Istanbul

Turkey detains 115 suspected Islamic State members believed planning Christmas and New Year attacks

Istanbul Police obtained information that Islamic State members had planned attacks in Turkey during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the prosecutor's office posted on X.

|ByREUTERS
A member loyal to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) waves an ISIL flag in Raqqa June 29, 2014
Gate of Neve Shalom Synagogue, Istanbul, Turkey.

Jews attacked en route to Hanukkah candle lighting at Istanbul synagogue

Jews heading to a Hanukkah candle lighting in Istanbul were attacked amid protests and anti Israel slogans, according to footage from the scene.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Then-Hamas Arab relations chief Khalil al-Hayya (R) hold a press conference during a visit to the Syrian capital Damascus on October 19, 2022

Hamas chief, Turkey's intelligence head discuss Gaza ceasefire's second phase in Istanbul

Forces from the IDF's 16th Brigade operating in the northern Strip identified the terrorists, who were shot dead by the Israeli Air Force.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal addresses an Istanbul conference, December 6, 2025.

Hamas's Khaled Mashaal: We will not disarm, give up control in Gaza, or accept int'l oversight

Israel's Foreign Ministry, sharing footage of Mashaal's address, slammed the comments, calling them a "direct contradiction of the core terms of the peace plan itself."

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Pope Leo XIV lands in Beirut during first Middle East visit

Pope Leo XIV begins a three-day visit to Lebanon, meeting leaders, touring five cities, and honoring victims of the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

NOVEMBER 30, 2025ByREUTERS
Pope Leo XIV disembarks the papal plane upon arrival at Rafic Hariri International Airport, during his first apostolic journey, in Beirut, Lebanon, November 30, 2025.

Prominent Turkish journalist gets 4-year sentence for Erdogan comments

Fatih Altayli was sentenced after referencing a historic Ottoman Turkish practice of killing or drowning rulers they no longer wanted in power.

NOVEMBER 26, 2025ByREUTERS
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attends a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, October 30, 2025.

Ukraine seeking exchange of 1,200 prisoners with Russia

Ukraine says it is pushing to restart prisoner exchanges with Russia, aiming to bring home 1,200 Ukrainians.

NOVEMBER 16, 2025ByREUTERS
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy poses for a picture with service members while he visits a command position of the 128th Zakarpattia Separate Mountain Assault Brigade at a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine November 13, 2025.

Newborn African lion cub rescued from Istanbul smugglers

The cub was discovered after a tip-off on a veterinary clinic holding the cub in the Tuzla district.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Turkish authorities rescued a 35-day-old African lion cub after it was trafficked into Istanbul, the Agricultural and Forestry Ministry confirmed last week.

Turkey court orders arrest of Istanbul's jailed mayor for 'political espionage'

Turkey intensifies its crackdown on dissent as a court orders the new arrest of jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu over alleged ‘political espionage.’

OCTOBER 27, 2025ByREUTERS
Supporters of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu shout slogans in front of the Justice Palace, October 26, 2025.

Pakistan reports border clashes during talks with Afghanistan

The Taliban denies accusations of sheltering insurgents and says Pakistan's military operations violate Afghan sovereignty.

OCTOBER 26, 2025ByREUTERS
People inspect houses and vehicles destroyed during an airstrike, following a temporary ceasefire, amid the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, October 16, 2025.

Istanbul cancels Robbie Williams concert over safety fears following anti-Israel activist pressure

Istanbul authorities canceled Robbie Williams’s show after online backlash labeling him a “Zionist” over his ties to Israel and Jewish family.

OCTOBER 5, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Robbie Williams performing at the FIFA Club World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, July 13, 2025; illustrative.

Turkey orders detention of Istanbul district mayor, others in corruption probe, state media says

The police carried out early morning raids at 72 locations to seize documents and detain suspects on charges including embezzlement, bribery, and tender rigging, according to TRT Haber.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025ByREUTERS
Protesters hold a banner with an image of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul’s Sarachane Square, March 2025.

Turkey’s ruling party hopes to ‘decapitate’ opposition - analysis

Police clashed with CHP supporters in Istanbul as Erdogan’s government banned protests and moved to tighten control over Turkey’s opposition.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
An illustrative image of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey detains defense firm Assan Group executives in military espionage probe

Turkish authorities detained the two on suspicion of military espionage and membership in the network of the US-based cleric accused of orchestrating a 2016 coup.

AUGUST 28, 2025ByREUTERS
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan poses with Hisar medium air defense surface-to-air missile system and Siper high to medium air defense surface-to-air missile system ,during a ceremony at Aselsan Golbasi Campus in Ankara, Turkey, August 27, 2025.

Istanbul mayor's jailed lawyer denounces 'criminalization of the right to a legal defence'

The lawyer from Turkey's main opposition figure, who is also jailed like the mayor, denounced that he faces "entirely fabricated" charges.

JULY 7, 2025ByREUTERS
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan reacts during a press conference at a NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 25, 2025.