All articles tagged with #turkey
Turkey and Pakistan have activated their mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, agreeing to deploy military assets to counter escalating Houthi attacks. While Pakistan has already begun supporting roles, Turkey faces parliamentary hurdles for ground troops but plans to send air defense systems and technical teams to protect critical infrastructure and holy sites.
A new field season at the Durupınar formation in eastern Turkey has intensified the debate over whether the site is a natural rock structure or the remains of Noah’s Ark. Researchers from Sivas Cumhuriyet University and Noah’s Ark Scans drilled over 60 feet into the site, collecting more than 300 soil samples. Preliminary reports indicate the absence of solid bedrock, with drilling encountering mainly soil and boulders. While some claim radar scans reveal man-made structures, official university statements emphasize that laboratory analysis is still underway and results are inconclusive. The findings challenge previous geological assessments that identified the site as a natural limestone formation, but no definitive proof of a man-made vessel has been confirmed.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have activated their August mutual defence pact for the first time, agreeing to rapidly deploy military forces to Saudi Arabia in response to escalating Houthi attacks. While the joint statement confirms 'rapid deployment,' Turkey’s parliament has not yet ratified the agreement, limiting its immediate ground troop contribution, while Pakistan has already begun supporting roles. The move aims to bolster Saudi air and missile defences as Yemeni government forces launch a counteroffensive against the Houthis.
A Turkish-owned cargo ship carrying corn sank in the Black Sea on Monday after being struck by drones, killing two crew members and leaving one missing. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as a 'horrific' strike on a civilian vessel in neutral waters, while Romanian authorities confirmed a rescue operation that saved 11 sailors. The incident occurs amid escalating Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and growing tensions over maritime security in the region.
Ali Albokhari, a Finnish-Syrian chief mate, has been imprisoned in Turkey for three years after 137kg of cocaine was found on the cargo ship Phoenician M. Despite no forensic evidence linking him to the drugs, he was convicted under 'command responsibility' and sentenced to 33 years. His wife, Elena, is lobbying for his release while his captain, Marko Bekavac, was released via a prisoner swap. The case highlights the vulnerability of seafarers to organized crime and inadequate legal protections.
Researchers at the Durupinar formation in eastern Turkey report that core drilling found no bedrock, only rich black soil, challenging the theory that the site is a natural geological feature. While some claim radar scans reveal man-made structures, experts note the findings are preliminary and unverified.
Despite a September 23 U.S. deadline to cut off services to sanctioned Iranian airlines, flight data shows continued operations in Turkey and China. While Washington claims success in the Gulf, gaps remain in NATO ally Turkey and major partner China, prompting calls for stricter enforcement against local service providers.
Archaeologists have discovered the first intact human burials at Göbekli Tepe, the 11,600-year-old site in southeastern Turkey previously known as the world's first temple. Published in PLOS One on September 22, 2026, the study by Lee Clare and Julia Gresky reveals two graves dating to 8,700–8,000 BCE. One grave contained an adult woman, a young man, and an adolescent girl; the other held a single middle-aged woman. These findings suggest the site was a permanent residential settlement rather than solely a ceremonial gathering place, offering a new explanation for the hundreds of scattered bone fragments found in earlier excavations.
Turkish stand-up comedian Deniz Göktaş was released from prison on Monday after an Istanbul court convicted him of insulting President Erdoğan but ordered his immediate release due to time served. He faces a travel ban and an appeal.
Deniz Göktaş, a prominent Turkish stand-up comedian, was released from prison on Monday after an Istanbul court convicted him of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Although the court ordered his release due to time served, he faces a travel ban and an appeal process. Göktaş, who spent 88 days in solitary confinement, denied the charges, arguing that his comments were political characterizations rather than insults. His case highlights ongoing tensions regarding press freedom and dissent in Turkey.
Kylian Mbappé scored his 67th international goal to give France a 1-0 victory over Turkey in their UEFA Nations League opener, but he was forced off with a knee injury shortly after. Zinedine Zidane, in his first match as France manager, secured a win but faced concerns over his star striker's fitness. Belgium beat Italy 2-0 in another Group 1 match, while Northern Ireland and Ukraine won their League B games.
Saudi Arabia has summoned the military chiefs of Turkey and Pakistan to Riyadh to discuss implementing the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement amid escalating Houthi missile and drone strikes. While Saudi officials frame the crisis as an existential threat requiring immediate collective defense, Ankara and Islamabad have maintained cautious diplomatic tones, emphasizing technical support rather than direct troop deployment. The Houthis have issued direct warnings against their allies, and Turkey’s parliament has not yet ratified the pact, complicating immediate military commitments.
A 15-year-old student was detained after opening fire outside a vocational high school in Manisa, Turkey, injuring 11 people, two of whom are in critical condition. The incident, which occurred on September 22, 2026, marks the third school shooting in Turkey this year. Authorities have arrested the suspect’s parents and grandfather, who reportedly owned the weapon used. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed that investigations are underway regarding the weapon’s storage, parental supervision, and allegations of bullying. The attack occurred shortly after the government implemented new security protocols for the 2026-2027 academic year, following two deadly shootings in April that prompted a national crisis response.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a comprehensive address at the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2026, arguing that Europe’s security is inseparable from Turkey’s participation. He called for the abolition of the UN Security Council veto and proposed replacing permanent seats with elected terms. Erdoğan also condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and West Bank, while highlighting Turkey’s role as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict and its strategic importance to NATO.
A high school student in Turkey’s Manisa province opened fire outside a vocational school on Tuesday morning, injuring at least 11 pupils, two of whom are in critical condition. The suspect was detained, and his parents and grandfather, who owned the weapon, were also arrested. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated that investigations are underway regarding the weapon’s storage, parental supervision, and potential bullying. The incident follows two deadly school shootings in April that led to new security measures for the 2026-2027 academic year.