Türkiye and Syria on Thursday rejected claims that Syrian government officials and representatives of the Lebanese group Hezbollah had met in Türkiye, describing the reports as false. In a statement, the Turkish Communications Directorate’s Center for Combating Disinformation said claims that “Syrian government officials and Hezbollah officials met in Türkiye, hosted by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT)” were entirely unfounded. It said allegations concerning the date, venue, content and participants of the purported meeting “do not reflect any reality and are entirely fabricated and speculative.” The center urged the public to rely only on statements issued by official authorities and warned against claims circulating through unofficial channels. The Syrian government also denied that the meeting took place. “These claims are false, and no such meeting took place,” said the Syrian Information Ministry’s Foreign Media Directorate, according to state-run Alikhbariah TV.
The International Union of Islamic Book Publishers has launched an Islamic Publishing Observatory to collect data and publish reports on translation, rights, distribution and digital transformation across the industry, marking a key outcome of its founding conference in Istanbul. The two-day event at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University drew more than 250 representatives from 72 countries, including publishers, universities, distributors and authors' organizations. Union president Prof. Mehmet Bulut said the initiative aims to recover and share centuries of Islamic intellectual heritage, stating: "In this era of propaganda, we must tell the world that Islam is peace." Alongside the observatory, organizers plan an international database mapping publishers, catalogues and rights, plus a digital platform meant to keep collaboration active between conferences and book fairs. The gathering closed with the Istanbul Declaration for Cooperation Among Islamic Book Publishers, adopted September 26, setting a three-year plan addressing translation, copyright piracy, international distribution and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in publishing. Formally established in January 2026 after five years of preparation, IUIBP is headquartered in Istanbul and now has 247 member publishers across 72 countries.
Israeli expert Dr. Eitan Hai Cohen has cautioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's military establishment not to underestimate Türkiye's rising military strength, noting that its forces follow NATO's combat doctrine. "The Israeli military should not underestimate the Turkish military; it operates according to extremely high standards," he said. He argued Turkish military tactics stand apart from other regional forces: "Türkiye's approach to warfare is not at the level of conventional standards; rather, it is the NATO war doctrine itself. We are talking about an extremely high level that requires deep consideration." Cohen further flagged Türkiye's resurging presence in northern Syria, warning that without US intervention, "the Turks will continue their advance and solidify their presence in the region."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the July 15, 2016 failed coup bid as a defining moment in Türkiye's modern history, saying it represented a "declaration of independence" for the Türkiye Century. In an article, titled July 15: The Declaration of Independence of the Türkiye Century, published to mark the 10th anniversary of Democracy and National Unity Day, Erdogan said the failed coup was not only an attempt to overthrow the government but also an attack on the nation's independence and democratic will.
Turkish Airlines has won a European airline industry award for its food and beverage service for the fifth time, according to a statement from the airline. The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) presented the airline with its Best in Class in Food and Beverages Execution award at a ceremony in Dublin on Wednesday. This year’s APEX Awards were determined based on anonymous and verified passenger feedback along with collaboration with TripIt by Concur, a travel planning app. Over 1 million flights operated by more than 600 airlines worldwide were rated by passengers evaluating their experiences across five categories: seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverages, in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi connectivity. Turkish Airlines CEO Ahmet Olmustur welcomed the award, attributing the success to the flag carrier’s “passion and craftsmanship the teams demonstrate at every stage,” thanking guests for their trust and support and airline workers for bringing the experience to life. APEX Group CEO Joe Leader said Turkish Airlines brought the quality of its in-flight catering, as well as Türkiye’s rich culture and hospitality, to the world, praising the airline’s food and beverage experience. Turkish Airlines said its in-flight catering program features a rich selection of menus and constantly evolving catering concepts across its international network, which serves destinations in 130 countries.
🇹🇷 Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently said in an interview that recent US-Iran contacts reflect early-stage negotiating positions, which are typically maximalist, but he expressed cautious optimism about continued dialogue. "Initial positions are always somewhat maximalist. Later, with the support of mediators, the parties try to meet at a common point. As long as there is a genuine intention to reach a ceasefire, sustain it, and make it lasting. "What I see right now is that both sides are sincere about a ceasefire and aware of the need for it." He further commented on Israel’s regional posture, saying: "We see that Israel may seek to designate Türkiye as a new adversary after Iran, as it cannot sustain itself without an enemy." He said mediators are working to bridge differences, while discussions continue on possible timelines and frameworks for a temporary ceasefire. Fidan said reaching a final agreement during the two-week ceasefire would be “technically not realistic,” adding that negotiations could extend to 45 days or two months if progress is made. "If the nuclear issue turns into an ‘all or nothing’ approach, especially on enrichment, I think we may face a serious obstacle there," he said, stressing that diplomatic channels remain active to overcome key obstacles.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: “Every drop of blood shed in war sparked by US, Israeli attacks on Iran will prolong Netanyahu's political survival.”
A missile launched from Iran, heading towards Turkish airspace through Iraq and Syria, has been destroyed by NATO air defense systems, Turkish officials said on Wednesday. "A ballistic munition launched from Iran, which was detected passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace and heading towards Turkish airspace, was engaged in a timely manner by NATO air and missile defence assets stationed in the eastern Mediterranean and rendered inactive," the defense ministry said in a statement.
Bangladesh has navigated a delicate electoral transition, completing general elections without the widespread violence many feared and signaling democratic maturation after years of political turbulence. The peaceful vote strengthens Bangladesh's regional position and offers the international community cautious optimism about the country's stabilization trajectory under incoming Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, whose Bangladesh Nationalist Party now leads the government. The election produced a noteworthy parliamentary arithmetic with Jamaat-e-Islami assuming main opposition status for the first time, enhancing representative diversity. Rahman's pre-inauguration courtesy visits to rival party leaders and Jamaat's acceptance of results while pledging constructive opposition suggest potential for rational political equilibrium essential for internal peace. The functioning of democratic institutions and constructive political transformation will determine Bangladesh's successful navigation of this critical period. Ankara demonstrated concrete commitment to Bangladesh's democratic process by deploying the second-largest observer mission and actively engaging through the Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Group. This support strengthened democratic mechanisms without interfering in internal affairs. Dhaka's decision to specifically invite Türkiye to Rahman's inauguration ceremony, where Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci represented Ankara, signals Bangladesh's recognition of Türkiye as a strategic partner. Such diplomatic gestures provide crucial confidence during transitional periods.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius praised Türkiye's indispensable contribution to NATO's defense architecture on Wednesday, following his observation of the alliance's Steadfast Dart 2026 military exercise in the Baltic Sea. Speaking at a press conference, Pistorius emphasized that Türkiye "has always played a central role" in NATO and "today probably plays an even greater one," underscoring Ankara's growing strategic significance within the alliance. Pistorius specifically highlighted Türkiye's critical position on NATO's southeastern flank, describing the country as a "very important NATO partner" whose geographic location and military capacities are essential to alliance defense planning. He expressed gratitude for Turkish participation in the exercise and drew attention to Ankara's modern military equipment, noting that "the Turkish Navy's new amphibious boats, proven to be very high quality, possess remarkable capabilities." The minister's remarks acknowledged Türkiye's substantial investment in indigenous defense technologies and their operational effectiveness. The Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise, involving forces from multiple NATO members, demonstrates the alliance's ability to respond rapidly to security challenges across its territory. Pistorius observed that Türkiye's robust participation "shows that NATO is bigger than some believe," pushing back against narratives of alliance weakness or internal division. His commendation of Turkish contributions reflects the high value NATO places on Ankara's military assets, particularly in naval operations and power projection capabilities that strengthen the alliance's overall deterrent posture.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived in Ethiopia's capital Tuesday for an official visit, receiving a warm welcome from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other senior officials at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The Turkish delegation's arrival marks another milestone in the growing relationship between Ankara and Addis Ababa, with both sides emphasizing the strategic importance of their deepening partnership. Prime Minister Abiy expressed his "greatest pleasure" welcoming Erdoğan to Ethiopia, which he described as "the Land of Origins." In a social media post, Abiy highlighted that the exchange of visits underscores the "strength of the deep partnership" between Türkiye and Ethiopia. He emphasized his anticipation for "productive discussions that will further deepen cooperation and strengthen the enduring bonds between our two ancient nations." The Ethiopian leader extended warm hospitality, noting Erdoğan would "never feel like a stranger but a dear friend" and suggesting they could share coffee "first discovered in these lands" while developing tangible partnership opportunities. The visit provides opportunity for high-level discussions on enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, building on existing ties between the two countries. Türkiye and Ethiopia have cultivated increasingly robust relations in recent years, with this direct engagement expected to yield concrete outcomes. The official visit reflects Ankara's broader strategy of deepening engagement with African nations, recognizing the continent's growing geopolitical and economic significance.