Ankara deepens its eastern Mediterranean and Syrian reach as the CHP's leadership duel heads to a June 2 showdown
Turkey's defence ministry brought 501 personnel from both of Libya's rival armies into its Efes 2026 exercises for the first time, in a drive to secure parliamentary ratification of the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum opposed by Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel. Turkish and Syrian intelligence detained 10 ISIL suspects in a joint operation in Syria. CHP's appeals-court-appointed interim chair Kemal Kilicdaroglu and elected group chair Ozgur Ozel will face off for the first time at the party's June 2 parliamentary group meeting.
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Turkey brings both Libyan rival armies into Efes 2026 in pivot to enforce 2019 Mediterranean economic-zone deal
Turkey for the first time hosted 501 personnel from both of Libya's rival armies -- the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and Khalifa Haftar's Benghazi-based Government of National Stability -- at its Efes 2026 international military exercises, the Turkish defence ministry said. Analysts cited by France 24 frame the joint drills as a pivot by Ankara toward the east, intended to secure Haftar's parliamentary ratification of the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum that creates a joint exclusive economic zone over energy-rich waters opposed by Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel. The ministry said it intends to hold further joint exercises with both Libyan armies.
CHP leadership crisis: Kilicdaroglu and Ozel set for first confrontation at parliamentary group meeting on June 2
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, appointed interim CHP chairman by an appeals court ruling, and Ozgur Ozel, elected group chairman by 95 of 96 attending lawmakers, will face off for the first time at the party's parliamentary group meeting on June 2. Ozel, who retains control of party headquarters, secured written support from 15 additional deputies, claiming backing from 110 lawmakers. The confrontation centers on who has the right to speak at the meeting, with Ozel asserting his right as group chairman and Kilicdaroglu's allies citing past precedent.
Turkish and Syrian intelligence detain 10 ISIL suspects in joint Syria operation
Turkish and Syrian intelligence services arrested 10 individuals suspected of ISIL (Daesh) ties in a joint operation in Syria, security sources said on May 23. The suspects, wanted under Interpol Red Notices, were brought to Türkiye and include a figure linked to the 2015 Ankara train station bombing that killed 109 people. Nine of the detainees were arrested by a Turkish court after questioning, while one remained in custody with procedures ongoing.