2026 in Turkey
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| See also: | List of years in Turkey | ||||
Incumbents
[edit]| Office | Image | Name | Tenure / Current length |
|---|---|---|---|
| President |  |
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan | 28 August 2014 |
| Vice President of Turkey | .jpg) |
Cevdet Yılmaz | 4 June 2023 |
| 30th Speaker of the Grand National Assembly | _(cropped).jpg) |
Numan Kurtulmuş | 27 June 2023 |
| President of the Constitutional Court | Zühtü Arslan | 10 February 2015 | |
| Minister of National Defense | .jpg) |
Yaşar Güler | 4 June 2023 |
| Chief of the Turkish General Staff | .jpg) |
Metin Gürak | 3 August 2023 |
Events
[edit]Ongoing
[edit]January
[edit]- 13 January – A judge is shot and injured by her former partner, a public prosecutor, inside a courthouse in Kartal, Istanbul. The gunman is arrested.[1]
- 21 January – Zeynep Sönmez becomes the first Turkish tennis player to reach the third round in singles at the Australian Open tennis tournament.[2]
- 22 January – Authorities announce the discovery in Istanbul of the body of a Russian swimmer who disappeared while competing in the 2025 Bosphorus Cross Continental Swim in August.[3]
- 27 January – Authorities announce the arrest of six people across five provinces on suspicion of spying for Iran.[4]
- 29 January – The Turkish Football Federation issues a fine of 802,500 lira ($18,500) on Diyarbakır-based club Amed S.F.K. and suspends its president, Nahit Eren, on charges of "making ideological propaganda" after the club uploads a video of a woman having her hair braided amid similar acts by Kurds in protests against the 2026 northeastern Syria offensive.[5]
February
[edit]- 1 February – A bus falls off a highway embankment in Döşemealtı, Antalya Province, killing nine people and injuring 21 others.[6]
- 10 February – The Beşiktaş district government in Istanbul bans scheduled concerts by rock bands Slaughter to Prevail and Behemoth following accusations of satanism by Islamist groups.[7]
- 11 February – A brawl breaks out in the Grand National Assembly over the appointment of Akın Gürlek as justice minister.[8]
- 19 February – Journalist Alican Uludag is arrested in Ankara on charges of insulting president Erdoğan on social media.[9]
- 20 February – Turkey and Saudi Arabia sign an agreement to strengthen bilateral investments in the solar energy sector.[10]
- 25 February – An F-16 fighter jet of the Turkish Air Force crashes shortly after takeoff near a section of Otoyol 5 in Balıkesir, killing the pilot.[11]
March
[edit]- 2 March – The Çekmeköy school stabbing occurs, where a 17-year-old student stabbed two teachers and another student.[12]
- 4 March – An Iranian ballistic missile is intercepted by NATO air defenses over Hatay Province.[13]
- 9 March –
- A boat carrying migrants collides with a Turkish Coast Guard vessel off Demre, Antalya Province, killing 14 passengers.[14]
- Turkey and NATO forces shoot down an Iranian ballistic missile violating Turkish airspace over Gaziantep Province.[15]
- The United States reaches a deferred prosecution agreement with Turkey's state-owned lender Halkbank to resolve criminal charges alleging that the bank helped Iran evade U.S. sanctions. Under the agreement, Halkbank must implement compliance monitoring and avoid transactions that benefit Iran, after which the charges may be dismissed pending court approval.[16]
- 13 March – Turkey intercepts an Iranian ballistic missile violating its airspace.[17]
- 18 March – Iraq reaches a deal with Turkey and the Kurdistan Region to resume oil exports through the Kirkuk–Ceyhan Oil Pipeline.[18]
- 22 March – One person is killed and 10 others are injured, including one critically, when a natural gas explosion collapses two residential buildings in Fatih, Istanbul.[19]
April
[edit]- 7 April – Three gunmen open fire on police outside the building housing the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, resulting in a shootout that leaves one of the attackers dead and the other two injured. Two police officers are also injured.[20]
- 14 April – Sixteen people are injured in a school shooting in Siverek, Şanlıurfa Province. The 19-year old perpetrator dies by suicide.[21]
- 15 April – Twelve people are killed in a school shooting in Kahramanmaraş. The 14-year old perpetrator is also killed.[22]
- 20 April – Eight people are sentenced to up to 7.5 years' imprisonment for the plunging of a cable car on Tünek Tepe in 2024 that killed one person.[23]
May
[edit]- 5 May – The European Court of Human Rights, in the case of Yasak v. Türkiye, rules that Article 7 and Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights had been violated.[24]
- 13 May –
- Turkey lifts restrictions on direct trade with Armenia.[25]
- Authorities arrest 324 suspects linked to Islamic State following operations in 47 provinces.[26]
- 18 May – Six people are killed in a series of shootings carried out by the same person in Tarsus.[27]
- 20 May –
- A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hits Malatya Province, injuring 74 people.[28]
- 2026 UEFA Europa League final[29]
- 21 May –
- Three people are killed following floods in Hatay Province.[30]
- An appeals court in Ankara annuls the results of the CHP's 2023 congress, effectively removing Özgür Özel as party chairman in favor of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.[31]
- 31 May – A bus crashes into highway barriers and catches fire in Denizli Province, killing eight people and injuring 33 others.[32]
June
[edit]- 5 June – The Turkish-flagged fishing boat Duru 67 is attacked and sunk in the Black Sea off Sevastopol, killing one sailor and injuring four others.[33]
- 11 June–19 July – Turkey participates at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- 23 June – At least 209 people are arrested in raids by security forces across Ankara ahead of the 2026 Ankara NATO summit.[34]
July
[edit]- 3 July — A court in Istanbul imprisons comedian Deniz Göktaş for insulting President Erdoğan and religious principles.[35]
- 7—8 July — 2026 Ankara NATO summit[36]
- 18 July – A magnitude 5.0 earthquake hits Malatya Province, injuring 32 people.[37]
- 24 July – The United States imposes a 12.5% tariff on Turkey, citing the presence of alleged forced labor in the supply chain.[38]
August
[edit]- 1 August – Iraq signs a one-year exportation agreement with Turkey to export 750 thousand barrels of petroleum through the Ceyhan pipeline.[39]
- 7 August – Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey sign a joint defense agreement.[40]
- 11 August – Turkey passes legislation providing thousands of PKK operatives a conditional amnesty once the PKK fully relinquishes its weapons.[41]
- 13 August – An F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Turkish Air Force crashes in Yalova Province. The pilot ejects safely.[42]
- 21 August – An international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is issued by Turkey over the interception of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.[43]
- 21 August–6 September – 2026 Women's European Volleyball Championship in Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Sweden and Turkey.[44][45]
September
[edit]- 4 September – The US Treasury announces that it has cut off Turkish investment bank Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi and two subsidiaries from dollar transactions because of their dealings with the Iranian regime.[46]
- 13 September – Widespread raids are conducted on LGBTQ bars, activists’ houses and HIV support groups as part of a crackdown announced by President Erdoğan.[47][48]
- 19 September – Turkey revokes Bank Mellat's operating license amid the US-led economic isolation campaign against Iran.[49]
- 22 September – Eleven students are injured in a school shooting in Turgutlu, Manisa Province.[50]
- 24 September –
- Turkey agrees to gradually transfer Bashiqa base to Iraq.[51]
- A magnitude 5.4 earthquake hits Şanlıurfa Province, injuring 40 people.[52]
- 27 September – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders the drafting of an ICC case against President Erdogan, citing Turkey's alleged persecution of Kurdish minorities and the Turkish government's alleged financial assistance for Hamas.[53]
- 28 September –
- A court in Istanbul sentences comedian Deniz Göktaş to just over 19 months imprisonment for "insulting" President Erdogan.[54]
- A 41-year-old man fatally shoots his uncle at a high school in Osmaniye.[55]
- 29 September – The chair of the Turkish Football Federation's central referee board, Ferhat Gündoğdu, is detained along with six others as part of a police investigation into corruption.[56]
Scheduled
[edit]- 3–20 December – 2026 European Women's Handball Championship in Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Turkey.[57]
Holidays
[edit]- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 20 to 22 March – Ramazan Bayramı
- 23 April – Children's Day
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 19 May – Youth and Sports Day
- 27 to 30 May – Kurban Bayramı
- 15 July – Democracy and National Unity Day
- 30 August – Victory Day
- 29 October – Republic Day
Deaths
[edit]- 3 January – Mesut İktu, 78, operatic baritone, administrator and voice teacher.[60]
- 13 January – Ayfer Elmastaşoğlu, 81, footballer and football manager.[61]
- 21 January – Haldun Dormen, 97, actor and director.[62]
- 23 January – Selim Sadak, 71, MP (1991–1994) and mayor of Siirt (2009–2014).[63]
- 24 January – Sefer Baygın, 83, Olympic wrestler (1972).[64]
- 3 February – Şemsa Özar, 71, academic.[65]
- 6 February – Nevin Efe, 78, actress (Valley of the Wolves: Ambush, Aşk ve Ceza, Arka Sokaklar).[66]
- 11 February – Kanbolat Görkem Arslan, 45, actor.[67]
- 12 February – Ömer Kaner, 74, football coach and player.[68]
- 14 February – Nurcan Çelik, 46, footballer.[69]
- 22 February – Ali Tutal, 75–76, actor (On Fertile Lands, Hemşo, Home Coming).[70]
- 8 April – Ahmet Altay Cengizer, 71, diplomat.[71]
- 11 April – Hüsamettin Cindoruk, 92, acting president (1993), twice member and speaker (1991–1995) of the Grand National Assembly.[72]
- 15 June – Ece İrtem, 35, actress.[73]
- 18 June – Theoliptos Fenerlis, 69, Turkish-Greek Orthodox prelate, metropolitan of Iconium (since 2000).[74]
- 29 June – Arda Küçükyetim, 20, convicted attempted murderer (2024 Eskişehir stabbing).[75]
- 5 August – Bilgesu Erenus, 82, playwright (death announced on this date)[76]
- 5 September – Serhat Kılıç, 82, actor (Kuruluş: Osman, Maraşlı, Mehmed: Fetihler Sultanı)[77]
- 17 September – Gülsen Tuncer, 80, actress (Aşk-ı Memnu, O Hayat Benim, Mrs. Fazilet and Her Daughters)[78]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Kartal Adliyesi'nde bir savcı hakimi silahla vurdu: Hükümlü çaycı yaralı hakimi kurtardı". Medyascope (in Turkish). 13 January 2026. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ↑ "Milli tenisçi Zeynep Sönmez Avustralya Açık'ta 3. turda". Anadoku Ajansi. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ↑ "Turkish Police Find Body of Missing Russian Swimmer". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ↑ "Turkish authorities arrest 6 on suspicion of spying for Iran". AP News. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ↑ "Amedspor football club in Turkiye fined for pro-Kurdish 'propaganda'". Al Jazeera. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ↑ "Bus crashes in wet conditions in southern Turkey, killing 9". AP News. 1 February 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ↑ "Istanbul bars rock bands accused of 'satanism'". France 24. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ "Brawl erupts in Turkey's parliament over justice minister appointment". AP News. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey jails journalist with Germany's DW for 'insulting president'". France 24. 21 February 2026. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey, Saudi sign major solar power deal". France 24. 21 February 2026. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ↑ "A Turkish Air Force F-16 crashes near a major highway, killing its pilot". AP News. 26 February 2026. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Teacher's killing in Istanbul sparks outrage, revives debate on school violence". Hürriyet Daily News. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey intercepts Iran-fired ballistic munition". AL-Monitor. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ "At least 14 migrants drown off Turkey after a chase ends in a deadly collision". AP News. 9 March 2026. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ↑ "Iranian missile downed in Türkiye's southeast, second incident in week". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey's Halkbank settles US criminal case over Iran sanctions violations".
- ↑ "Third Iranian missile intercepted in Turkish airspace: Defense Ministry". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ↑ Mahmoud, Sinan (18 March 2026). "Iraq resumes crude oil exports to Turkey's Ceyhan port through pipeline". The National. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ↑ "1 dead in Istanbul after gas explosion collapses 2 buildings". The Canadian Press. 22 March 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
- ↑ "Gunman near Israeli Consulate in Istanbul killed, Turkish governor says". CBC. 7 April 2026. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ "Teenage gunman opens fire at a school in Turkey, wounding 16 before killing himself". AP News. 16 April 2026. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
- ↑ "Death toll from Turkey's second school shooting in a week rises to 10". AP News. 16 April 2026. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey sentences 8 people to prison terms in deadly 2024 cable car accident". AP News. 21 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "YASAK v. TÜRKİYE". European Court of Human Rights. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey removes a restriction on direct trade with Armenia to improve ties". AP News. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey detains 324 suspected of Islamic State group links". AP News. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "Police hunt gunman in rifle attacks that kill 6 people in southern Turkey". AP News. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ "Malatya'da 5.6 büyüklüğünde deprem (12)". Haberturk (in Turkish). 20 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "20 OCAK GÜNÜN MAÇLARI: Bugün Hangi Maçlar Var? Şampiyonlar Ligi Maçları Hangi Kanalda, Saat Kaçta? İşte 20 Ocak Salı Günün Maçları..." CNN TÜRK (in Turkish). 20 January 2026. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ↑ "Teenager among 3 dead in Turkey after floods and landslides hit southern province". AP News. 22 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ "Turkish court rules to remove head of the main opposition party in latest blow". AP News. 22 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ "Bus crashes and catches fire in western Turkey, killing 8 people, including an infant". AP News. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- ↑ "Turkish-flagged fishing boat is attacked in the Black Sea, leaving a sailor dead". AP News. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey detains 209 in raids in the capital ahead of July's NATO summit". AP News. 23 June 2026. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
- ↑ "Turkish court jails comedian for insulting Erdogan, religious values". The Straits Times. Reuters. 3 July 2026. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ "OPINION: The Ankara NATO Summit: A Minor Respite for NATO". Kyiv Post. 16 July 2026. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
- ↑ "Malatya'da yaşanan 5 büyüklüğündeki depremde yaralı var mı? Vali Yavuz açıkladı". Malatya Sonsöz (in Turkish). 18 July 2026. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
- ↑ Race, Michael; Velasquez, Francisco; Crew, Jemma; Chia, Osmond (24 July 2026). "US hits dozens of countries with new wave of tariffs". BBC News. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ "العراق وتركيا يوقعان اتفاقاً لمدة عام لتصدير النفط عبر جيهان". الشرق بلومبرغ. 1 August 2026. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan pledge mutual defence as Middle East turmoil escalates". Reuters. 7 August 2026. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Turkiye passes law giving thousands of PKK members chance at amnesty". Al Jazeera. 11 August 2026. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ "F-16 aircraft crashes in training flight in Turkey, defence ministry says". Reuters. 12 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey issues 'genocide' warrant for Israel's Netanyahu". Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. Agence France Presse. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
- ↑ "Türkiye to host 2026 CEV Women's European Volleyball finals". TRT World. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ↑ "Türkiye to host CEV EuroVolley 2026 Finals!". CEV. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ↑ "Treasury Severs Iranian Regime's Financial Lifelines in Türkiye". United States Department of Treasury. 4 September 2026. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "Widespread police raids, online censorship target Turkey's LGBTI+ community in new crackdown". Bianet. 13 September 2026. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
- ↑ "Turkish authorities launch crackdown on LGBTQ+ and HIV support groups". Associated Press. 13 September 2026. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey revokes operating license of Iran's Mellat Bank amid US measures". Reuters. 19 September 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "Student opens fire outside school in Turkey, 11 pupils wounded". Reuters. 22 September 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "Turkiye agrees to gradual handover of Bashiqa base to Iraq". Reuters. 24 September 2026. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ "Şanlıurfa'da 5,4 büyüklüğünde deprem" (in Turkish). Anadolu Ajansı. 24 September 2026. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ "Why is Israel preparing an ICC case against Erdogan? Kurds, Hamas funding and legal hurdles explained". Mint. 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "Comedian convicted for Erdogan 'insult' but freed pending appeal". Agence France Presse. 28 September 2026. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "A man shoots and kills his uncle at a school in southern Turkey". Associated Press. 28 September 2026. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "Turkey detains chief and six members of referee board in probe". CNA. 29 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ "Organisers for Women's EHF EURO 2026 confirmed". EHF. European Handball Federation. 8 March 2024.
- ↑ "Turkey Public Holidays 2026". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ↑ "Turkey Public Holidays 2026". Office Holidays. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ↑ @bulent_evcil; (3 January 2026). "Değerli sanatçı, kıymetli ağabey Mesut İktu'nun vefatını derin bir üzüntüyle öğrenmiş bulunuyorum" (in Turkish). Retrieved 3 January 2026 – via Instagram.
- ↑ "Eski milli futbolcu hayatını kaybetti". Sözcü (in Turkish). 13 January 2026. Archived from the original on 13 January 2026. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
- ↑ "Ünlü sanatçı Haldun Dormen hayatını kaybetti". NTV. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Former DEP MP Selim Sadak has passed away". Haberler. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ↑ "Former national wrestler Sefer Baygın, the European champion, has passed away". Haberler. 24 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ↑ "Prof. Dr. Şemsa Özar hayatını kaybetti". Bianet (in Turkish). 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ↑ "Yeşilçam'ın Usta İsmi Nevin Efe Hayatını Kaybetti: Neden Öldü". GZT (in Turkish). Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ↑ "Kanbolat Görkem Arslan'a veda günü.... Dostları yalnız bırakmadı". Hurriyet (in Turkish). 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Eski futbolcumuz Ömer Kaner’i kaybettik (in Turkish)
- ↑ Nurcan Çelik'i kaybettik (in Turkish)
- ↑ "Master actor Ali Tutal has passed away". Haberler. 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ↑ Büyükelçi Ahmet Altay Cengizer kimdir, kaç yaşında ve neden öldü? (in Turkish)
- ↑ "Eski TBMM Başkanı Hüsamettin Cindoruk hayatını kaybetti!". Sözcü (in Turkish). DHA. 11 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "Son dakika: Kızılcık Şerbeti'nin Işıl'ı Ece İrtem hayatını kaybetti". Sözcü (in Turkish). 15 June 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ↑ "Εκοιμήθη ο Μητροπολίτης Ικονίου Θεόληπτος". ROMFEA (in Greek). Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ "Eskişehir'de maske takıp, 5 kişiyi bıçaklamıştı: 75 yıl ceza alan Arda Küçükyetim'in cezaevinde intihar ettiği bildirildi". Cumhuriyet (in Turkish). 29 June 2026. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
- ↑ "Türk tiyatrosunun usta ismi Bilgesu Erenus 83 yaşında hayatını kaybetti". Sözcü. Archived from the original on 6 August 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Ünlü oyuncu Serhat Kılıç evinde ölü bulundu". Hurriyet (in Turkish). 5 September 2026. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
- ↑ "Aşk-ı Memnu'nun Arsen Halası idi... Gülsen Tuncer hayatını kaybetti". Sozcu (in Turkish). Retrieved 18 September 2026.
