language and culture worldwide, taught Turkish to approximately 91,000 people in 68 countries through 92 offices in 2024. In 2024, YEE continued its mission to promote and spread the Turkish language and culture worldwide with determination. This year, with the opening of 4 new cultural centers in 4 countries and expanding its activities, YEE continued its cultural diplomacy efforts with 92 cultural centers in 68 countries across six regions. Throughout 2024, YEE provided Turkish language training to nearly 40,000 students through face-to-face and online Turkish courses.…

The Yunus Emre Institute (YEE), in its mission to promote and spread the Turkish language and culture worldwide, taught Turkish to approximately 91,000 people in 68 countries through 92 offices in 2024. In 2024, YEE continued its mission to promote and spread the Turkish language and culture worldwide with determination. This year, with the opening of 4 new cultural centers in 4 countries and expanding its activities, YEE continued its cultural diplomacy efforts with 92 cultural centers in 68 countries across six regions. Throughout 2024, YEE provided Turkish language training to nearly 40,000 students through face-to-face and online Turkish courses.…

Ayfer Paleciç Okan, a 63-year-old retired civil servant living in Eskişehir, central Türkiye, transforms waste papers such as tram tickets, posters and brochures into art pieces like jewelry, vases and amphorae. After retiring in 2008 from the Kırklareli Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship, Ayfer Paleciç Okan moved to Eskişehir in 2014 for her daughter’s university education. Looking to socialize, she began attending a sewing course offered by the Odunpazarı District Municipality in Eskişehir. Later, during her workshop activities, Okan met Ali Rıza Kart, who transformed the waste paper into jewelry and accessories using his own colors and patterns. Inspired…

In the case concerning the murder of 8-year-old Narin Güran in Diyarbakır, southeastern Türkiye, three defendants were sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, while Nevzat Bahtiyar received a four-year and six-month prison sentence. At the Diyarbakır 8th High Criminal Court, the second hearing of the trial involving detained defendants, including mother Yüksel, brother Enes and uncle Salim Güran, as well as Nevzat Bahtiyar, who admitted to hiding Narin’s body in Eğertutmaz Stream, took place. The court asked the defendants for their final statements. Detained defendant Yüksel Güran stated that her heart was broken and said, “God is my witness, I did…

Serkan Kayalar, the President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), reported that after the fall of the 61-year-old Baath regime, TIKA has resumed its operations in Syria. Kayalar explained that TIKA implemented nearly 150 projects across different cities in Syria from 1995 to 2011. He recalled that the TIKA Damascus Program Coordination Office, which began operations in March 2010, had to suspend its activities in November 2011 due to the conflict in the country. Kayalar noted that despite the prolonged conflict, TIKA continued to support the Syrian people, particularly in regions made safe through military operations in the…

A baby Rhesus monkey was found inside a box at the Intercity Bus Terminal of the Metropolitan Municipality in Antalya, southern Türkiye. The monkey was found in a package sent from Ankara that was taken to the baggage room when no one claimed it. During the routine X-ray scan at the passenger platform, security personnel noticed a living being inside the box. Upon opening the box, they discovered a monkey inside a wooden, perforated cage. The Rhesus monkey was removed from the box by the staff, and the Metropolitan Municipality’s Municipal Police and Nature Conservation teams were notified. Later, M.K.,…

The president of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), Abdullah Eren, stated that Syrian graduates who studied in Türkiye will play crucial roles in the reconstruction of their country. “We believe that over 16,000 Türkiye-educated Syrians will take on critical and important roles in building the new Syria,” he said. Eren provided an evaluation to Anadolu Agency (AA) about the YTB’s efforts regarding Syrians and Syrian graduates. Reiterating that the Syrian people have regained ownership after many years of struggle and that there is a temporary administration in Syria, Eren said, “We are very pleased about this.…

Foreign ambassadors in Türkiye took a moment to reflect on their experiences, sharing the highlights and significant memories of their time in the country throughout 2024. Their personal stories reveal the cultural exchange, friendships and moments of discovery that have enriched their diplomatic missions. The ambassador of Bosnia-Herzegovina to Ankara, Mirsada Colakovic, arrived in Türkiye in June 2024. She shared that one of her most memorable experiences was her trip to Cappadocia in central Türkiye, where the region’s unique energy, scenic landscapes, historical landmarks and Turkish cuisine left an unforgettable impression. Despite her short time in the country, Colakovic’s experience…