Latest News from Turkey
Turkey Begins Ramadan on February 19, 2026
Turkey has officially announced that Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, following astronomical calculations that determined the crescent moon would not be visible on February 17. The Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs based this decision on precise astronomical computations considering regions sharing similar night conditions across the Islamic world
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Turkish Cost of Living Crisis Deepens Despite Inflation Cooling
Turkey's minimum wage was increased by 27 percent in January 2026 to 28,075 lira monthly, yet economists warn the cost of living crisis continues to worsen. According to Can Selçuki, director of Research Istanbul, Turkish households have been losing purchasing power for three to four years, with people reducing food consumption rather than dining out frequency
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Turkey Launches Ultra-Deepwater Oil Drilling Operations in Somalia
Turkey has begun ultra-deepwater oil drilling in Somalia under a 2024 energy agreement, with the state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) operating in offshore blocks covering roughly 16,000 square kilometers. Turkey's Energy Minister stated that 2026 will be a year of discoveries, though critics argue the agreement is lopsided, allowing Turkey to recover up to 90 percent of operational costs before sharing profits with Somalia
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Somalia Oil Deal Criticized as Potentially Illegal and Non-Transparent
The Turkey-Somalia 2024 energy agreement has faced heavy scrutiny for potentially violating Somali law and compromising Somalia's economic sovereignty, with Somalia entitled to only 5 percent in royalties under the terms. However, proponents argue Turkey's willingness to operate in high-risk areas makes them a viable partner for monetizing Somalia's estimated 30 billion barrels of offshore potential
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Turkey's Economic Measures Show Mixed Results with Cooling Inflation
Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek's tight monetary policy and fiscal discipline have reduced inflation to its lowest level since 2021, with rent inflation dropping to a 34-month low. The Turkish Central Bank's total reserves have doubled since the program's implementation, though concerns remain about whether these gains can be sustained with elections scheduled for 2028
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Turkish Police Chief Accused of Overseeing Torture Protected by Government
A Turkish police chief who allegedly oversaw torture has reportedly been protected by the Erdogan government amid a broader crackdown on critics, according to documented cases of abuse. The case involves torture victims from the post-2016 coup period, including beatings, sexual abuse threats, and humiliation of detainees in police custody
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Gülen Movement Victims Continue Facing Persecution and Asset Seizures
Members of the Gülen movement, critical of Erdogan's government, have endured a sweeping crackdown resulting in the closure of over a thousand schools, seizure of tens of billions of dollars in assets, and fabricated criminal proceedings against nearly a million people over the past decade. The government falsely branded the movement as terrorist despite its half-century of non-violence and focus on science education and interfaith dialogue
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Turkish Industrial Production Declines Year-Over-Year
Turkey's industrial production fell 2.1 percent year-over-year as of mid-February 2026, though month-over-month production grew by 1.2 percent, indicating short-term recovery in manufacturing activity. Auto production also declined 2.0 percent year-over-year during the same period
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Turkey's Trade Deficit Widens Amid Economic Pressures
Turkey's trade deficit reached -9.3 billion dollars as of late February 2026, with exports at 26.4 billion and imports at 35.7 billion, reflecting ongoing structural economic challenges. The deficit widening suggests continued pressure on Turkey's external accounts despite inflation stabilization efforts
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Banking Sector Workers Plan Strike in Solidarity with ATM Workers
Turkish banking workers announced a strike scheduled for February 18, 2026, in solidarity with ATM workers over concerns about absent structured wage negotiation platforms. The strike reflects broader labor disputes regarding remuneration and workplace conditions in Turkey's financial sector
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Turkish Unemployment Rate Shows Improvement to 7.7 Percent
Turkey's unemployment rate improved to 7.7 percent as of late February 2026, down from the previous 8.6 percent, indicating marginal job market gains despite economic challenges. The labor force participation rate stood at 53.2 percent, slightly below the previous 53.9 percent
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Economic Confidence Remains Subdued Ahead of 2028 Elections
Turkey's economic confidence index declined to 99.4 from 99.9, reflecting public skepticism about economic management despite inflation reductions. Opinion polls indicate voters across the political spectrum, including AKP supporters, view the country's economic policies negatively and hoped for higher wage increases
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