AGP Executive Report

Regional Security: Turkey joined Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in condemning Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport. Sunday’s fresh strike killed one person, following a deadly attack the day before; Ankara has said it is weighing defensive support for Saudi Arabia but will not take an offensive role in Yemen. Road Safety: A bus-truck crash in Manisa province killed 11 people and injured 27, the governor’s office said. Digital Policy: A law barring children under 15 from social media takes effect November 1, requiring platforms to verify users’ ages. Climate: At COP31 in Turkey next month, the EU will push for an emissions-cutting package and stronger action to turn climate pledges into results. Rights and Politics: The EU says Turkey’s rights record is widening the gap to membership, as two journalists are jailed over reporting on a fund scandal. Football: Galatasaray host Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Victor Osimhen expected to lead the Istanbul side’s attack.

Regional Security: Türkiye joined Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in condemning the deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh airport. Ankara has ruled out sending troops for offensive operations, while weighing defensive support for the kingdom. Disasters: A bus crash in western Türkiye killed 11 people and injured 27. An Istanbul building collapse killed five, with rescue efforts underway. Children Online: New rules banning social media access for under-15s take effect November 1. Platforms must verify ages, while accounts for 15- to 17-year-olds face privacy and safety limits. Political Pressure: A widening investment-fund scandal has prompted investigations and the freezing of assets linked to 214 people and firms; journalists have been detained over coverage. Diplomacy: Turkish and Syrian officials held high-level talks in Ankara on security and regional issues as contacts between the two countries deepen.

Peace Process: MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli says Türkiye’s anti-terror initiative cannot be reversed and urges authorities to establish its planned institutions. He again backed a coordinating role for jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. Online Rules: New regulations barring children under 15 from social media take effect Nov. 1. Platforms must verify users’ ages and provide safeguards for older teens. Public Safety: Five people died and nine were rescued after a seven-storey building partly collapsed in Istanbul’s Maltepe district; six survivors remain hospitalized. Rights and Politics: Journalists have been detained or placed under house arrest over reporting on a troubled investment fund, as the EU says Türkiye’s rights crackdown is widening the gap with membership. Football: Victor Osimhen returned from injury with an assist in Galatasaray’s 3-1 win over Kasımpaşa and is expected to face Barcelona in Tuesday’s Champions League match.

Children Online: Türkiye’s new law bars under-15s from social media from Nov. 1, requiring age checks and child-safety measures from platforms. Media Freedom: Two journalists were jailed and two placed under house arrest over reporting tied to a fund scandal, as the EU warned that rights concerns are widening the gap with membership. Regional Security: Ankara ruled out sending troops for offensive operations against Yemen’s Houthis, while weighing defensive support for Saudi Arabia after attacks on airports. Defence Technology: ASELSAN demonstrated its GÖKALP interceptor, which destroyed a target drone in a live test. Connectivity: Türkiye opened a railway link toward Bulgaria, strengthening connections with Europe and Central Asia. Football: Türkiye dismissed coach Vincenzo Montella after a run of Nations League defeats; meanwhile, Galatasaray beat Kasımpaşa 3-1 as Victor Osimhen returned from injury with an assist.

Saudi Defense Pact: Hakan Fidan says Türkiye’s pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is defensive, not a license for offensive deployments; Ankara is preparing to submit it to parliament as Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport leave three dead and disrupt flights. Digital Rules: New regulations bar social media platforms from serving children under 15 and require age checks that protect personal data. Fund Scandal: Investigators say 214 people and firms made about $3.8 billion from troubled funds. Two journalists have been detained, while the ruling bloc has blocked opposition efforts to investigate the affair. Rights and EU Ties: The EU says Türkiye’s rights crackdown is widening the gap with membership; a Council of Europe body has reported beatings, electric shocks and isolation in detention facilities. Football: Türkiye has parted ways with coach Vincenzo Montella after a World Cup exit and four straight competitive defeats.

Black Sea Security: Türkiye proposed separate civilian shipping corridors to Russia and Ukraine after attacks on merchant vessels, but neither side has clearly accepted the plan. Istanbul Disaster: The death toll from a building collapse rose to five, with two people arrested. Regional Diplomacy: Ankara says it is considering defensive support for Saudi Arabia under the Türkiye-Saudi-Pakistan pact, while ruling out an offensive role against Yemen’s Houthis. Turkish officials also met Syria’s foreign minister to discuss security, including integration of the SDF. Rights and Markets: The EU warned that Türkiye’s pressure on media, local democracy and LGBTQ+ rights is widening the gap with membership. A troubled investment-fund scandal has also drawn scrutiny, with 214 people and firms reported to have made about $3.8 billion. Transport: Erdoğan opened a key section of the high-speed railway to Bulgaria, promising faster passenger journeys and expanded capacity. Football: The federation parted ways with coach Vincenzo Montella after Türkiye’s World Cup exit and four straight Nations League defeats.

Saudi Defence Pact: Ankara says it will not send troops to fight the Houthis in Yemen, but is weighing defensive support for Saudi Arabia under the Makkah agreement, which Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says will go to parliament. The debate has intensified after Houthi missile attacks disrupted Riyadh airport. US Sanctions: Washington targeted a Turkish petrochemical company and its director over alleged trade in Iranian products, as part of a wider sanctions action. Domestic Politics: İzmir’s opposition mayor defected to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s AK Party, prompting protests in the city. Peace Process: The PKK says it has withdrawn fighters from Turkey but accuses Ankara of failing to advance peace efforts. Cyprus Tensions: Turkey’s defence minister criticised the Republic of Cyprus over its military cooperation with other countries, while leaders on the island prepare for another round of talks.

Saudi Defense Pact: Ankara says it is weighing air-defense support for Saudi Arabia under the pact with Riyadh and Islamabad, but Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan ruled out sending troops to launch attacks in Yemen. The agreement still needs parliamentary approval. Political Turmoil: İzmir’s opposition mayor defected to President Erdoğan’s ruling party, triggering protests in the city and renewed concern over pressure on opposition-led municipalities. Fund Scandal: The government is drafting legislation to protect investors caught in the troubled-funds crisis, as probes widen and officials face questions over alleged withdrawals and financial dealings. Black Sea Security: Drone attacks sank Turkish-operated vessels near Romania and Bulgaria, killing crew members and raising fears of growing risks to shipping in the region. Press Freedom: Journalist groups are urging X to resist Turkish requests to block accounts, while a reporter has been jailed over allegedly possessing classified files.

Saudi Escalation: Houthi attacks on Saudi airports killed three and wounded 36, prompting Saudi strikes on Houthi targets. Ankara says its support under the Saudi-Pakistani Mecca pact is limited to technical and defensive assistance. Black Sea Security: Erdoğan and Putin discussed safe navigation as drone attacks sank a Turkish-operated cargo ship off Bulgaria, leaving its crew missing; another Turkish-linked vessel was hit. Domestic Politics: İzmir’s mayor joined Erdoğan’s ruling AKP, a major gain for the party in an opposition stronghold. Separately, Turkish authorities detained 17 people in an Istanbul municipal bribery probe and widened corruption investigations targeting local governments. Press Freedom: Rights groups are urging X to resist Turkish requests to block accounts after authorities restricted access to dozens of accounts; a European court also found Turkey violated a journalist’s rights over reporting on Libya. Energy: Solar and wind supplied a record 60% of Türkiye’s electricity in August, as the country prepares to host COP31 in November.

İzmir Politics: Mayor Cemil Tugay has joined President Erdoğan’s AKP, handing the ruling party a symbolic win in a city it has never won at the polls. The opposition still controls the city council. Black Sea Security: Drone attacks sank a ship and damaged another in Bulgaria’s waters, amid growing concern over risks to commercial shipping. Türkiye is among the countries asked to help investigate; Erdoğan and Putin also discussed Black Sea safety. Saudi Support: Türkiye is preparing technical and defensive assistance for Saudi Arabia, including equipment and intelligence-sharing, but officials say no Turkish forces have been deployed under the new pact so far. Investors: Payments are set to begin for investors in 17 funds under liquidation, with authorities saying repayments will come from fund assets, not public money. Istanbul: A school stabbing left one student dead and seven injured.

Space & Industry: Turkey says its first homegrown Moon spacecraft will launch in 2027, with testing underway and a mission focused on solar wind, water formation and lunar radiation. Regional Security: Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia move to activate the “Mecca pact” for rapid deployment and air defence as Yemen’s Houthis escalate attacks, including on Saudi infrastructure. Black Sea Shipping: EU chief von der Leyen calls Black Sea attacks on commercial vessels “unacceptable” after ships were hit in Bulgaria’s zone and a Turkish-owned vessel was sunk off Romania. Domestic Safety: Istanbul’s Basaksehir school stabbing leaves one student dead and others injured, with police and officials responding. EU-Turkey Talks: The European Commission proposes gradual, conditional single-market integration for candidate countries, with Türkiye still stuck in accession talks since 2016. Health & Environment: A study finds cigarette brands sold in Türkiye emit up to 51% more fine particles than matching German versions. Culture & Tourism: Midyat’s 3,000-year-old telkari (silver filigree) tradition draws more visitors after gaining geographical indication status.

School Violence in Istanbul: A teenage girl stabbed students at a middle school in Başakşehir; one student died and seven were wounded, with police detaining the attacker and prosecutors starting a case. Inflation Watch: Turkey’s annual inflation slowed to 29.7% in September as demand cooled and liquidity tightened after fund redemptions; markets now expect a possible central bank rate cut. Fund Turmoil Update: The central bank says most money from liquidated investment funds has shifted into bank deposits, while regulators continue investigations and arrests tied to the fund crisis. Mecca Defense Pact: Turkey and Pakistan agreed to rapidly deploy forces to Saudi Arabia as the kingdom faces Houthi attacks, marking the pact’s first operational activation. Black Sea Shipping Attacks: Drones hit two merchant ships near Bulgaria; one sank and its crew is missing, while the other’s crew was rescued, including Turkish nationals. Diplomacy: Canadian PM Mark Carney will visit Ankara and Istanbul later this month to boost trade, energy, mining, climate and defense ties. Olympics 2036: The IOC confirmed Turkey among seven countries bidding to host the 2036 Games.

Mecca Defense Pact: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan agreed in Riyadh to move immediately toward practical implementation of their collective-defense commitments, including rapid deployment of agreed forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia amid escalating Houthi attacks. Yemen Front: Yemen’s Saudi-backed government forces said they reclaimed Dhubab district positions near Bab al-Mandeb and launched a “strategic offensive” with coalition air cover, while Houthis reported retaliatory strikes on Saudi infrastructure. Tourism Regulation: Türkiye’s parliamentary committee will debate Oct. 6 rules for foreign booking platforms, including a Culture and Tourism Ministry permit, a local representative, license verification, and a 17% fee cap (excluding VAT). Defense Industry: Aselsan announced €2.46bn in contracts for hybrid air defense systems, highlighting continued mass production for the Steel Dome network. Black Sea Incident: Romanian authorities said a Turkish-linked cargo vessel sank after a fire, with two sailors killed, as Ukraine blamed Russian drones. Economy & Trade: Türkiye reported foreign trade transactions in Turkish lira reached 1.2tn lira in Jan–Sep, up 13% year on year. Aviation Trend: A study says German travelers increasingly route via Istanbul and Gulf hubs instead of Frankfurt/Munich. Sports: France beat Belgium 4-1 in Nations League as Olise scored twice; Italy beat Turkey 3-1.

Space & Diplomacy: President Erdoğan opened the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, saying Türkiye won’t back down on space ambitions and has finished integration work on its lunar spacecraft, while also meeting SpaceX executives. Regional Security: NATO is preparing a strategy to counter a potential Russian attack, with a “theory of victory” expected to be outlined next week. Eastern Mediterranean Tensions: Greece says it will not seek Turkish permission for seabed surveys tied to the Cyprus-Crete Great Sea Interconnector, as Ankara warns it will block activity in waters it claims. Economy & Markets: Türkiye’s BIST 100 rose 1.4% to close, while Halkbank is pushing ahead with a public share offering despite the country’s fund crisis. Tech & Business: Turkcell CEO Dr. Ali Taha Koc was elected to the GSMA Board for 2027–2028. Sports: Real Madrid agreed to extend Türkiye midfielder Arda Güler’s contract to 2031; meanwhile Italy vs Turkey Nations League line-ups were published ahead of the match.

Makkah Defence Pact: Turkey is set to join Saudi Arabia and Pakistan for the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement committee meeting in Riyadh, with officials expected to review regional security as Yemen’s conflict with the Houthis escalates. Space Cooperation: Antalya hosted the Antalya Declaration, backed by 21 countries, calling for peaceful and sustainable space use; Türkiye says it’s pushing a space technopark and aims for a lunar mission in early 2027. Gaza & Turkish NGO: Israel says it killed a Hamas-linked figure tied to the Turkish NGO Deniz Feneri, as four Palestinians were reported killed in separate strikes despite a ceasefire. Turkey’s Fund Scandal: Turkey’s investment fund crisis has widened into Erdoğan’s political circle, with authorities intervening in 131 funds and investigating hundreds over alleged manipulation and fraud. Counterterror Raids: Turkish forces arrested 51 suspected ISIS members across 16 provinces, targeting financing networks and propaganda. LGBTQ+ Rights: A German bishop urged protection for LGBTQ+ people in Turkey after reports of arrests, warning that fear undermines society.

Mecca Pact Talks: Turkey will send Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and top military officials to a Mecca Defence Pact committee meeting in Riyadh on Monday, as the alliance weighs regional security and the Houthis’ latest moves. Defense Industry Push: President Erdoğan used Teknofest to tout a “revolution” in Turkey’s defence and aviation sector, citing rising exports and domestic production capacity. Noah’s Ark Scan: New claims from a US-linked subsurface radar study at Turkey’s Durupınar site say “underground corridors” and chambers were detected, reigniting debate over whether the location could be linked to Noah’s Ark. Regional Earthquake Watch: Three earthquakes hit southern Turkey, including a 5.2 quake in Adana; authorities report no serious damage so far. Iraq Oil Route Shift: Iraq’s state oil company reportedly moved crude exports beyond the Strait of Hormuz for the first time in decades, as US-Iran tensions disrupt the main route. Sports (Turkey vs Italy): Italy coach Roberto Mancini said Moise Kean will miss the Nations League match against Turkey, with squad changes expected.