President Erdoğan said that he believes Turkey's relations with the U.S. will pick up the pace once President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
“I believe we will accelerate dialogue when Mr. Trump takes office. I believe we will reach a consensus with Mr. Trump, particularly on regional issues," he said.
Relations between Washington and Ankara have deteriorated sharply since a failed military coup in July.
Turkey has expressed its frustrations regarding the U.S. support of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)-affiliated Democratic Union Party (PYD) terrorists, and the failure of the U.S. to extradite Fetullah Gülen.
442 arrested in PKK, FETÖ probe in Turkey: Turkish Ministry
Turkey's Interior Ministry has stated that 36 of the 344 detainees were arrested as a part of the probe against the Kurdistan Workers' Party/Kurdistan Communities Union (PKK)/(KCK) terrorist organization while 406 of total 627 detainees were arrested in Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) probe in the last week. In the light of the recent official figures, 442 were arrested in PKK or FETÖ probes in a week. The ministry also declared that nine Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists were neutralized in 253 operations that were conducted across Turkey in a week. The operations were conducted between January 2-9 with the participation of units of Gendarmerie Special Operations, Gendarmerie Commando Units and Police Special Operations. "Three of the nine terrorists were killed, two have surrendered and four were captured," the statement said. Meanwhile, as many as 48 terrorist shelters and 45 handmade explosives were destroyed, while 16-kilogram of TNT explosive along with 4 kilograms of plastic explosive were seized in the operation against the PKK terrorist organization. Also, over 11-million-Turkish lira worth of smuggled drugs and 12-million-Turkish lira worth of smuggled cigarettes have been seized by Turkish security forces. The operations are crucial due to the vital role in smuggled cigarettes and drugs in providing financial sources for terrorism. In the same period, as many as 129 Daesh suspects were detained as a part of Turkey's efforts against the terrorist organizations that have been targeting the security of the country by launching attacks. Also, 628 migrants and 34 human smugglers were captured, while attempting to sneak into Turkey from several different countries or vice versa. 5 PKK terrorists plotting suicide bombings arrested in Şanlıurfa, Turkey Turkey against Daesh, PKK, FETÖTurkey has been fighting against some other terrorist groups, such as the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and Daesh across the country and abroad along with the PKK terrorist organization, which has been launching attacks for more than 30 years.FETÖ is responsible for the coup bid of 15, which left 246 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, martyred and nearly 2,000 others wounded, as they protested against the coup bid. Turkey report reveals FETÖ relations with PKK, Daesh The PKK, which is designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, had resumed its attacks across Turkey in July 2015 after breaking a two-year ceasefire deal.Along with PKK, Daesh has been conducting terrorist attacks across the country. Daesh is responsible for the airport attack conducted in Istanbul which resulted in 45 fatalities, as well as the Gaziantep wedding attack that killed over 50 people and the recent nightclub attack in Istanbul that left 39 people dead and many others.
Turkey is committed to combatting terrorism
“The July 15 coup plot was not the first betrayal of the state recorded in our history. However, with the way it was carried out, it was certainly the most insidious," said Erdoğan.
The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) is led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen, who orchestrated Turkey's July 15 coup plot and is the mastermind behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.
“After every terror attack, our people have united in even greater solidarity. We are proceeding with caution and treating members of terrorist organizations with great hesitation," vowed Erdoğan. “Meanwhile, some European countries are welcoming them and treating them as if they are victims," he emphasized.
“While they do not open their doors to Syrian victims, the PKK and FETO are offered asylum on a golden platter. My conscience does not allow me to call them a friend. But this behavior does not suit countries that we call our allies," he continued.
Erdoğan expressed his determination to clear all government institutions of FETO terrorists.
“It is going to take time and effort to root out a terror group that has been growing within our system for 40 years. We will continue to fly our flag with national organizations across Europe and Asia. FETO is continuing to spread anti-Turkey rhetoric in every country it is operating in," he underlined.
FETÖ terrorist named head of Texas university
An academic on Turkey's “Most Wanted" terrorists list for his ties to the group behind Turkey's July 2016 failed coup has been named head of an American university. Şerif Ali Tekalan, a medical school professor, was recently appointed president of the Houston, Texas-based North American University, according to a Dec. 19 statement by the university. Tekalan is on the Turkish Interior Ministry's Most Wanted terrorists list, with a reward of 750,000 Turkish liras ($205,829) for information leading to his capture, over his links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind the defeated coup, which left at least 248 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured. US delays submitting FETO files to court North American University, formerly North American College, was founded by Gulenists in 2010. Before the coup attempt, he served as the rector of Istanbul's Fatih University, another FETÖ school. Tekalan first fled the police after being implicated in a 2010 cheating scandal. When police issued an arrest warrant for his links to two suspects accused of supplying thousands of FETÖ-linked individuals questions and answers for Turkey's Public Personnel Selection Exam (KPSS), he became a fugitive. On the run, Tekalan posted selfies of himself from Paris before making his way to Texas. In addition to the coup attempt, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) – led by U.S. based Fetullah Gülen – conducted a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary. The terrorist group is also known for its network of hundreds of schools across the world, including in the U.S., many accused of fraud and breaking local laws to give jobs to Gulenist teachers.Turkey struggles against the PKK, Daesh, FETÖ, PYD and DHKP-C terrorist groups US, PKK, FETÖ cooperated against Turkey: Gendarme report Turkey remands 100 military officers in FETÖ probe
“A FETO fugitive who is on Turkey's most wanted list has been appointed the President of an American university," said Erdoğan, alluding to Şerif Ali Tekalan, a medical school professor who was recently appointed president of the Houston, Texas-based North American University, according to a December 19 statement by the university.
Tekalan is on the Turkish Interior Ministry's Most Wanted terrorists list, with a reward of 750,000 Turkish liras ($205,829) for information leading to his capture, over his links to FETO.
Turkey advances its international diplomacy
“We have entered a sincere period [of diplomacy] with the Iraq government. We will continue to work with the Iraqi government to clear Iraq of terrorist organizations," vowed Erdoğan.
Turkish military ops will withdraw from Iraq once terror threat is eliminated: Deputy PM
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Monday that Turkey was in Bashiqa, Iraq, out of necessity to ensure national security.“The Bashiqa camp is there because of terror which originates in Iraq, and it is our right to take measures against this. If the threat is removed, there will be no need," said Canikli.Iraq has long demanded that Turkish forces withdraw from the Bashiqa camp near Mosul in the north of the country. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırm recently made an official visit to Iraq to meet with Iraqi counterpart Haidar al-Abadi to discuss regional stability and security.Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Saturday that Turkey had agreed to withdraw from Bashiqa, but Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim did not confirm this alleged agreement. Yildirim noted significant progress in the fight against Daesh and said the issue of Bashiqa would be solved “in a friendly way".Erdoğan makes phone call to Turkish troops in Bashiqa Turkey could hold a referendum as early as April A referendum may be held in Turkey as early as the first week of April on a new constitution, Canikli announced.The reform package would form an executive presidential system, and is expected to be approved in parliament.The general assembly in parliament is due to begin discussing the proposed package on Monday, and the amendments are expected to be completed in 18-20 days. The reform package will go to a referendum upon parliament approval. Turkey calls on US to end support of PYD/YPG “We know that the U.S. supports the PYD with military training and supplying weapons. It is unacceptable for the U.S. to openly support a terrorist organization. Especially considering that we are allies, and have worked together on numerous accounts in the past," said Canikli. He went on to describe the U.S. partnership with the PYD/YPG as a “serious threat for Turkey's security". The PYD is the Syrian branch of the PKK, a Turkish separatist group that has been fighting Ankara since 1984 and has been on the U.S. State Department's terrorism list since 1997.US shows strategic insolence by still supplying arms to terrorists
“We hope to expand our diplomacy across Africa, Latin America and Asia. Turkish-Russian relations have become even stronger since the downing of the Russian warplane. This is due to our proactive diplomacy," he explained.
The Turkish President also said that Turkey hoped to visit four African countries this month in a bid to strengthen ties with the continent.
Turkey-EU relations
“Admission to the EU is a strategic aim of Turkey, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the double standards we are being held to," said Erdoğan.
Turkey was recognized as a candidate for full membership to the EU in 1999 and negotiations were started in 2005. Out of the 35 chapters required to finalize the accession process, 16 have been opened and one closed.
Turkey believes Trump will not repeat mistakes of last administration: Turkish FM
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Monday he believes that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will not make the same mistakes as the outgoing administration in relations with Turkey.Addressing Turkish diplomats gathered in Ankara for an annual ambassadors' conference, Çavuşoğlu said Turkey expects Washington to extradite U.S.-based terrorist chief Fethullah Gülen and to end its cooperation with the PYD (Democratic Union Party) terrorist organization.In addition to the coup attempt, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) – led by U.S. based Fetullah Gülen – conducted a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.The terrorist group is also known for its network of hundreds of schools across the world, including in the U.S., many accused of fraud and breaking local laws to give jobs to Gulenist teachers.US, PKK, FETÖ cooperated against Turkey: Gendarme report The PYD terror group is a Syrian offshoot of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) which launched an all-out war against Turkey, a NATO ally, by breaking a peace process and was recognized as a terrorist organization by much of the international society, including the U.S. and EU countries. However, the group enjoys U.S. support in seizing land in Syria. FETÖ terrorist named head of Texas university US shows strategic insolence by still supplying arms to terrorists
Turkish people say US behind terror attacks
Striking results of a survey conducted in over 40 Turkish provinces reveal that three-quarters of people think there is another power behind the terrorism in Turkey. The belief that the U.S. is the biggest supporter of terrorism is prevalent among Turkish society, and the U.S. is followed by Israel and the EU in that regard. Known for its election polls and successful public opinion surveys, A&G Research Company conducted a survey regarding who is behind the terrorist activities in Turkey in December 2016 with the participation of 3,035 people. As a result, the director of the company, Adil Gür, concluded that a vast majority of Turkish people believes, “Another power is behind the terrorist groups." Gür also stressed that even though participants answered survey questions according to their party allegiances, they converged on the matter of terrorism and those aiding and abetting it. 81.4 percent of well-educated participants with at least a bachelor degree and 68.3 percent of Kurdish participants think terrorism is supported by another power, he added.Turkey paying price for US alliance with PYD: Defense Minister 76 percent says another power promotes terrorism One question asked of participants: “Terrorist activities are often being carried out in our country, and do you think that they are solely conducted by terrorist organizations like PKK, Daesh and FETÖ, or they are used by other powers using proxies to achieve their ends?" Consequently, the percentage of people who believe that terrorism is created only by groups like PKK, Daesh and FETÖ was only 24 percent, while 76 percent of participants think someone else coordinate the terrorists' actions.US, PKK, FETÖ cooperated against Turkey: Gendarme report The U.S. is allegedly behind the terrorism In another question, “What powers promote terrorism," a vast majority of people point to the U.S.Among those who think terrorism is backed by another power, 80.3 percent said the U.S, and it is followed by Israel with 45.1 percent, the EU with 34.5 percent, non-governmental external powers with 22.9 percent, Russia with 17.6 percent, the deep state with 8.9 percent and lastly Iran with 8.3 percent.Erdoğan expresses national solidarity in the face of recent terror attacks Turkey determined to bring terror groups 'to knees' Turkey continues to fight against terrorism
Yıldırım says will not allow PYD's fait accompli in Syria
Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım spoke in a joint press conference following his meeting with Masoud Barzani, the president of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), in his Erbil visit as part of renewing ties with both the Iraqi central and Erbil-centered regional governments.Turkish PM meets with northern Iraqi president Turkey's PM makes official visit to Iraq “Terrorist organizations, not only Daesh but the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) are not just Turkey's issues, but our common problems with Iraq and Syria. We are carrying out an operation to wipe out Daesh elements from our southern borders. Our mutual goal is to completely eradicate the terrorist organization, which is the plague of all humanity," Prime Minister Yıldırım said.Terrorism has no future in Turkey: Turkish PM 'We cannot allow a fait accompli by PYD' Yıldırım also stressed Turkey's fight against the PKK, saying that the terror group's attacks on Turkey from its base in Iraq are unacceptable and his country will do whatever necessary. “PKK terrorists cannot be allowed to harbor in Iraqi's Sinjar region. It is our security issue and common problem with both the regional and central Iraqi governments. Thus, we should act together," he said. He also touched upon the PKK-affiliated Democratic Union Party's (PYD) sinister occupation campaign on Arab populated lands in Syria. In this regard, Yıldırım said that the PYD terrorist organization has uprooted Arabs and peshmerga in northern parts of Syria. However, Turkey cannot let a fait accompli of them who seized those lands. “No matter how they changed their names, we clearly know them and what they are doing. They are the PKK's affiliates. They cannot change their essence by renaming. There is no difference between the PKK, PYD or the People's Protection Units (YPG)," he argued. Struggle against FETÖ Additionally, Yıldırım thanked President Barzani over his support against FETÖ and reiterated Turkey's aim to rid all its elements.Turkey in Iraq's Bashiqa out of necessity: PM Yıldırım Turkey, Iraq cooperation council vows to work for peace Iraq says deal reached over withdrawal of Turkish forces from Bashiqa