QUESTIONS MOUNT OVER SOLDIER DEATHS
Twelve Turkish soldiers died from gas exposure in a PKK-used cave in northern Iraq on July 6, and two more from excessive fluid loss in Hatay on July 25, but key questions about both incidents remain unanswered.
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DEBATE ON FORMING KURDISH ISSUE COMMISSION ENDS AS NEW CLASHES BEGIN
As of July 31, all parties represented in Turkish Parliament—except the İYİ Party—have appointed members to join the parliamentary commission on the Kurdish issue, ending debates over which parties would take seats. Attention now turns to the commission’s roadmap, including its official name, agenda, timeline, and decision-making rules. The İYİ Party’s decision to abstain from participation has complicated the calculation of an absolute majority. While Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş initially announced that the commission would have 51 members, the İYİ Party’s absence reduces the number to 48, raising debate over whether the three-fifths majority should be calculated based on 51 or 48 members.
UNIONS UNDER FIRE FOR GIFTING JOURNALISTS SHOPPING VOUCHERS
Two Turkish unions sparked a backlash after distributing shopping vouchers worth thousands of liras to journalists at press events funded by workers’ subscriptions.
BAHÇELİ AMONG FIRST TO JOIN SOCIAL PLATFORM LAUNCHED BY ERDOĞAN’S SON-IN-LAW
MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli joined the newly launched social media platform Next Sosyal, developed by Baykar Chair Selçuk Bayraktar, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son-in-law.
ERDOĞAN POSTPONES MINERS' STRIKE FOR 60 DAYS
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has signed a 60-day delay in the strike decision made by the Turkish Mine Workers' Union.
FİDAN UNEASY ABOUT INCREASING SCRUTINY
The debate kicked off following an article by journalist Zeynep Gürcanlı, who asked why Turkey did not join the statement issued by the Hague Group during their meeting in Bogota on July 16. Turkey was among 30 countries at the Bogota conference, yet opted not to sign the statement, which included measures against Israel. Among these measures are the denial of arms to Israel, a ban on ships transporting such arms, and a review of public contracts for possible links to companies that benefit from the Israeli occupation.
SDF REJECTS US ENVOY TOM BARRACK’S DEMANDS, INSISTS ON INTEGRATION WITH SYRIAN ARMY
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) rejected U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack’s demands to withdraw from Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, and Tabqa and surrender weapons, stating they plan to integrate gradually into the Syrian army rather than disarm.
TOP COURT RULES RIGHTS OF GEZİ PRISONER VIOLATED
The Constitutional Court ruled that Tayfun Kahraman’s right to a fair trial was violated and ordered a retrial. The decision was made by majority vote.
CHP’S RELENTLESS RALLIES FAIL TO SWAY CORRUPTION PROBE
Since Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s detention on March 19, the CHP has held 40 rallies despite no upcoming elections, yet failed to shift the political agenda. The party opened İmamoğlu’s first campaign office in its Çankaya stronghold in Ankara, only to see its provincial chair dismissed days later. Though operations against Istanbul Municipality slowed, confessions from businessperson Aziz İhsan Aktaş continue to dominate headlines. A fresh wave of arrests targeted subsidiaries ISFALT and IETT, as well as tender officials.
SPEAKER MOVES TO FORM PEACE COMMISSION AS CRUCIAL TERMS STILL IN LIMBO
The Turkish Parliament Speaker has moved forward to form a long-anticipated commission as part of the government’s “Terror-Free Turkey” initiative, setting the number of members at 51 and requesting party nominations by July 31, following days of delay and political back-and-forth.
BIGGEST SHAKE-UP IN ARMY PENSION FUND SINCE 2016 COUP ATTEMPT
In the most dramatic leadership overhaul at the armed forces pension fund since the 2016 coup attempt, retired Lt. Gen. Zekai Aksakallı—a key figure in thwarting the coup—has been named chairman of the giant fund.
SONG FOR A TERROR-FREE TURKEY
As requested by MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli, artist Ali Kınık composed a folk song on the theme of brotherhood to celebrate the Terror-free Turkey process.