Türkiye Likely to Extend Naval Mission in Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Somali Waters

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkish presidency)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkish presidency)
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Türkiye Likely to Extend Naval Mission in Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Somali Waters

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkish presidency)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkish presidency)

The Turkish presidency has sent a decree to the Turkish Parliament to extend for another year the mission of its naval forces deployed to the Gulf of Aden, Somali territorial waters and the Arabian Sea.

The presidential decree, received by Parliament on Monday, stated that the Turkish naval forces operating in the three mentioned areas since February 10, 2009, have taken effective measures to ensure the security of Turkish-flagged and Türkiye-related commercial ships navigating in the region.

It also noted that the Turkish naval forces have participated in joint operations against maritime piracy, armed robbery, and terrorism at sea, conducted by the international community.

The decree requested the extension of the forces’ mission for another year to continue to fulfill assigned tasks in line with relevant Security Council resolutions and contribute to the international community’s operations against terrorism in the seas outside the territorial waters of the region.

The mission of the Turkish naval forces has so far been extended for 13 one-year terms.

On Tuesday, the Turkish Parliament will resume its sessions after a break that began following discussions of the country's budget law on December 26.

Therefore, the presidential decree on the extension of the Turkish naval mission is expected to be listed on Parliament’s agenda this week. During the sessions, deputies will also vote on several international agreements and draft laws.



Axios: Israel Moving towards a Ceasefire Deal in Lebanon

Part of the destruction caused by the Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut yesterday (Reuters)
Part of the destruction caused by the Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut yesterday (Reuters)
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Axios: Israel Moving towards a Ceasefire Deal in Lebanon

Part of the destruction caused by the Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut yesterday (Reuters)
Part of the destruction caused by the Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut yesterday (Reuters)

Israel is moving towards a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon with the Hezbollah militant group, Axios reporter Barak Ravid posted on X on Sunday, citing a senior Israeli official.
A separate report from Israel's public broadcaster Kan, citing an Israeli official, said there was no green light given on an agreement in Lebanon, with issues still yet to be resolved.
A US mediator travelled to Lebanon and Israel this week in an effort to secure a ceasefire. The envoy, Amos Hochstein, indicated progress had been made after meetings in Beirut, before going to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz.
Israel went on the offensive against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in September, pounding the south, the Bekaa Valley and Beirut's southern suburbs with airstrikes after nearly a year of hostilities ignited by the Gaza war.