DEFENSE MINISTRY URGES SDF TO INTEGRATE, PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT TO DAMASCUS
The Defense Ministry urged the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate with the central government and pledged sustained support for the Damascus administration.
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ALEPPO SEES DANGEROUS MILITARY ESCALATION AMID STALLED DAMASCUS-SDF TALKS
A dangerous escalation has erupted between Damascus forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in two strategically important neighborhoods of Syria’s northern city of Aleppo. As clashes intensified, evacuation notices, issued Dec. 8. by Syria’s central government in the two key districts, have raised the possibility of a military operation. Simultaneously, the Defense Ministry said that Turkey would support an expected Syrian army operation in Aleppo “if requested.”
NEW REGULATION ON GOLD SALES
All gold will be sold with a tax label under the Precious Metal Tracking System (KMTS) to be launched in April by the Mint, which is affiliated with the Treasury and Finance Ministry.
ANKARA FRAMES ALEPPO FIGHTING AS COUNTERTERRORISM OPERATION
Amid renewed clashes between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led militia in Aleppo, the Turkish Defense Ministry said that the Turkish army would support the operation if Damascus requested assistance.
MINIMUM WAGE PANEL FACES STRUCTURAL CHANGE AS RAISE SCENARIOS EMERGE
Turkey’s Minimum Wage Determination Commission is preparing for its first major structural overhaul in 50 years after unions said the current system blocks fair representation. The Labor Ministry has proposed an “interim formula” that would cut the government’s seats from five to one, reducing the 15-member body to 11 while keeping five worker and five employer representatives.
DEATHS OF CHILD LABORERS SPARK PROTESTS
Authorities arrested 16 young leftists who were protesting the deaths of child laborers, many linked to MESEM, Vocational Training Centers run by the Education Ministry.
MHP FURY OVER BARZANI PHOTOS PUSHES INTERIOR MINISTRY TO INVESTIGATE ITS OWN STAFF
Images of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani accompanied by uniformed peshmerga fighters wearing red berets and carrying assault rifles weapons in Şırnak sparked outrage — particularly from MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli — and drove the Interior Ministry to investigate itself.
TURKEY’S 2026 BUDGET MISSES £5.4B EUROFIGHTER COST
Under the agreement signed between Turkey and the U.K., the £5.4 billion payment to the Eurofighter consortium for 20 Typhoon fighter jets was not included in either the Defense Ministry’s budget or the Defense Industry Presidency's (SSB) budget. The Defense Industry Support Fund (SSDF) can be used as a source of funding for this project, but the cost of the Typhoons is approximately double the annual amount transferred to the fund from taxes collected by the state.
DEFENSE MINISTRY BUDGET UP 31.9% EXCLUDING EUROFIGHTER DEAL
The Defense Ministry’s budget, 623.9 billion lira in 2025, is set to increase 31.9% to 822.9 billion lira in 2026, according to figures released during parliamentary budget talks Nov. 26. This allocation does not cover Turkey’s latest procurement of Eurofighters.
A MOUNTAIN ERASED, A LAKE “RENAMED,” A PEACE IN PROGRESS IN THE CAUCASUS
In political terms, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is over, but in the socio-psychological dimension, it continues, according to the Armenian prime minister. 'When I talk about peace, it seems strange and even alien to many. Peace is an unfamiliar concept for Armenia and Azerbaijan,' Nikol Pashinyan said Nov. 4 at the annual forum of the Orbeli Center, which operates under the Prime Ministry.
ANKARA IS DECISIVE ON FLYING OVER AEGEAN SEA WITH EUROFIGHTERS
The Defense Ministry denied reports that Turkey cannot use the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets it will procure from the U.K. against Greece over the Aegean Sea.
TRAINING FOR SYRIAN MILITARY STARTS
Training for Syrian military forces by the Turkish Army has begun in accordance with the Joint Training and Advisory MoU signed between the two countries on Aug. 13, the Defense Ministry announced.