TURKEY

Co-Mayors of Diyarbakir Gültan Kışanak and Fırat Anlı have been arrested by the court on duty. Former BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) MP Aylin Akat Ata, who protested the detention of co-mayors, is also arrested.

With the most recent emergency decrees, 10,158 civil servants and 1267 academics have been sacked, rectoral elections are abolished and 15 media organs including DİHA and Azadiya Welat are shut down

Mosul and the National Pact(Misak-ı Milli) became a topic of discussion once again. Recently, President Erdoğan said, “Mosul was ours. Read some history. Some people got disturbed because I mentioned the National Pact. Why do you feel disturbed by my history lessons? We are patriotic, that is why.” This statement made the issue a current debate once again. Prof. Dr. Baskın Oran from Ankara University Political Science Department is one of the most knowledgeable scholars concerning Mosul and the National Pact. We spoke to Oran about the course of these two issues throughout the history of republic and their reflections to the present day.

“Aghet” concert in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, which was planned to be performed in Istanbul, is canceled by German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Diyarbakir Municipality released a statement on the police raid. It is stated that the state should respect the will of people and the co-mayors should be released immediately.

HDP (Peoples' Democratic Party) and DBP (Democratic Regions Party) urged people to stage protests in Istanbul and Diyarbakir at 11.00 am against the detention of co-mayors of Diyarbakir. The governor's offices banned the protests.

Prof. Dr. Niyazi Kızılyürek is an internationally acknowledged expert on the Cyprus question and currently works in University of Cyprus. Kızılyürek is also known for his activism on the both sides of the island, his contributions to the efforts of confrontation and struggle for peace and reconciliation. We talked to Niyazi Kızılyürek about the recent situation in Cyprus, by way of his new book (“A History of Resentment and Violence: Fight for Status and Ethnic Conflict in Cyprus”) published in Turkey.

Dresden Symphony Orchestra will perform “Aghet”, which is composed on the occasion of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, in Turkish Embassy to Germany on November 13. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is invited to the concert.

According to the statement of Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Işık, Turkey and coalition forces have agreed on Turkey's participation in Mosul operation with its aerial equipment.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi spoke about Turkey: "We warn them not to dare to violate Iraq's sovereignty."