Current news in turkey 2016
Here are some of the major news stories in Turkey in 2016:
Coup Attempt and State of Emergency
- July 15, 2016: A military coup attempt was launched against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The coup was led by a group of rogue military officers who seized key locations in Ankara and Istanbul, including the Bosphorus Bridge and the Istanbul Atatürk Airport. The government responded with force, and the coup was eventually put down after a night of intense fighting. Over 240 people were killed, and more than 2,000 were injured.
- July 20, 2016: The Turkish government declared a state of emergency, giving it the power to bypass normal legal procedures and impose curfews, restrict travel, and detain individuals without charge.
Erdogan's Crackdown on Opposition
- Following the coup attempt, Erdogan launched a massive crackdown on opposition figures, including politicians, journalists, and military officers. Thousands of people were arrested, and many were fired from their jobs or had their passports revoked.
- The government also shut down over 100 media outlets, including newspapers, television stations, and radio stations, which were accused of supporting the coup.
Refugee Crisis and Border Control
- 2016 saw a significant increase in the number of refugees and migrants arriving in Turkey from Syria, Iraq, and other conflict zones. The government responded by building a wall along the border with Syria and increasing border controls.
- In March 2016, Turkey and the European Union reached an agreement to stem the flow of migrants to Europe in exchange for financial aid and other benefits.
Economic Crisis
- Turkey's economy was hit by a series of crises in 2016, including a currency crisis, a credit crisis, and a decline in tourism. The lira, the Turkish currency, lost significant value against the US dollar, and the country's credit rating was downgraded by major rating agencies.
Kurdish Conflict
- The conflict between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) continued to escalate in 2016, with both sides launching attacks on each other. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries since it began in the 1980s.
Other News
- In January 2016, a suicide bombing at a tourist resort in Istanbul killed 11 people and injured many more.
- In March 2016, a car bomb exploded outside a military base in Ankara, killing 28 people and injuring many more.
- In August 2016, a massive wildfire swept through the coastal region of Antalya, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
These are just a few of the major news stories in Turkey in 2016. It was a tumultuous year for the country, marked by political instability, economic crisis, and conflict.