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12.12.2024

12.12.2024The Day Damascus Gates Reopened

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Turkey for 12.12.2024.

It displays 386 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

12.12.2024The Day Damascus Gates Reopened
MIT Chief Ibrahim Kalın and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's Damascus visit marked Turkey's formal diplomatic re-engagement with Syria. Their presence at the Umayyad Mosque and appointment of Burhan Köroğlu as charge d'affaires signaled the reopening of Turkey's embassy after 12 years.

The morning brought news of a 4.4 magnitude earthquake in Çanakkale, while US Secretary Blinken's meetings in Ankara focused on post-Assad scenarios. Opposition leader Özgür Özel confronted Erdoğan with his past statements on Assad engagement.

By evening, Turkey's participation in Saturday's Jordan summit on Syria was confirmed, while Housing Minister promised completion of earthquake reconstruction by 2025. Kurdish leader Mazlum Abdi's statement on Süleyman Şah tomb negotiations suggested evolving power dynamics in northern Syria. The Turkish press maintained critical distance from both opposition and government narratives regarding Syrian developments.
12.12.2024
00:48

01:05Constitutional Court Audits Ten Parties

The newspapers report on Germany's Chancellor Scholz calling for early elections (Bianet), while Turkish Constitutional Court issues financial audit decisions for 10 political parties (Milliyet, Yeni Akit). Workers from Polonez file criminal complaints against governors and police chiefs (Birgun). US plans regarding ISIS in Raqqa receive coverage (Sabah), while previous Somalia-Ethiopia mediation coverage continues from earlier headlines.

05:38Syria's Second Act Begins

The newspapers report on new developments in Syria, with coverage of a "second act" unfolding (Birgun) and upcoming US-Turkey discussions (Cumhuriyet). Maritime traffic in the Dardanelles has been suspended (Milliyet), while political tensions rise with expulsions from an unnamed party (OdaTV) and sharp exchanges between nationalist politicians (Sözcü). A military funeral receives coverage (Hürriyet).

07:14Turkish Lira Enters Damascus Markets

The newspapers report on ongoing Syria developments, with Turkish Lira now being used in Damascus (OdaTV) and discussions about Abdullah Öcalan's influence on Syrian Kurds (Medyascope). Coverage continues of US-Turkey discussions (Cumhuriyet) and American ISIS-related activities in Raqqa (Sabah). Law enforcement reports capture of multiple fugitives in Edirne (Hürriyet, Sözcü).
07:28

08:26Opposition Demands Syria Return Timeline

The newspapers report on Turkey's diplomatic mediation between Somalia and Ethiopia over Somaliland (Daily Sabah), while coverage of Syria continues with CHP demanding a timeline for refugee returns (Sözcü). Pro-government media criticizes opposition's stance on Syria (Yeni Akit), while claims emerge about measurement manipulation in government reports (OdaTV).
08:32

09:14Assad's Second Blow While ISIS Suspects Detained

The newspapers report on new developments regarding Assad, with coverage of a "second blow" (Cumhuriyet) and accounts of prison torture during his regime (Milliyet). Security operations led to 47 ISIS suspects being detained (Hürriyet). On the economic front, Turkey and Iran aim to reach $30 billion in trade volume (Daily Sabah), while coverage continues of energy developments at Gabar (Sabah).
09:36

10:03Refugee Return Doubts While ISIS Cells Fall

The newspapers report on developments regarding Syrian refugees, with coverage of uncertainties about their return (Bianet) and ongoing political discourse between İmamoğlu and Erdoğan (Cumhuriyet). Security operations led to 47 ISIS suspects being detained (OdaTV). The UN General Assembly's call for Gaza ceasefire receives coverage (Daily Sabah), while details emerge about a helicopter accident investigation (Gerçek Gündem).
11:12

11:14Narcokapan Raids Strike İzmir

The newspapers report on anti-drug operations, with police conducting "NARKOKAPAN-2" raids in İzmir (Hürriyet, Sözcü). Political tensions surface in parliament (OdaTV), while AK Party's Deputy Chairman Dağ dismisses early election discussions (Sabah). Coverage continues of Syrian refugee uncertainties (Bianet) and UN General Assembly's Gaza ceasefire call (Daily Sabah).
11:44
11:52
12:00

12:02Çanakkale Quake Rattles Northwest

The newspapers report on an earthquake registering 4.5 magnitude in Çanakkale, affecting both Edirne and surrounding regions (Cumhuriyet, Milliyet, OdaTV). Turkey's diplomatic role in mediating the Somalia-Ethiopia dispute over Somaliland continues to receive coverage (Daily Sabah). Legal proceedings are highlighted with Halkbank's lawsuit against BirGün newspaper (Birgun) and updates on the Ebrar Sitesi construction case (Sözcü, Gerçek Gündem).
12:08
12:16
12:24

12:50Orban Seeks Peace While Earth Trembles

The newspapers report on Hungary's Orban meeting with Erdoğan to discuss Russia-Ukraine peace initiatives (Daily Sabah), while attention focuses on seismic activity following the Çanakkale earthquake, with Prof. Naci Görür issuing warnings (Birgun, Gerçek Gündem). Coverage continues of Turkish mediation in the Somalia-Ethiopia dispute (Sabah), while DEM Party anticipates Blinken's involvement (Aydinlik).

14:10Turkish Officials Land in Damascus

The newspapers report on diplomatic developments in Syria, with Turkish officials Hakan Fidan and İbrahim Kalın visiting Damascus (Medyascope), while discussions continue about the Süleyman Şah tomb's status (Bianet). Multiple outlets cover Muharrem İnce receiving a 7,000 TL fine for insulting the president (Hürriyet, Milliyet, Sözcü). Economic concerns surface with reports of living costs exceeding 75,000 TL (Cumhuriyet).
14:40

15:07Kalın Prays in Damascus

The newspapers focus extensively on MIT Chief Ibrahim Kalın's visit to Damascus, with reports of him praying at the Umayyad Mosque (Medyascope, Birgun, Cumhuriyet, Gerçek Gündem, Sabah, Aydinlik). Other coverage includes weather events, with heavy snowfall near Istanbul (Hürriyet) and a 100,000-ton landslide in Artvin (Milliyet), while seismologist Naci Görür issues warnings about the Marmara fault (OdaTV).
15:21
15:28

16:37MIT Chief Makes Damascus His Prayer Ground

The newspapers continue reporting on Ibrahim Kalın's significant Damascus visit, with new details of his meeting at the General Staff (Hürriyet) and praying at the Umayyad Mosque (Medyascope). PKK/YPG developments in Raqqa receive coverage (Yeni Akit), while legal proceedings against Muharrem İnce for insulting Erdoğan make headlines (Birgun). Infrastructure achievements are highlighted with reports of airport expansion from 26 to 58 facilities (Milliyet).

18:21Damascus Double Act: Kalın and Fidan Meet Assad

The newspapers report extensively on MIT Chief Ibrahim Kalın's Damascus visit, with new details emerging of his prayers at the Umayyad Mosque (Medyascope, Yeni Akit). Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has now joined him in Damascus (Yeni Akit, Gerçek Gündem), while opposition leader Özgür Özel criticizes Erdoğan's stance on Assad (Birgun, Cumhuriyet). In domestic news, Istanbul announces significant parking fee increases for 2025 (Milliyet).
20:34

21:05Embassy Returns to Damascus

The newspapers report extensively on Turkey's diplomatic reengagement with Syria. Multiple sources cover the appointment of Burhan Köroğlu as charge d'affaires to Damascus, marking the reopening of Turkey's embassy after 12 years (Birgun, Cumhuriyet, Hürriyet, OdaTV). European reengagement in Syria gains attention (Aydinlik), while Erdoğan's meeting with Blinken focuses on post-Assad scenarios (Daily Sabah). The Housing Minister promises completion of earthquake reconstruction by 2025 (Sabah).
21:44

22:57Damascus Embassy Returns As Kurds Seek Peace

The newspapers extensively report on Turkey's diplomatic reengagement with Syria, with new details emerging about the reopening of the Damascus embassy (Birgun, Gerçek Gündem). MIT Chief Kalın's convoy receives attention in Damascus streets (Yeni Akit), while Kurdish leader Mazlum Abdi announces discussions for a permanent ceasefire with Turkey (Medyascope). Syrian secular opposition issues its first joint statement (Bianet), while details emerge from Erdoğan-Blinken meeting (Hürriyet, Daily Sabah).