August 2026

Turkey's 'Terror-Free Turkey' initiative advanced as the Monitoring and Evaluation Board held its first meeting, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the presidential complex. The board, tasked with overseeing the PKK's disarmament, decided to establish four subcommissions to handle different aspects of the process.

The United States has announced a new, comprehensive sanctions package targeting Iran, described by some outlets as an 'economic exclusion operation' and an 'economic war'. Washington is targeting countries and companies that trade with Tehran, with reports indicating that each country has been given a deadline to comply.

The ECtHR ruled that Kavala should be released, according to Turkish media reports. The Turkish government, however, reacted harshly, with Ankara describing the ruling as a 'political project'.

In the same case, Adana Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar received a six-year and three-month prison sentence. The court also acquitted Aziz İhsan Aktaş of the charge of founding a criminal organization, although he received a separate two-year and eight-month sentence.

Turkey's central bank has resumed weekly repo auctions, a move described as an implicit rate cut that brings the effective policy rate down to 37%. The decision has been interpreted as a signal of monetary easing, with analysts questioning the timing of the shift.

Turkish Justice Minister Gürlek announced that authorities have seized all assets of 818 suspects across all 81 provinces as part of a financial investigation into four organized crime groups. The operation targeted groups described as 'new generation' criminal organizations, including the Daltonlar, Gündoğmuşlar, Şapkalılar, and Barış Boyun groups.

In response, Iran has issued an ultimatum to the United States, demanding the lifting of the blockade or warning that the war will expand. This comes amid ongoing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained closed for six days after the US Treasury Secretary signaled a deal.

In the second hearing of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) case, the court did not allow Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu to present his defense, a request that was rejected. The first day of the second hearing saw statements taken from defendants who are not in custody.

Yemen's Houthi forces attacked a Saudi Arabian landing ship and struck two cities in Yemen with ballistic missiles, according to Turkish media reports. The Yemeni government said the Houthis launched five ballistic missiles at the Bab el-Mandeb region.

Asuman Şen, the AK Party candidate, won the Menderes municipal deputy mayoral election, giving the AKP control of the municipality in İzmir. The vote followed the arrest of Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek as part of a corruption investigation, and the CHP referred him to its disciplinary board with a request for expulsion.

The Turkish Grand National Assembly approved the 'Milli Dayanışma ve Toplumsal Bütünleşmenin Güçlendirilmesine Dair Kanun Teklifi' (Law Proposal on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration), commonly referred to as the 'Çerçeve Yasa' (Framework Law) or 'Terörsüz Türkiye Yasası' (Terror-Free Turkey Law). The bill passed with a record vote in the General Assembly, according to NTV Haber.

US President Donald Trump responded to Iran's demand for war compensation by saying the United States also wants compensation from Iran for people Iran has killed over the past 50 years. Trump stated, "We will ask for compensation for those they killed in the last 50 years."

Serkan Kurtuluş, leader of an organized crime syndicate and wanted under a red notice, was brought to Turkey despite all obstacles. He was captured in Argentina and flown to Istanbul.

Republican People's Party (CHP) lawmaker Ahmet Baran Yazgan was assaulted at a birthday gathering after being accused of sexual harassment. Three suspects were detained in connection with the attack.

Turkish police raided the Süleymancılar community's center in Ümraniye, Istanbul, as part of an operation targeting the group. The leader, Alihan Kuriş, was captured in a hidden compartment during the raid, according to multiple Turkish news outlets.

The 'Terror-Free Turkey' law proposal, also referred to as the 'framework law', was approved by the Justice Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) after an 18-hour session marked by heated debates among lawmakers.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said regarding the Mecca Agreement: 'No country that does not attack us is our target.'

Iran-backed Houthis announced they struck an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia, according to Milliyet (pro-government) and Sözcü (oppositional).

The Turkish Parliament passed a law concerning children drawn into crime, as reported by multiple outlets including TRT Haber, NTV Haber, Diken, and others.

Turkish media reported that a gasoline price increase is expected, with the new price to be reflected at the pump on Monday at midnight.