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The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Erdogan, Syria's Sharaa hold talks in Istanbul
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was holding talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Istanbul on Saturday (May 24, 2025), news channel CNN Turk and state media said, broadcasting video of the two leaders greeting each other. The visit comes the day after U.S. President Donald Trump's administration issued orders that it said would effectively lift sanctions on Syria. Mr. Trump had pledged to unwind the measures to help the country rebuild after its devastating civil war. Video footage on Turkish television showed Erdogan shaking hands with Mr. Sharaa as he emerged from his car at the Dolmabahce Palace on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey's largest city. The two countries' Foreign Ministers also attended the talks, as well as Turkey's Defence Minister and the head of the Turkish MIT intelligence agency, according to Turkey's state-owned Anadolu news agency. The Syrian delegation also included Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, according to Syrian state news agency SANA. MIT chief Ibrahim Kalin and Mr. Sharaa on this week held talks in Syria on the Syrian Kurdish YPG militant group laying down its weapons and integrating into Syrian security forces, a Turkish security source said previously.
LBCI
24-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Erdogan, Syria's Sharaa hold talks in Istanbul: Media reports
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was holding talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Istanbul on Saturday, broadcaster CNN Turk and state media said. State broadcaster TRT Haber published photos of Sharaa shaking hands in Erdogan's offices at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. No further details were immediately available.
Middle East Eye
21-05-2025
- Middle East Eye
Turkey busts Chinese spying ring using fake cell towers
A Chinese intelligence ring was shattered in Turkey after its operatives reportedly eavesdropped on Uyghurs and Turkish officials using fake mobile towers. Turkish intelligence announced earlier this month that it had caught seven suspects red-handed. Their vehicles were found carrying IMSI-catcher devices, which function as fake base stations to collect data, phone logs, conversations and other information from nearby phones. Intelligence sources indicated that some members of the ring had entered Turkey in March. However, a CNN Turk report on Tuesday revealed that the operation had been active for the past five years. The cell's leader, a Chinese citizen identified by the initials ZL, allegedly arrived in Turkey five years ago to establish the groundwork for the intelligence operation. This included setting up shell companies, such as a logistics firm and an import-export company, and learning Turkish to better coordinate the efforts. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The report stated that the suspects, all Chinese citizens, established a sophisticated operation that was self-funded by preying on regular Turkish citizens. They allegedly hacked into bank accounts to drain savings for operational expenses, while their primary aim was to collect personal information belonging to Uyghurs and Turkish officials. IMSI-catcher devices mimic legitimate mobile phone tower signals. When a target's phone comes within approximately 50 metres of an active ghost base station, it connects to the device, believing it to be a normal cell tower. Handout pictures released by the Turkish security forces show the IMSI-Catcher devices on two separate cars. The intercepted data, including communication details and location coordinates, was reportedly sent directly to a handler in China, whom the spies referred to as the "big boss". Investigators were reportedly surprised by how these devices were smuggled into Turkey without detection. The smuggling was carried out in parts: one courier would bring only the antennas, another would bring only the batteries on a separate flight, and others would transport the remaining components on different trips to conceal the equipment's true nature. Uyghurs and Turkish officials targeted The ring's primary focus was on Uyghur Turks residing in Turkey, particularly those perceived by Beijing as being involved in anti-China activities. The spies monitored their targets' communications, contacts (both in Turkey and China), and movements in Istanbul, Izmir, Manisa, Balikesir and Bursa. They also targeted Turkish public officials, aiming to identify which were in contact with the targeted Uyghurs or groups and potentially gather other sensitive information. While authorities believe ZL was a specially trained spy, other members did not appear to have specific talents. For example, ZYB, another Chinese citizen, only had a primary school education. His role was to transport the ghost base station in a vehicle, position it near targets and operate the device by simply turning it on and off. Daughter of Ottoman princess: How I rejected CIA attempt to make me a spy Read More » WR, also Chinese, claimed during his interrogation that he was an elevator repairman in China, likely a cover identity. Four other people are believed to have acted as couriers, bringing the device parts into Turkey. All seven suspects denied being part of a ring and claimed not to know each other. However, investigators reportedly have evidence that they held meetings periodically and were in contact. Turkish officials believe this ring represents one of the most comprehensive spying operations uncovered in Turkey to date. They contrasted it with other espionage rings, such as those linked to Israelis and Iranians, which typically hired private detectives or local operatives for simpler tasks like placing GPS devices on targeted cars, conducting visual surveillance or attempting kidnappings. The Chinese spy ring, however, did not use paid operatives and employed sophisticated technology to hack targeted individuals. Turkey is home to a large Uyghur diaspora that fled a Chinese crackdown on their culture and Islamic identity. Rights groups accuse China of conducting a campaign of repression amounting to genocide, particularly since 2014, when tens of thousands of Uyghurs were reportedly detained in "re-education" camps. China denies the accusations. Last year, Turkey arrested seven Chinese citizens of Uyghur background, accusing them of spying on other Uyghurs and organisations. The defendants claimed they were coerced into spying after Chinese intelligence officers threatened to harass their family members back in China.
Rudaw Net
09-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraq tells Turkey it needs more time to restart Kurdish oil exports
Also in ECONOMY Dana Gas says to begin production at Chamchamal field next year KRG calls for restart of Kurdish oil exports 'as soon as possible' Oil association urges renewed efforts to resume Kurdish exports KRG transfers control of digital salary payment program to finance ministry A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani told Turkey that Baghdad needs more time to reach an agreement with oil companies about restarting Kurdistan Region's oil exports, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Thursday. 'Talks continue between Baghdad and Erbil. They have yet to reach an agreement. According to the information we received from Mr. Sudani and his delegation today, they still need time,' Bayraktar told the Turkish broadcaster CNN Turk following Sudani's meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Erdogan and Sudani signed several memoranda of understanding aimed at boosting trade, investment, and shared economic interests during the Iraqi leader's visit. Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been suspended since March 2023 after a Paris-based arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad that Ankara violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing Erbil to export oil independently. Despite months of talks between Erbil, Baghdad, Ankara, and oil producers - with added pressure from the United States - the exports remain suspended, costing Iraq billions of dollars in lost revenue. Bayraktar said the Iraq-Turkey pipeline has the capacity to carry 1.5 million barrels of oil per day and that Ankara is interested in expanding oil and gas trade with Iraq, especially in Basra. "Iraq is our most natural partner. They are a partner with whom we can and do cooperate in every field. We are looking at three issues regarding energy. One is oil production. Another is our export of natural gas to power plants in Iraq. We also have significant cooperation regarding electricity, which we will increase further,' he told CNN Turk. The sticking points in negotiations on the oil exports are fees paid to oil producers and appointment of an international consultant. In early February, the Iraqi parliament approved amendments to the federal budget law, authorizing a $16-per-barrel fee for production and transport costs in the Kurdistan Region. The amendments also require the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to establish an international technical consultancy within 60 days to assess production and transportation costs for oil fields in the Kurdistan Region. If they do not reach an agreement, the federal council of ministers will appoint the consultant. The spokesperson for the international oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region told Rudaw on April 29 that Baghdad must provide written documentation of the international consultant's audit of production and costs. "We have been very clear. We have stated publicly, we have stated privately what our conditions are for resuming oil exports. And now is the time for the government of Iraq to share their view and produce written statements of work for the international consultant. And as soon as we have those agreements written, we will be ready to resume oil exports," said Myles Caggins, spokesperson for the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR).
Gulf News
24-04-2025
- General
- Gulf News
Turkey earthquake caught live on TV: News anchor's on-air reaction goes viral
Istanbul: A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul on Wednesday, jolting Turkey's largest city and sending shockwaves of panic across the region. The epicentre was located beneath the Sea of Marmara, near the Silivri district on the European side, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake struck just before 1 pm local time and was felt widely across western Turkey, rattling buildings, setting off car alarms, and prompting evacuations. At least 236 people were injured, most due to panic-induced falls, jumps from buildings, or anxiety-related episodes, officials said. Fortunately, no fatalities or major structural damage were reported. Anchor's on-air earthquake moment goes viral The tremor was captured live on CNN Turk, where anchor Meltem Bozbeyoglu was on air when the studio began to shake. Visibly startled but composed, she addressed viewers in real time: 'A very strong earthquake is happening right now in Istanbul. We felt it terribly,' she said, adding, 'I'm 32 years old, and this is the first time I've experienced such a big earthquake.' As the shaking intensified, Bozbeyoglu briefly paused, asked a colleague through her earpiece, 'Can you reach my mother?' and requested a WhatsApp message. Moments later, she turned back to the camera: 'I was frightened. I apologise if I made you panic.' Her real-time reaction struck a chord online and quickly went viral, highlighting the emotional toll the quake took on Istanbul's residents. City on high alert Istanbul, a city of around 16 million people, lies along the seismically active North Anatolian Fault. The Governor's Office confirmed that no residential buildings had collapsed, except for an abandoned structure in the Fatih district. Critical services—including energy, transportation, and water supply—remained operational. Thousands of residents evacuated homes, offices, and schools, crowding into open spaces such as parks and schoolyards. Some even set up tents in case of aftershocks. Experts warn of bigger quake ahead Prominent Turkish geologist Naci Gorur warned that Wednesday's quake was likely not the 'main event,' stressing that Istanbul remains at risk of a magnitude 7 or higher quake in the near future. The incident has revived memories of the devastating February 2023 earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkey, killing more than 53,000 people and leveling thousands of buildings. While Istanbul was spared at the time, that catastrophe raised alarms about the city's vulnerability to a similar disaster. Authorities monitor aftershocks
