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)
TT

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.



Iraq's Population Reaches 45.4 Million in First Census in over 30 Years

Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)
Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)
TT

Iraq's Population Reaches 45.4 Million in First Census in over 30 Years

Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)
Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)

Iraq's population has risen to 45.4 million, according to preliminary results from a national census, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said on Monday.
The census, conducted on Nov. 20, was Iraq's first nationwide survey in more than three decades, marking a crucial step for future planning and development.
Prior to the census, the planning ministry estimated the population at 43 million.
The last census, conducted in 1997, did not include the Iraqi Kurdistan region, which has been under Kurdish administration since the 1991 Gulf War.
It counted 19 million Iraqis and officials estimated there were another 3 million in the Kurdish north, according to official statistics.