Turkey

Turkey, Russia in talks on setting up observation posts in Syria - media

ANKARA, November 23. /TASS/: Turkey and Russia may come to agreement in coming days on setting up observation posts in Syria, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said in an interview with the Qatari Al Jazeera TV Channel on Saturday.

"I believe that the [joint Russian-Turkish] patrols will be even more successful and useful in coming days," the Anadolu news agency quoted the defense minister as saying.

Turkey denies using banned chemical weapons in Syria

22 Nov 2019; MEMO: Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said his country did not use any banned ammunition or chemical weapons during Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria.

“Turkey didn’t use and will not use any ammunition or chemical weapons prohibited by international law and agreements. The Turkish army does not have the means and equipment to launch chemical weapons,” Akar told parliament.

40 illegal migrants saved off northwestern Turkey

ISTANBUL, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 40 illegal migrants were rescued off Turkey's Aegean coast on Wednesday, the Turkish National Defence Ministry announced.

TCG Tuzla, a patrol boat, detected an inflatable boat carrying illegal migrants near the Edremit gulf in the northwestern province of Balikesir, the ministry tweeted.

"Forty irregular migrants have been saved by coast guard teams," the post read, without revealing further details.

Turkey threatens to "look elsewhere" if F-35 dispute with U.S. continues

ANKARA, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- If the U.S. stance on delivery of F-35 fighter jets does not change, Turkey would be forced to "look elsewhere" to meet its defense necessities, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.

"If the current disagreement on F-35 fighter jets continues, Turkey must look elsewhere to meet its medium-term needs," Erdogan said while addressing his party members at the parliament.

The Turkish president was referring to his meeting last week with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.

Turkey orders arrest of over 130 military allegedly linked to coup — TV

ANKARA, November 19. /TASS/: Prosecutors in Izmir have issued an order on detaining 133 Turkish military as part of an operation against members of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which Ankara blames for an attempted coup in July 2016, NTV reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the Turkish security forces are carrying out an anti-terrorist operation simultaneously in 44 provinces across the country. Among the suspects 82 individuals are now serving in the army.

Turkey's pro-Kurdish party mulls pulling MPs from parliament

ANKARA (Reuters) - A pro-Kurdish opposition party is considering withdrawing lawmakers from Turkey’s parliament due to mounting pressure it is facing, and as an act of protest against the government’s decision to oust 24 of its mayors in the past three months.

Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) lawmakers, mayors and local officials will gather on Wednesday in Ankara to discuss the situation and make a decision on how to respond, HDP’s deputy chairman told reporters.

Turkey: Over 6,000 Syrians moved from Istanbul

16 Nov 2019; MEMO: Turkey has sent more than 6,000 Syrian migrants in Istanbul to temporary housing centres in other provinces since early July, the local governor’s office said on Friday, two weeks after a deadline for Syrians not registered in the city to leave.

Authorities had given Syrians not registered in Istanbul until October 30 to move to another province or face forced removal from the city, reported Reuters.

Russia, Turkey complete seventh patrol in northeast Syria - Turkish Defense Ministry

ANKARA, November 16. /TASS/: Russian and Turkish military personnel have completed the seventh joint patrol in northeast Syria, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense reported on Saturday.

"In accordance with the plans, Turkish and Russian servicemen successfully conducted the seventh ground patrol with drone support east of the Euphrates River. The land patrol carried out in the Qamishli-Derik sector involved four [armored] vehicles on each side. The patrolling was also carried out with the air support of a helicopter 10 km inside [Syria]," the statement reads.

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