Weekend: Protests shake Turkey, Prince William stirs tensions, and Gaza burns again

The Smell of a Coup

The protests that erupted after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu are intensifying, drawing hundreds of thousands of demonstrators to the streets. Clashes with security forces have led to numerous arrests, with reports suggesting that police have used rubber bullets to suppress the unrest. While the government denies such allegations, many protesters have required medical attention, and dozens of police officers have also been injured.

The opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), led by Özgür Özel, has vowed to continue the demonstrations, urging law enforcement to refrain from using excessive force. Although the nationalist Victory Party has chosen not to align with the CHP, the pro-Kurdish DEM Party has openly participated in the protests, adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape.

İmamoğlu has firmly denied all charges against him. On March 21, the day he provided his initial testimony, Özel addressed a crowd in Beylikdüzü, calling on Turkish citizens to take to the streets after iftar. His message was clear: resist, but do so peacefully. However, government officials, including Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç and Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, condemned Özel’s remarks, calling them irresponsible and dangerous. Despite these warnings, Özel’s call to action led to mass demonstrations in major cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

In Istanbul, thousands gathered in Saraçhane, the district housing the mayor’s office. Tensions escalated as security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds, with some protesters attempting to storm the building. The situation deteriorated further when demonstrators shattered windows, turning their demands from İmamoğlu’s release to calls for the resignation of the government.

Similar scenes unfolded in Ankara and Izmir, where police deployed water cannons and tear gas to control crowds. In Izmir, despite a ban on public gatherings, protesters defied restrictions, resulting in violent clashes. In Ankara, students from Middle East Technical University led demonstrations, blocking roads and clashing with police, some even throwing flammable objects. As tensions flared, traffic disruptions and injuries among law enforcement officers were reported.

The unrest extended beyond the capital. In Antalya, students from Akdeniz University faced off with police after attempting to march through the city. Security forces responded with water cannons, making around 30 arrests. By the evening of March 21, over 343 demonstrators had been detained nationwide, spanning cities such as Adana, Çanakkale, Eskişehir, Konya, and Edirne. Estimates suggest that more than 300,000 people are actively participating in the protests—the largest wave of demonstrations in Turkey in a decade.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has condemned the protests, accusing the opposition of exploiting public anger to mask their own corruption. He labeled the demonstrations as an attempt to destabilize Turkey and insisted that his government would not tolerate such acts of “street terrorism.” He emphasized that public unrest threatened national security, calling the protests a "desperate and illegal attempt" to challenge his leadership.

However, Erdoğan’s rhetoric has drawn criticism. His statement that “Turkey was not found on the streets” quickly backfired on social media, where users reminded him that in 2016, it was mass public demonstrations that helped him survive an attempted coup. His words have fueled further debate, with opposition voices arguing that the government is undermining democratic rights by cracking down on dissent.

Events surrounding İmamoğlu are unfolding rapidly. On March 23, he and other detainees were transported to the Çağlayan Courthouse, where thousands of his supporters had already gathered. Meanwhile, protests in Saraçhane continued unabated, with opposition leaders such as Vatan Party chairman Muharrem İnce refusing to leave the scene.

İmamoğlu’s legal battle took a new turn as prosecutors launched dual investigations—one focusing on alleged ties to terrorism, the other on corruption charges. While authorities initially considered arresting him on terrorism-related grounds, they ultimately proceeded with corruption allegations.

Later that day, an Istanbul court officially ruled to detain İmamoğlu as part of a broader corruption probe. According to the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office, the mayor is accused of "establishing and managing a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal information, and falsifying tenders." İmamoğlu has vehemently denied the charges, calling them politically motivated.

Interestingly, while the prosecutor's office cited "strong suspicion" of İmamoğlu's involvement with an armed terrorist organization, it determined that his financial crimes warranted immediate arrest, making additional terrorism-related charges "unnecessary at this stage."

The CHP is holding primary elections today to nominate its candidate for the 2028 presidential race, and İmamoğlu remains the only contender. His arrest has thrown the party into uncharted territory, as his growing popularity had positioned him as the opposition's best hope against Erdoğan. The unfolding events not only shape the future of İmamoğlu but could also redefine the political trajectory of Turkey itself.

For now, the protests continue, and the country watches closely, uncertain of what the next days will bring.

The Return of Genocide to Gaza

The fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel collapsed in January, reigniting hostilities in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces resumed ground operations in central and southern Gaza under the pretext of “expanding the security zone” and “creating a partial buffer zone.” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a state of “full combat readiness,” launching large-scale strikes across the enclave. While the official justification was the destruction of Hamas infrastructure, the attacks resulted in a devastating loss of civilian life.

According to Al Jazeera, Israeli airstrikes on March 19 killed at least 70 Palestinians. However, reports from the Palestinian Ministry of Health later revealed a much higher toll, with 436 deaths, including 183 children, in just a short period. The renewed offensive has not spared humanitarian workers. The United Nations Office for Project Services confirmed that at least one UN-affiliated worker was killed, and five others were critically injured in an Israeli airstrike near Deir al-Balah. The victims, engaged in mine clearance operations, were among the many international personnel caught in the escalating violence.

As the civilian death toll rises, Israel has pointed to the killing of Osama Tabash, a senior Hamas intelligence official, as proof of its military objectives. According to the Israeli army, Tabash, responsible for surveillance and operations in southern Gaza, was a key figure in Hamas's military structure. His death, they claim, will weaken Hamas’s intelligence-gathering capabilities. However, with airstrikes leveling entire neighborhoods, the destruction extends far beyond military targets, leaving thousands of displaced Palestinians without shelter or aid.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has reignited fears of forced displacement. Reports suggest that Israel and the United States have explored options to relocate Palestinians to East African countries. According to the Associated Press, discussions have been held with Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland about accepting refugees from Gaza. However, Sudanese officials have rejected the proposal, while Somali and Somaliland representatives denied receiving any formal requests.

Adding to the controversy, unconfirmed reports suggested that Egypt had agreed to temporarily host up to half a million displaced Palestinians. Cairo, however, swiftly dismissed these claims, reaffirming its opposition to any forced displacement from Gaza. Despite international condemnation, diplomatic efforts to push forward with relocation plans appear to be ongoing.

As diplomatic tensions rise, the first US-Israel Strategic Consultative Group meeting under President Donald Trump’s administration is set to take place next week at the White House. According to Axios, the Israeli delegation will be led by Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi. High-ranking officials from the National Security Council, the military, Mossad, the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, and the Atomic Energy Commission will also be in attendance.

Discussions will cover three key issues: strategic consultations on Iran, the ongoing crisis in Gaza, and negotiations over Israel’s disputed border with Lebanon. The US side is expected to be represented by Trump’s National Security Advisor, alongside officials from the State Department, the Pentagon, and intelligence agencies.

As the violence in Gaza escalates, and the future of its people remains uncertain, the international community watches closely, fearing that the conflict is entering an even more dangerous phase.

Prince "Swarms" to the Russian Border

On Thursday and Friday of the following week, Prince William, the eldest son of King Charles of Great Britain, made a high-profile visit to the Russian border, delivering a serious message. The prince traveled to the British contingent base in Tapa, Estonia, where British forces are stationed as part of NATO operations in Eastern Europe. Dressed in camouflage, the 42-year-old heir to the throne toured the military camp, inspected British equipment, and even drove a Challenger-2 tank. According to the BBC, William’s first visit to Estonia carries significant political weight and serves as a signal to the Kremlin. The timing of his visit is particularly noteworthy, as it comes amid rising defense budgets in Europe and a shift in US policy under President Donald Trump, who has made it clear that he does not intend to prioritize European security.

William’s presence near the Russian border—just 128 kilometers away—has drawn global attention, given the heightened tensions in Eastern Europe. During his two-day visit, the prince met with British soldiers from NATO's multinational force and toured the Tapa military base training grounds. The base is a key part of the UK’s contribution to NATO’s Operation Kabrit, aimed at reinforcing the alliance’s security in the Baltic region. As part of this effort, Britain has deployed around 900 troops to Estonia and Poland. In total, the UK maintains over 2,600 troops and 730 pieces of military equipment on NATO's eastern flank.

Wearing a NATO insignia on his uniform, Prince William observed live-fire drills and interacted with Estonian and French troops. He specifically inquired about the experience of serving so close to Russia and how realistic the training felt compared to previous exercises. He explored various military vehicles, including the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle, the French Griffon combat vehicle, the reactive fire system, the Trojan engineering vehicle, and the Archer mobile artillery system. Despite the cold weather, local Estonians gathered to catch a glimpse of the prince, which analysts interpret as a sign of the Baltic state's reliance on NATO support in the face of Russian threats.

Two Criminal Countries

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry has accused Russia of committing crimes against humanity during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The commission’s report details how Russian forces systematically abducted and tortured Ukrainians in occupied territories. Many civilians were arrested, deported to Russia, and subjected to severe torture, including sexual violence. The commission concluded that these acts were part of a coordinated state policy designed to suppress Ukrainian resistance.

The most brutal forms of torture reportedly took place during interrogations conducted by officers of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Investigative Committee. Testimonies also highlight cases of sexual violence against female detainees. Commission Chairman Eric Mose condemned Moscow’s refusal to provide information on missing persons, leaving thousands of Ukrainian families in a “painful limbo.” According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, nearly 50,000 people have gone missing since the start of the war. British UN Ambassador Simon Manley called the findings “appalling,” while Russia’s mission in Geneva dismissed the report as “politically motivated and biased.” Moscow has consistently denied allegations of torture and war crimes.

Meanwhile, accusations of crimes against humanity have also been directed at Israel. On March 13, independent UN experts published a report detailing Israel’s use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The report describes genocidal practices, including the deliberate destruction of women’s clinics in Gaza and East Jerusalem, which effectively restricted Palestinian reproductive rights. It also notes that Israeli military actions have led to a rise in maternal mortality due to limited access to medical care.

Even more alarming are reports that Israeli forces forced Palestinian detainees to strip in public and subjected them to sexual violence as a “standard punishment” after the October 7 attacks. According to the report, Israeli security forces routinely used forced public undressing, threats of rape, and other forms of sexual assault against Palestinian prisoners. Investigators suggest that such abuses were either directly ordered or tacitly approved by Israeli military leadership.

Putin Prays for Trump

The new US administration continues to justify its reluctance to pressure Vladimir Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine. In July 2024, when Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during his election campaign, Putin publicly prayed for his “friend.” According to Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Putin visited a church, met with a priest, and prayed for Trump—not just as a political leader, but as a personal ally.

Witkoff also revealed that Putin commissioned a well-known Russian artist to paint a portrait of Trump as a gift. "President Putin had a leading Russian artist create a wonderful portrait of President Trump. He gave me the painting and asked me to deliver it personally. I took it home and gave it to the President," Witkoff said. Trump, he added, was “undoubtedly touched” by the gesture.

Witkoff went on to praise Putin’s intelligence, referencing his background in the KGB, which, he noted, accepted only the most capable individuals in the Soviet Union. He also hinted at an upcoming meeting between Putin and Trump, arguing that previous negotiations between the two had been unfairly dismissed as failures.

A major point of discussion in any potential peace talks will be the status of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. According to Witkoff, Trump’s administration does not oppose recognizing Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporozhye, and even Crimea. This stance marks a significant shift in US policy, raising serious concerns about the future of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.