Turkiye arrests 65 soldiers, police for ties to late Erdogan foe
Turkiye arrested 65 soldiers and police officers early on Friday (May 23, 2025) over alleged ties to the late preacher Fethullah Gulen, who was accused of masterminding the failed 2016 coup.
State news agency Anadolu said 56 active-duty soldiers from the Turkish armed forces had been arrested, with another seven still being sought.
Halk TV meanwhile said nine police officers were arrested, "most of them in Istanbul".
"In an operation against the terrorist organisation FETO in 36 provinces centred in Istanbul, 56 of the 63 active-duty soldiers for whom detention orders were issued were captured," Anadolu said.
The FETO — or the "Fethullah Terror Organisation" — is the name Turkey gives to Gulen's Hizmet movement, which once had widespread influence behind the scenes.
Gulen, who died in October, was once a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the two became bitter enemies. He fled to the United States in 1999 and never returned.
Even after his death, Turkiye has vowed to pursue his followers across the globe.
Quoting a prosecutors' statement, Halk said the arrest operation began in Istanbul at 6.00 a.m. (0300 GMT) and concerned members of the air force, the gendarmerie, and the land and naval forces.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Higher metals tariffs kick in as deadline for best offers arrives
By Jasper Ward and Jeff Mason (Reuters) -The U.S. tariff rate on most imported steel and aluminum will double on Wednesday as President Donald Trump ratchets up a global trade war on the same day he expects trading partners to deliver their "best offer" in bids to avoid punishing import tax rates on other goods from taking effect in early July. Trump late Tuesday signed an executive proclamation that puts into effect from Wednesday his surprise announcement last week that he was taking the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports that had been in place since March to 50% from 25%. "We started at 25 and then after studying the data more, realized that it was a big help, but more help is needed. And so that is why the 50 is starting tomorrow," White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said in explaining the move at a steel industry conference in Washington on Tuesday. The increase comes into effect at 12:01 am (0401 GMT). The increase applies to all trading partners except Britain, the only country so far that has struck a preliminary trade agreement with the U.S. during a 90-day pause on a wider array of Trump tariffs. The rate for steel and aluminum imports from the UK - which does not rank among the top exporters of either metal to the U.S. - will remain at 25% until at least July 9. About a quarter of all steel used in the U.S. is imported, and Census Bureau data shows the increased levies will hit the closest U.S. trading partners - Canada and Mexico - especially hard. They rank No. 1 and 3, respectively, in steel shipment volumes to the U.S. Canada is even more exposed to the aluminum levies as the top exporter to the U.S. by far at roughly twice the rest of the top 10 exporters' volumes combined. The U.S. gets about half of its aluminum from foreign sources. The unexpected increase in the levies jolted the market for both metals this week, especially for aluminum, which has seen price premiums more than double so far this year. With little current capacity to increase domestic production, import volumes are likely to be unaffected unless the price increases undercut demand. Wednesday is also when the White House would like trading partners to submit their proposals for deals that might help them avoid Trump's hefty "Liberation Day" tariffs from taking effect in five weeks. Administration officials have been in active talks with a number of countries since Trump announced a pause on those tariffs on April 9, but to date only the UK deal has come to fruition. Even that agreement, which provided the basis for the carve out from the metals tariffs, is more of a preliminary framework for more talks. With just weeks remaining, the Trump team is eager to bring more deals over the line. Reuters reported on Monday that the U.S. Trade Representative was asking countries to list their best proposals in a number of key areas, including tariff and quota offers for purchase of U.S. industrial and agricultural products and plans to remedy any non-tariff barriers. In turn, the letter promises answers "within days" with an indication of a "landing zone," including what tariff rates countries can be expected to be saddled with after a 90-day pause on the tariffs expires on July 8. At issue for most trading partners is whether they retain the current baseline rate of 10% on most exports to the U.S. after that date, or something sharply higher in many cases. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed the report on Tuesday, saying: 'USTR sent this letter to all of our trading partners just to give them a friendly reminder that the deadline is coming up." Other items requested by the Trump administration include any commitments on digital trade and economic security, along with country-specific commitments, according to the letter. (Additional reporting by Alexandra Alper in Washington; Writing by Dan Burns; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Business Standard
Adani considers entering airport ground handling bids after Celebi's exit
Billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate is considering bidding for ground handling services at two airports, as it looks to diversify into a new line of business after India shut out Turkish operator Celebi Hava Servisi AS. Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. is 'evaluating' bids for the airports in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Chief Executive Officer Arun Bansal said on the sidelines of an aviation industry event in New Delhi. A closely held unit of the flagship Adani Enterprises Ltd., it operates eight Indian airports including these two and an upcoming facility in Navi Mumbai. The foray aligns with the ports-to-power conglomerate's strategy of branching into allied sectors that dovetail with its existing businesses. It also fills a gap left by Celebi's sudden exit last month after India's civil aviation security agency revoked its security clearance on grounds related to national security. Celebi operated at nine airports in India, including gateway facilities in capital New Delhi and the commercial hub of Mumbai. Its operations were halted after Turkey voiced support for Pakistan during its recent armed conflict with India. Adani, if it wins the bids for Mumbai and Ahmedabad, will be the third ground handler at these facilities. Indian regulations require that every major airport with annual passenger traffic of at least a million should have three ground handlers. The country's aviation industry is seen booming in the coming years, with continuing investments from major airlines and infrastructure buildout by the government. India, which has over 140 operational airports, plans to more than double it to 350 by 2047.
India.com
7 hours ago
- India.com
Turkey's Double Game Uncovered: How Ankara Betrayed Russia While Wooing The West
New Delhi: Turkey has played a dangerous double game. This time, not only with India but with Russia as well. Ankara secretly armed Ukraine with deadly Bayraktar TB2 drones, which Kyiv used to destroy at least 40 Russian fighter jets last week, even while publicly maintaining ties with the Kremlin. This military support came at a time when Turkey was giving Russian tourists and companies a safe haven by defying Western sanctions. But behind the scenes, it was also cozying up to the United States and the NATO. Analysts believe the drone supply was Turkey's way of winning points with Washington, even if it meant putting a knife in Putin's back. Drone Diplomacy or Deception? The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 has become one of the world's most lethal combat drones. It is sleek in design and deadly in execution and can carry out both precision strikes and surveillance. Ukraine received 72 drones between 2019 and 2022. Turkey allegedly sent eight more units after the war began. These drones have allowed Ukraine to carry out devastating attacks deep inside Russian territory and damage or destroy more than 40 Russian military aircraft. Why is Turkey Doing This? Experts suggest Turkey's real motive lies not in helping Ukraine win the war but in pleasing the United States and NATO. As a NATO member, Turkey constantly faces pressure from the West to cut ties with Moscow. Supplying drones gave it a way to appear loyal to the alliance, even while pretending to be neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war. Ironically, this is the same Turkey that has opposed Western sanctions against Russia, kept its airspace open to Russian tourists and allowed Russian businesses to relocate to Turkish soil. Russia Feels Betrayed For Moscow, the drone revelation is nothing short of a betrayal. Kremlin officials have reportedly called it a 'stab in the back'. Russia now sees Turkey's diplomatic double-speak as a strategic threat. President Putin, who had maintained a working relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan despite geopolitical differences, is said to be furious over Ankara's duplicity. Meanwhile, Turkey is attempting to position itself as a mediator in the global arena, claiming it wants peace while arming one side in a war. Trust Lost on All Fronts This latest episode has also damaged Turkey's standing with India. New Delhi has long suspected Ankara of siding with Pakistan on Kashmir, and this fresh betrayal of Russia, a close Indian defense ally, only adds to the mistrust. In trying to play all sides, Muslim world 'leader', Western ally and 'neutral' peace broker, Turkey may end up losing the trust of all. As global tensions rise, Ankara's balancing act is looking less like diplomacy and more like deception. Despite overt ties with Russia, Turkey's covert support to Ukraine has exposed a major fault line in global diplomacy. For India and Russia, this may serve as a warning that Erdogan's Turkey is no longer a reliable partner.
