Turkey

06 Dec 2022; MEMO: A letter provided by Russian insurer, Ingosstrakh, enabled the first oil tanker to sail through Turkish waters in recent days after tougher regulations were imposed by Turkish authorities, a document showed, Reuters reports.

This has led already at least 20 oil tankers backed up in the Turkish Straits as they do not have the right paperwork.

05 Dec 2022; MEMO: Turkiye announced that its unmanned fighter jet would soon perform its maiden flight after a take-off test, where it lifted off the ground for a short duration of time, local Turkish media reports.

According to the report, the National Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle System (MIUS), named "Kızılelma", completed its first runway run and autonomous taxiing test last month at an air base in north-western Tekirdag province.

06 Dec 2022; MEMO: Oil tankers formed a traffic jam off the coast of Turkiye on day one of the West's price cap on Russian crude, with Ankara insisting on new proof of insurance for all vessels, the Financial Times reported on Monday.

Around 19 crude oil tankers were waiting to cross Turkish waters on Monday, the report said, citing ship brokers, oil traders and satellite tracking services, Reuters reports.

04 Dec 2022; MEMO: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Turkiye will complete the 30-kilometer-deep (18.6-mile) security strip along its southern border, reports Anadolu Agency.

Speaking at a meeting in southern Sanliurfa province, Erdogan said that attacks will not deter the country from its determined stance on securing its southern border.

ISTANBUL, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed when a single-engine training plane crashed in Türkiye's northwestern province of Bursa on Thursday, Ihlas News Agency reported.

The plane crashed near a combined natural gas cycle power plant in the Osmangazi district of the city that carries the same name of the province, after taking off from Yunuseli Airport in the province's Yenisehir city at 3:40 p.m. local time (1240 GMT), according to the Ihlas report.

ANKARA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry decided on Thursday to freeze the assets of some individuals and entities with suspected links to the Islamic State (IS) group, according to the official Gazette of Republic of Türkiye.

The decision to freeze the assets of 17 people and four legal entities in Türkiye was "based on reasonable grounds that they have provided financing for terrorist organizations," said the gazette.

ANKARA, Nov 30 (APP): A tree plantation ceremony was held in the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Türkiye.

The event, hosted by Turkish Deputy Minister Ambassador Faruk Kaymakci, was attended by Ambassador of Pakistan to Türkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid, officials of Pakistan Embassy and Turkish diplomats.

Deputy Minister Kaymakci highlighted how the two states had supported each during critical times, as the relationship evolved from a strategic perspective.

ANKARA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 39 people were injured in a traffic accident in the northwestern Bartin province of Türkiye on Tuesday, Demiroren News Agency reported.

A passenger bus overturned on the Zonguldak-Bartin highway near Akcamescit region. A large number of police, firefighters and medical teams have been dispatched to the scene, the agency reported.

The injured were transferred to hospitals by ambulance, it said, adding that an investigation into the accident is underway.

ANKARA, November 28. /TASS/: Turkish army units near the Syrian border have wrapped up preparations for a ground operation across the border and are awaiting an order for a start, the TRT television channel said on Monday.

The Turkish cabinet is planning to discuss later on Monday an operation in northern Syria against the militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party and its Syrian branch, the People’s Protection Units. Source say Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could decide to start the operation at the cabinet meeting.

ONCUPINAR, Turkey, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Turkey's army needs just a few days to be ready for a ground incursion into northern Syria and such a decision may come at a cabinet meeting on Monday, Turkish officials said, as Turkish forces bombarded a Kurdish militia across the border.

Howitzers fired daily from Turkey have struck Kurdish YPG targets for a week, while warplanes have carried out airstrikes.