ANALYSIS
"Turkey’s Prospects in Syria Depend on Peace" by Mustafa Enes Esen, The Institute for Diplomacy and Economy
Although Turkey has officially labeled HTS a terrorist organization, largely to appease Russia and Iran, it has not treated it as such in practice. Through its intelligence agency, MIT, Turkey has developed robust relationships with HTS and other jihadist organizations in Idlib.
However, the dynamics between Turkey and HTS have fundamentally shifted. While HTS was once an asset under Turkish intelligence oversight, it has now grown to rule Syria, decreasing its dependence on Ankara. Conversely, Turkey increasingly needs HTS’s cooperation to implement its Syrian policy, particularly regarding the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The fall of Bashar al-Assad does not guarantee freedom or stability. The conflict in Syria remains unsettled, with Turkish military operations in the north and Israeli invasion in the south. If Turkey genuinely wishes to maintain Syria’s territorial integrity, as it often claims, it must engage with both its friends and enemies. The successful resettlement of millions of refugees and the reconstruction of Syria hinge on achieving a stable and peaceful nation.
"As Syria’s regime collapses, Erdogan eyes victory over the Kurds", The Economist
Syria’s future is uncertain. More chaos, or even a new war, could be around the corner. But for now Mr Erdogan’s hand in Syria is stronger than ever.
What now matters to Mr Erdogan more than anything else is the chance to cripple the SDF, which Turkey considers an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), its sworn enemy. (Turkey views both as terrorist groups.)
Mr Erdogan, evidently, does not want to negotiate a settlement with the PKK, but to impose one, through a combination of force in Syria and political pressure at home. He may soon get his way.
"Erdogan Gets His ‘Leader of the Muslim World’ Moment" by Steven A. Cook and Sinan Ciddi, Foreign Policy
Now Erdogan finds himself in a novel and commanding position to determine Syria’s future without Assad in power. There should be little doubt that the man who sees himself and his country as natural leaders of the Arab and Muslim countries is relishing the opportunity to shape the new Syrian order.
Over and over again, the Turks have overestimated their ability to manage and shape crises in the region. There is no better evidence of this than Syria itself. Now that HTS and the Syrian people have chased Assad out of the country, they need Erdogan a lot less than they did a month ago. It is not clear whether the Turks recognize this reality.
Now that Assad is gone, Erdogan will not be able to restrain the impulse to put his stamp on Syria. The problem is that, as Syrians have demonstrated so ably in recent days, they do not want anyone’s help.
"In Post-Assad Middle East, Iran’s Loss Is Turkey’s Gain" by Vali Nasr, Foreign Policy
In time, Turkey’s gains in Syria could also extend the former’s influence into Lebanon and Iraq, especially as Iran’s position in these two countries weakens with the loss of Syria. This reality changes the regional balance of power in important ways.
If Turkey, emboldened by the outcome in Syria, now lends support to Azerbaijan to assert control over the Zangezur corridor trade route that will connect Azerbaijan and Armenia to Turkey, Iran will be completely cut out of the Caucasus. To Iran, this could look like a reconstitution of the Ottoman Empire’s hold over the Caucasus and Levant that Iran grappled with between the 16th and 20th centuries.
Worryingly for Arab states, this victory is a belated chapter of the Arab Spring, in the form of a resurrection of Islamism as a political force in control of a vital Arab state.
"How Turkey Won the Syrian Civil War" by Gonul Tol, Foreign Affairs
Without a military footprint in Syria, Russia’s logistical support for its operations in Africa, particularly in Libya, will be compromised, potentially leaving a void that Turkey can fill.
Losing Syria will limit Iran’s ability to project power, giving Turkey more room to maneuver, from Iraq and Syria to the South Caucasus.
The fall of the Assad regime is likely to offer Erdogan another benefit: the chance for reconciliation with Washington. The United States’ military presence in Syria and cooperation with the YPG have strained bilateral ties and complicated Turkish operations in the region. When he takes office, Trump might agree to a deal in which Turkey commits to containing ISIS and the United States removes its troops from Syria, thus setting up Ankara for a productive relationship with the new administration.
This win in Syria has afforded him status, which Erdogan will hope to use to his advantage in relations with the West and with countries in the region. But if Syria slides back into chaos, producing terrorism and instability that could send more refugees across the border, Turkey’s strongman may come to regret the rebels’ catastrophic success.
"What Does Regime Change in Syria Mean for Russian-Turkish Relations?" by Dimitar Bechev, The Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
Turkey is often seen as dependent on Russian energy supplies and therefore susceptible to strongarm tactics. Now that might be changing too. With Gazprom’s transit contract with Ukraine’s Naftogaz expiring on January 1, TurkStream will be the only pipeline export route from Russia to the rest of Europe.
Turkey will use its role as a conduit to extract better terms from the Russian side, including the ability to buy extra volumes of Russian gas to reexport (and mark up) as its own: a crucial part of the conversation around establishing a “gas hub” on Turkish soil.
With Syria out of the picture, Russian-Turkish relations will pivot back to their natural geographic fulcrum: the Black Sea region. Erdogan’s choice will not be to take a risk and challenge Russia. Rather, he will continue to act as an intermediary between Putin and the West. Prospective negotiations on Ukraine spearheaded by Trump could be a golden opportunity.
"Syria after Assad: The winners for now are Turkey and the West" by Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Middle East Eye
It is uncertain how the collapse of Syria's secular government and the rise of Islamists will impact the US's long-term interests, with the differing perspectives between the US and Turkey on the Kurdish issue, the ambiguity surrounding the future actions of the opposition and the prospect of increasing instability in the region.
Turkey is the main winner. Ankara may hope to resolve the Syrian refugee crisis in Turkey, exert more effective control over the Kurds and strengthen its role in the Palestinian issue, as well as cement alliances with like-minded groups in the region.
Several Arab countries, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan, are opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood and its ideology. Therefore, Turkey's power projection in the region and the Brotherhood's potential future dominance in Syria could be perceived as a new threat by some Arab countries.
Even if there are no internal disagreements among the opposition, their conflicts with the Kurds and Turkey's stance on this issue alone pose a major obstacle to establishing a consensus-based order. This could keep Syria in a prolonged political and security crisis, similar to Libya and Sudan.
"After Assad: the hard way out for Syrian refugees returning from Turkey" by Dr Elif Selin Calik, Middle East Monitor
While many Turkish citizens support swift repatriations to relieve domestic tensions, evicting refugees by force would violate international law and only increase Syria’s instability.
Relatedly, voluntary returns must be planned carefully. Turkiye and international institutions will need to assess the security, government and infrastructure in returning areas.
Because of economic and currency issue, Turkiye cannot bear this burden on its own. It requires coordinated action from the UN, the European Union and Gulf countries to rebuild and monitor returnee safety. What Turkiye will contribute to Syria’s new future is critical. It will require working with rebel groups on inclusive governance and provision of basic services.
To keep humanitarian imperatives and domestic demands in check, Turkiye’s strategy will call for diplomacy and cooperation. By insisting on voluntary, safe and humane returns, Turkiye would not only be honouring its moral and legal commitments, but also help the region maintain stability and help Syria recover in the long term. This road is steep, but with preparation and international help, we can transform this moment of disruption into a ground for peace.
POLITICS
Turkey Considers DEM Party's Request to Meet Jailed Kurdish Leader
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said the pro-Kurdish DEM Party's application to meet with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan was under review. Tunc stated that the process was ongoing and that the ministry would work to arrange an appropriate meeting date.
The DEM Party had formally requested the meeting on November 26, following a call from Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli.
Erdogan and Opposition Exchange Criticism Over SGK Debt
After a Cabinet meeting, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the CHP municipalities, urging them to pay off their debts to the Social Security Institution (SGK). He specifically asked the Minister of Labor to push for more decisive action.
Responding, Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas pointed out that municipalities in Ankara, which switched from AKP and MHP to CHP, have a total debt of 2 billion liras. He questioned, "The SGK has approximately 1 trillion liras in receivables. Ten percent of this is from the municipalities, and 90 percent is from whom?
Erdogan: Opposition Spreading Pessimism About Economic Difficulties
Addressing his party’s 8th Provincial Congress in Erzurum on December 14, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the current economic difficulties were temporary and exaggerated by the opposition to create pessimism.
He claimed that the global system was facing its worst crisis in 80 years, but Turkey was emerging as an island of stability amid the global chaos.
DEM Party Co-Chairs Visit Felicity Party
On December 12, Tulay Hatimogullari and Tuncer Bakirhan, Co-Chairs of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), visited Felicity Party Chairman Mahmut Arikan as part of their ongoing efforts to engage with opposition parties and civil society organizations (NGOs).
After the meeting, Hatimogullari stated that they discussed the current economic and political conditions in Turkey and the new developments in Syria.
Former Hatay Mayor Savas Expelled from CHP
Lutfu Savas, the former mayor of Hatay Metropolitan Municipality, was expelled from the Republican People's Party (CHP) on December 11. His expulsion follows a request for permanent dismissal submitted to the party's disciplinary board.
The decision came after Savas's criticism of his party's increasing closeness with the DEM Party, which he expressed on social media two months ago.
ECONOMY
Turkey's Trade Sales Volume Grows 7.2% YoY
Turkey's trade sales volume increased by 7.2% year-on-year in October, TURKSTAT data revealed. Retail sales rose 15%, with food, drinks, and tobacco sales up by 10.6%, and non-food sales soared 20.1%. The volume of wholesale and retail trade, as well as motor vehicle and motorcycle repairs, grew by 9.2%. Wholesale trade sales increased by 3.8%, while retail trade sales saw a 15.0% rise.
However, on a month-to-month basis, Turkey's total trade sales volume dropped by 1.9% in October, while retail sales rose slightly by 0.2%.
Turkey Posts Fifth Consecutive Monthly Current Account Surplus
Turkey recorded a current account surplus of $1.88 billion in October, surpassing economists' expectations of $1.3 billion, the Central Bank reported.
Excluding gold and energy, the surplus reached $7.16 billion. Goods exports totalled $23.4 billion, while imports stood at $26.9 billion, widening the deficit to $3.54 billion. Services contributed $6.45 billion, with $5.12 billion from travel income.
However, direct investments saw a net outflow of $204 million in October, lowering the total direct investment inflow to $3.26 billion in the first 10 months of 2024.
Turkey Fines Google $75 Million for Antitrust Violations
Turkey’s antitrust regulator fined Google 2.61 billion liras ($75 million) for abusing its dominance in advertising technology. The board found that Google’s supply-side platform unfairly favoured its services over competitors, violating competition laws. The ruling includes Google International LLC, Google LLC, Google Ireland Ltd., and Alphabet Inc.
Google has six months to address these concerns and offer equal conditions to third-party SSPs. Failure to comply could lead to further daily fines. The company has the option to appeal the ruling.
Turkey's Solar Energy Capacity Set to Exceed 20,000 Megawatts in 2024
According to Hakan Erkan, secretary general of the Solar Energy Industrialists and Industry Association (GENSED), Turkey's solar energy capacity is expected to surpass 20,000 megawatts by the end of the year. This increased capacity could meet the electricity needs of approximately 10 million households.
Erkan also noted that Turkey targets a combined solar and wind energy capacity of 120,000 megawatts by 2035, requiring an additional 4,000-5,000 megawatts of solar power annually.
HUMAN RIGHTS
US Report Criticizes Turkey's Counterterrorism Practices
The US State Department’s “Country Reports on Terrorism 2023” stated that Turkey continues to detain and arrest individuals on alleged terrorism charges with scant evidence and minimal due process.
The report criticized Turkey's broad interpretation of terrorism, highlighting concerns that its counterterrorism practices often target political opposition and peaceful activism.
"Turkey exploits post-9/11 counterterrorism model to target critics in exile" by Greg Miller, The Washington Post
Turkey’s attempt to characterize crackdown as counterterrorism is seen by human rights organizations and Western security officials as an attempt to legitimize a campaign of transnational repression, a term for governments’ use of violence and intimidation against exiles seen as a political threat. In doing so, Turkey is part of a broader phenomenon. Global powers and autocratic leaders have applied the terrorist label to an expanding array of exiled groups and cast operations against them.
The report said the renditions were often preceded by secret cooperation agreements with other governments “containing broad and vague references to combating terrorism.” When formal extradition measures fail, the report said, Turkish authorities “resort to covert operations” in which those apprehended are “forcibly disappeared for up to several weeks” and “often subjected to coercion, torture and degrading treatment.”
The abductions and Kenyan officials’ apparent dissembling about them stunned Western officials. U.S. officials summoned Kenya’s ambassador in Washington to the State Department on Oct. 25 for a meeting in which Marta Youth, the top department official on refugee issues, expressed “shock at the detention and involuntary return” of the Turkish nationals, according to an official who reviewed a summary of the meeting. CIA Director William J. Burns and Moore, his British counterpart, also raised the issue in separate meetings with Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi in October, officials said.
CHP Deputy Reveals Key Statistics on Human Rights Applications
On December 10, Human Rights Day, CHP Istanbul Deputy Zeynel Emre highlighted serious human rights violations in Turkey. Emre revealed that since 2012, 633,425 individuals have filed applications to the Constitutional Court, and 23,500 applications were made to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) last year—surpassing the total number from Russia and Ukraine.
He also noted that Turkey's prison population exceeds its capacity, with 378,676 detainees in prisons meant for 299,000. Emre added that 848 journalists were arrested between 2002 and 2024.
DEM Party Report: Turkey Intensifies Crackdown on Party in 2024
Turkish authorities detained at least 3,948 people and arrested 632 individuals in 2024 as part of an ongoing crackdown on the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and its affiliates, according to a report shared by DEM Party officials Sevda Celik Ozbingol and Ozturk Turkdogan during Human Rights Week.
The report reveals that among the detained were 256 DEM Party executives, with 50 placed under arrest. It also documented nine physical attacks on DEM Party offices, including the Ankara headquarters.
UN Halts Deportation of Gulen Movement Sympathizer to Turkey
The United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT) has halted the deportation of an asylum seeker in Germany who is reportedly linked to the Gulen Movement.
The International Association for Human Rights Advocacy in Geneva (IAHRAG) reported that the individual detained in Germany and facing deportation sought asylum due to fears of persecution. Responding to IAHRAG's appeal, CAT issued interim measures under Rule 114, requesting Germany to suspend the deportation. The individual was released from custody following CAT's intervention.
Protesters Allege Mistreatment After Demonstration Against Trade with Israel
The mistreatment of nine protesters, arrested and later released for opposing trade with Israel during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's speech at the TRT World Forum, has sparked public outrage.
Journalist Ismail Saymaz reported claims from protester Seyma Yildirim, who alleged that she was strip-searched, forced to kneel naked, and subjected to physical abuse in detention. Yildirim also stated that headscarves were forcibly removed.
The activists face up to three years in prison. In an indictment accepted by the court, prosecutors seek sentences of between six months and three years for them.
European Parliament Delegation Meets DEM Party Co-Chairs
On December 13, European Parliament Turkey Rapporteur Nacho Sanchez and his delegation met with DEM Party Co-Chairs Tulay Hatimogullari and Tuncer Bakirhan.
The closed-door meeting reportedly focused on the increasing pressure on the opposition in Turkey, the impact of trustee appointments, human rights violations, the Kurdish issue, and the latest developments in Syria.
Journalist Nevsin Mengu Detained for Interview with PYD Leader
Journalist Nevsin Mengu was detained on December 14 after interviewing Salih Muslum, a leader of the PYD, on her YouTube channel the day before. She was accused of praising a crime and the criminal during the interview. After providing testimony at the prosecutor's office, Mengu was released with a travel ban imposed on her.
Top Court Upholds Restrictions on Convicted Doctors and Veterinarians
The Constitutional Court ruled that restrictions on practising medicine and veterinary medicine for individuals convicted of crimes against the constitutional order are constitutional.
Announced on December 10, 2024, the court stated that barring such individuals from their professions for three years after completing their sentence does not impose an excessive burden.
No further crimes must be committed within this period to lift the restriction, and the individual must demonstrate good conduct. The court also deemed these conditions reasonable and lawful.
Turkey’s Top Court Rules No Rights Violation in Istanbul Convention Case
Turkey’s Constitutional Court ruled that no rights were violated in a case challenging the country’s 2021 withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. The court declared the case “inadmissible,” stating that neither the applicant, Ayse Sarihan, nor the 29th October Women’s Association could prove they were “personally and directly affected” by the withdrawal.
The Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at preventing violence against women, has been a contentious issue since Turkey’s withdrawal.
Turkey Imposes Fine on Meta for Privacy Breaches Involving Minors on Instagram
Turkey's data protection authority fined Meta 11.5 million Turkish Liras (about $330,000) for privacy violations related to Instagram accounts operated by minors.
The investigation revealed that Instagram allowed users under 18 to convert private accounts into business accounts, making personal information like email addresses and phone numbers publicly accessible. The Turkish regulator said this lack of safeguards left minors vulnerable to online risks.
FOREIGN POLICY
Erdogan and Sisi to Meet in Cairo to Discuss Syria
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on December 19, focusing on Syria’s evolving situation. The meeting will take place during the D-8 summit of developing nations, marking the first meeting between Erdogan and an Arab leader since the Assad government’s overthrow.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also expected to attend, with Sisi aiming to mediate discussions between Erdogan and Iran’s president.
Turkey Reopens Embassy in Damascus After 12 Years
On December 14, Turkey raised its flag at its embassy in Damascus, officially resuming operations after a 12-year hiatus. Burhan Köroğlu, Turkey’s ambassador to Mauritania, has been appointed as the acting charge d’affaires.
Global and Regional Leaders Convene in Jordan for Syria Talks
Top diplomats from the U.S., Turkey, the EU, and Arab nations met in Aqaba, Jordan, on December 14 to discuss Syria’s future amidst shifting power dynamics following the removal of President Bashar al-Assad.
Participants included U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.N. Special Envoy Geir Pederson, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and ministers from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar. Russia and Iran, Assad’s key allies, were notably absent, and no Syrian representatives attended the talks.
Blinken meets Erdogan and Fidan to Discuss Stability in Syria
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Turkey on December 12 to discuss stability in Syria. He met President Tayyip Erdogan at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, addressing the fight against terrorism and reconstruction efforts in Syria. Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to preventing terrorist activity, including combating Islamic State. Blinken highlighted shared U.S.-Turkey interests, supporting a Syrian-led political transition and ensuring the continued defeat of the Islamic State.
On December 13, Blinken also met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Both agreed on shared concerns and solutions, prioritizing stability in Syria, preventing terrorism, and addressing threats from the Islamic State and the PKK.
Turkish Intelligence Chief Visits Damascus for Talks
Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin visited Damascus on December 12 for talks with Syria's new rebel leadership, two sources told Reuters.
The Syrian Information Ministry stated that Kalin and Qatar's head of state security, Khalfan al-Kaabi, met with Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and caretaker prime minister Mohammad al-Bashir.
Minister: Turkey Ready to Support Military Training to New Syrian Administration
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler expressed Turkey's readiness to provide military training if requested by Syria's new administration. Guler emphasized that the administration's initial statements, expressing respect for government institutions and international organizations, are constructive.
US and Turkey Agree on Safe Withdrawal of Kurdish Forces from Manbij
On December 9, the United States and Turkey reached an agreement for the safe withdrawal of U.S.-backed Kurdish Syrian forces (SDF) from the northern city of Manbij following an advance by Turkey-backed rebels. According to a Syrian opposition source, the SDF has already withdrawn from the city and still needs to withdraw from the other areas east of Manbij.
Turkish state-owned Anadolu news agency reported that Manbij is being checked for possible landmines left behind.
Top Military Officials Discuss Rapid Developments in Syria
On December 8, Chief of General Staff Gen. Metin Gurak held phone discussions with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Gen. Christopher Cavoli, and the U.K.’s Chief of Defense Staff, Adm. Tony Radakin, to discuss the fast-changing developments in Syria.
A senior Biden administration official stated that the U.S. is engaged in “full-spectrum communication” with Turkey regarding the situation. High-level U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director Bill Burns, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are maintaining an active dialogue with their Turkish counterparts.
Turkey Condemns Israel’s Actions in Syria
Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s actions in Syria, accusing it of violating the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement. In a statement issued on December 10, Turkey criticized Israel for entering the separation zone and expanding its occupation of Syrian territory.
Turkey Destroys Weapons and Military Supplies Seized by YPG in Northeast Syria
On December 10, Turkey’s intelligence agency (MIT) destroyed 12 trucks carrying missiles, heavy weapons, two tanks, and ammunition that were seized by the Kurdish YPG militia in northeast Syria, a Turkish security source told Reuters.
These military supplies had been reportedly abandoned by Syrian regime forces when they left the Qamishli area. MIT launched the operation after detecting that the YPG was transporting military supplies to its warehouses.
Trump Nominates Tom Barrack as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey
On December 10, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced Tom Barrack, the chair of his 2016 inaugural committee, as his pick for ambassador to Turkey. Barrack, a longtime friend of Trump and a private equity executive, was acquitted in 2022 of charges related to acting as an agent of the UAE. Trump praised Barrack as a "well-respected and experienced voice of reason" in a post on Truth Social.
Turkey Considers Reviving Pipeline Project with Qatar After Assad Regime's Fall
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced the potential revival of a long-stalled natural gas pipeline project between Turkey and Qatar.
Speaking before a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Bayraktar noted that the pipeline could connect Qatar, Turkey, and European countries through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria. However, he stressed that the project depends on Syria achieving territorial integrity and stability. "The route must be secure. If conditions align, many projects could be realized," he said.
Ethiopia and Somalia Ease Tensions With New Deal Brokered by Turkey
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud travelled to Ankara, Turkey, on December 10 to participate in the third round of talks aimed at easing tensions with Ethiopia, the state news agency Somali National News Agency (SONNA) reported.
On December 11, Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to reduce tensions over Ethiopia's plans to establish a military base in Somaliland in exchange for a stake in Somalia’s national airline. Turkish President Erdogan announced the deal after mediating talks between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh.
Both countries agreed to develop commercial arrangements for Ethiopia's access to the sea. Technical negotiations are set to begin by February, with a four-month timeline for completion.
Turkey Protests Somalia's Use of Special Forces in Regional Dispute
Turkey has expressed concern over Somalia's deployment of Turkish-trained special forces, Gorgor, to Ras Kamboni to fight the regional leader, chief analyst Rashid Abdi reported. The United States also protested the involvement of US-trained Danab forces in the conflict.
Abdi highlighted that the situation in Ras Kamboni shows the Somali elite's focus on internal power struggles rather than fighting Al-Shabaab. The proliferation of politicized special units trained by different nations has given federal elites new tools to further their agendas, he added.
Turkey Offers to Mediate Sudan-UAE Dispute
Turkish President Erdogan told Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during a phone call that Turkey is ready to mediate the ongoing dispute between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates. Erdogan highlighted Turkey’s successful mediation between Somalia and Ethiopia, calling it a significant step for regional stability.
The Sudanese army has accused the UAE of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with arms, which the UAE denies.
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