Türkiye's Erdogan to Visit Algeria to Boost Economic Relations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan receives President Tebboune during his recent visit to Turkiye. (file photo: Algerian Presidency)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan receives President Tebboune during his recent visit to Turkiye. (file photo: Algerian Presidency)
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Türkiye's Erdogan to Visit Algeria to Boost Economic Relations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan receives President Tebboune during his recent visit to Turkiye. (file photo: Algerian Presidency)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan receives President Tebboune during his recent visit to Turkiye. (file photo: Algerian Presidency)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Algeria on Tuesday at the invitation of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Talks between the leaders will focus on boosting relations in all fields, significantly strengthening economic ties.

According to Turkish sources, they will focus on boosting bilateral ties and address regional and international issues, notably the Israeli war on Gaza.

Turkish-Algerian ties have witnessed remarkable development at all levels in recent years and increased momentum after President Abdelmadjid Tebboune took power in 2019.

After assuming the presidency, Tebboune made his first visit to Türkiye in May 2022, 17 years after the last visit made by late President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Tebboune made a second visit in July.

Erdogan had last visited Algeria in January 2020.

During his visit, officials signed a joint declaration on establishing the Türkiye-Algeria High-Level Cooperation Council.

The countries had signed the "Friendship and Cooperation Agreement" in 2006 to improve their relations.

Erdogan and Tebboune met again on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2022.

Türkiye and Algeria maintain full coordination in resolving Palestinian and regional issues.

Earlier this month, Erdogan said he attaches great importance to his visit to Algeria, saying it has clear positions and significant influence in Africa.

On Monday, Turkish media quoted Türkiye's ambassador to Algeria, Mucahit Kucukyilmaz, as saying that many steps need to be taken between Ankara and Algiers, amid the high potential of both nations, especially in the economic fields.

Turkish investments in Algeria topped $6 billion, and trade volume between them reached $5.3 billion in 2022, said the ambassador, expecting it to exceed $6 billion this year.

The two countries' leadership plans to increase trade volume to over $10 billion.

Over ten agreements are on Erdogan’s agenda in Algeria. They cover economic and cultural affairs, including opening a branch of the "Turkish Agricultural Bank," al-Maarif School, and the Yunus Emre Institute in Algeria.



Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
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Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)

Israeli drones are now being used for more than just tracking and targeting fighters in southern Lebanon. They’re also setting fires to forests, intimidating residents, and stopping cars at night to broadcast messages through loudspeakers.

Recent reports and social media videos show these new uses. In one troubling incident, an Israeli drone blocked a civilian in his car in the border town of Khallwat in the Hasbaya district, holding him for several minutes.

Local TV channel Al-Jadeed reported that an Israeli drone briefly held a civilian in his car and shone bright lights on him. The man was able to leave safely.

Other reports say the drone stopped the man early in the morning on his way home, using strong green lights that caused him pain.

The type of light used by the Israeli drone is not clear, but experts believe it’s not a laser.

Instead, it was likely a spotlight used to help the drone’s camera scan the driver’s face and collect information. This process involves a camera that captures the image and sends it to a computer where AI can identify the person quickly.

Experts tell Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s advanced technology means the bright light could be used for intimidation, to confirm the person’s identity, or to analyze body shape data.

They agree that the situation is concerning.

In another incident, a new video showed an Israeli drone dropping burning materials on forests near borders in Lebanon’s town of Adaisseh. The footage shows the drone releasing the substance, which started a fire.

Israeli drones with loudspeakers have been also flying over border villages, warning residents and broadcasting messages. Locals say the drones not only relay army statements but also insult Hezbollah and incite against the group.

This has been happening in multiple villages over the past month.

Moreover, Israeli warplanes have been striking the outskirts of Zibkin, Naqoura, and Wadi Hamoul, causing severe damage to property, crops, and forests.

The Israeli military also shelled the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab and hit areas around Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab with artillery fire.