Egypt warns Turkey over Cyprus gas exploration

Egypt warns Turkey over Cyprus gas exploration

by WorldTribune Staff, February 8, 2018 Egypt has warned Turkey not to infringe on gas exploration rights Cairo obtained in a deal with Greek Cyprus. “Any attempt to infringe or diminish Egypt’s rights in that area” will be confronted, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid said on Feb. 6, Reuters reported. Turkish Foreign Minister […]

Tillerson: U.S. no longer focused on Assad’s status which will be ‘decided’ by the Syrians

Tillerson: U.S. no longer focused on Assad’s status which will be ‘decided’ by the Syrians

by WorldTribune Staff, March 31, 2017 In a major policy shift from that of Barack Obama, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on March 30 said the U.S. will no longer demand that Syrian President Bashar Assad step down as part of a negotiated solution to the Syrian crisis. The “longer-term status of President Assad […]

As Erdogan deploys tanks near border, Iraq warns Turkey will be treated ‘as an enemy’

As Erdogan deploys tanks near border, Iraq warns Turkey will be treated ‘as an enemy’

by WorldTribune Staff, November 4, 2016 Iraq’s prime minister warned Turkey of a possible confrontation after Turkish tanks, artillery and troops were deployed near the Iraqi border. “We do not want war with Turkey, and we do not want a confrontation with Turkey,” Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Iraqi state TV on Nov. […]

Turkey invades Syria, targets ISIL-held border town ahead of Kurdish militia

Turkey invades Syria, targets ISIL-held border town ahead of Kurdish militia

by WorldTribune Staff, August 24, 2016 Turkish tanks and special forces rolled across the border on Aug. 24 in an unprecedented operation to drive Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) out of the Syrian town of Jarabulus. Turkey’s army was backed by international coalition airstrikes in its effort to take the ISIL-controlled territory ahead […]

Turkey cites ‘positive signals’ from U.S. on extraditing Gulen

Turkey cites ‘positive signals’ from U.S. on extraditing Gulen

by WorldTribune Staff, August 15, 2016 Turkish officials have said that finally the U.S. is sending “positive signals” on the extradition of cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara said engineered the July 15 coup attempt. “We have started to receive some positive signals on the calls we have made,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in […]

Germany warns Erdogan: Europe ‘will not be blackmailed’

Germany warns Erdogan: Europe ‘will not be blackmailed’

by WorldTribune Staff, August 3, 2016 Germany’s vice chancellor said the EU “will not be blackmailed” after Turkey threatened to walk away from its agreement to reduce the flow of migrants into Europe. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara would bail on the agreement if it does not receive visa-free travel for Turks in […]

Turkey increases pressure on U.S. to extradite Gulen, leaks general’s testimony

Turkey increases pressure on U.S. to extradite Gulen, leaks general’s testimony

by WorldTribune Staff, July 27, 2016 As Turkey increased pressure on the United States to extradite cleric Fethullah Gulen for engineering the July 15 coup attempt, Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S. would consider the move only if Turkey submits “legitimate evidence” of Gulen’s involvement. “Turkish people are appalled at the U.S.’s insistence […]

U.S. troops ordered to remove Kurdish insignias from uniforms

U.S. troops ordered to remove Kurdish insignias from uniforms

by WorldTribune Staff, May 29, 2016 The Pentagon has ordered U.S. special forces soldiers to stop wearing the insignia patch of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) on their uniforms. Photos of U.S. troops with the insignia patches infuriated Turkey’s increasingly authoritarian president, who views the YPG as a terrorist organization linked to the Kurdish […]

Turkey not cool with U.S. forces wearing Kurdish insignia for Raqqa offensive

Turkey not cool with U.S. forces wearing Kurdish insignia for Raqqa offensive

by WorldTribune Staff, May 27, 2016 It is not acceptable for U.S. soldiers to wear the insignia of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) when embedded with the Kurdish fighters, a Turkish official said. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said photos showing U.S. special operations forces wearing the YPG insignia on their shoulders during operations against […]