Former chief of staff Gen Ilker Başbuğ arrested 6 Jan in connection with ongoing coup-plot case; public prosecutor 10 Jan accused opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) leader Kılıçdaroğlu of “attempting to influence fair trial”, asked his parliamentary immunity be removed. 2 militants killed in 1 Jan raid on PKK Diyarbakir hideout; PKK blamed for 19 Jan Hakkari bombing that killed 1, wounded 28, but denied involvement. Over 40 detained 11 Jan in Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) investigation in southeast, Istanbul. 20 detained 13 Jan in 16 provinces during raid, including pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) offices, home of Kurdish deputy Leyla Zana; 31 suspects arrested 17 Jan, including former BDP deputy. BDP 27 Jan petitioned ICC to investigate Jan air strikes that killed 35. Man sentenced 17 Jan to life in prison for 2007 murder of Armenian newspaper editor Hrant Dink; outcry after court dismissed allegations that an organisation was behind it, possibly linked to state entities, led to 19 Jan demonstration of 30,000 in Istanbul. FM Davutoğlu during early Jan Iran visit reiterated that NATO missile shield stationed in Turkey for defensive purposes only; announced 30 Jan will not bar Iranian oil imports unless UN sanctions imposed. Relations with France deteriorated after French Senate 23 Jan adopted bill criminalising denial of Armenian genocide; French politicians 31 Jan moved to rule law unconstitutional.

Waves of arrests under anti-terror laws for alleged links to PKK including pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) members, journalists, lawyers, activists and academics; 80 arrested 7-18 Dec; and 38 people, mainly pro-Kurdish journalists including AFP photographer, detained 20 Dec in 7 different cities. Violence in SE continued. Scores of PKK militants killed by security forces including around 50 militants killed 21-22 Dec in Hakkari, Sirnak, Diyarbakir provinces. Turkish military air strike killed 35 Turkish Kurd smugglers on Iraqi border 28 Dec, mistaking them for PKK, triggering nationwide outrage. 1 Turkish soldier killed 22 Dec in landmine blast in Hakkari. EU Council report 9 Dec called on Turkey to improve freedom of expression, especially on freedom of media. French national assembly 22 Dec passed bill which, if passed by Senate, will criminalize denial of genocide including 1915 mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks; Ankara withdrew ambassador, cancelled economic, political and military cooperation. FM Davutoğlu 9 Dec warned Syria it would act to protect itself if Syrian govt crackdown on protesters threatened regional security and unleashed tide of refugees. Opposition Syrian National Council 14 Dec opened HQ in Istanbul.

Ongoing military operations in SE against PKK militants. Scores arrested for suspected PKK-links throughout month, including 47 lawyers of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and members of pro-Kurdish BDP party. Kurdish militant killed by commandos 11 Nov after hijacking ferry with 18 passengers on Sea of Marmara. Turkish diplomatic missions in Syria attacked 12 Nov by pro-Assad crowds; President Gül 14 Nov called attacks unacceptable, warned of measures. Govt 15 Nov cancelled oil exploration plans with Syria in Mediterranean; threatened then pulled back from cutting off electricity supplies. 2 Turkish pilgrims reported injured 21 Nov by gunmen in northern Syria. PM Erdoğan 22 Nov called for Syrian President Assad to step down; 30 Nov announced sanctions on regime. 15 detained 22 Nov for suspected al-Qaeda links in central Anatolian city of Konya. Second earthquake 9 Nov struck southeastern city of Van , killed around 40, after more than 600 killed in 23 Oct earthquake.

Several deadly attacks throughout month by PKK including 19 Oct assault on border posts in Hakkari that killed at least 26 soldiers; President Gül vowed “great revenge”. Military responded 20 Oct by launching ground offensive, airstrikes into N Iraq; military said at least 49 PKK killed. Suicide bomber 29 Oct killed 2, wounded 20 in predominantly Kurdish eastern Bingol town. Constitution committee involving all parties in parliament began meeting 19 Oct to discuss new constitution. Over 120 people detained 4 Oct for links to PKK including BDP deputy leader and several mayors. EC 12 Oct presented annual progress report on Turkey, criticised regression in freedom of expression. FM Davutoğlu 17 Oct met with members of Syria’s opposition National Council in Istanbul, urged them to use peaceful methods to achieve democracy. Nearly 600 killed by 23 Oct earthquake in SE Van province.

Heightened tensions between PKK and military, which last month began launching air strikes and firing artillery against suspected PKK bases in northern Iraq in retaliation for recent escalation of insurgent attacks. Ankara threatened to carry out ground operation despite opposition from Iraq’s regional Kurdish govt. Car bombing 20 Sept killed 3, wounded 34 in Ankara; PKK-offshoot Kurdistan Freedom Falcons claimed responsibility, PKK denied any role. PM Erdoğan 24 Sept said U.S. agreed in principle to provide Predator drones to Turkey to aid fight against PKK. Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BPD) 27 Sept ended 4-month parliamentary boycott. UN report into May 2010 deadly raid on Gaza-bound protest flotilla published 2 Sept, found Israel used excessive force but blockade of Gaza legal; after report failed to trigger Israeli apology Turkey expelled Israel’s envoy, froze military cooperation. FM Davutoğlu 3 Sept said Turkey will challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza at ICJ. PM Erdoğan 23 Sept said Turkey had imposed arms embargo on Syria for regime’s crackdown on its people, had already stopped Syrian-flagged ship; said he had “cut all contact” with regime.

Wave of attacks by PKK against security forces in southeast, some 30 security personnel killed during month. In retaliation Turkish military bombarded PKK bases in northern Iraq, claimed up to 160 rebels killed, PKK said few casualties; Iraq criticised military action as violation of border. Federal prosecutor 3 Aug charged 106 Kurdish politicians with terrorist propaganda, including for demanding better conditions for jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. Senior Military Council led by PM Erdoğan named 4 new military commanders following 29 July resignation of chief of general staff, commanders of army, airforce and navy. FM Davutoğlu 15 Aug issued “final word” to Syrian President Assad to end immediately military operations against civilians, said in context of human rights situation not “domestic issue”. Meeting of Syrian opposition 20 Aug to set up transitional council hosted in Istanbul.

Increased PKK activities during month. 21 soldiers killed in clashes with PKK during month including 13 in 14 July ambush in southeastern Diyarbakır province; over next 2 days thousands of Turkish nationalists attacked BDP buildings in 7 major cities. Main opposition party CHP 12 July ended 2-week parliamentary boycott in protest at ban on jailed deputies; pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) boycott continued. Top 4 generals resigned 29 July in protest over detention of 250 officers in “Ergenekon” coup-plot case. PM Erdoğan 23 July ruled out normalisation of ties with Israel unless Jewish state “officially apologises” for deadly raid on Gaza-bound flotilla last year; UN report on flotilla raid delayed to late August (see Israel/OPT). U.S. Sec of State Clinton 15-16 July visited Turkey, praised anti-terror efforts, but criticised Ankara for restriction on media and freedom of expression. Govt 3 July recognised Transitional National Council as legitimate Libyan govt, promised additional $200 million in aid (see Libya). Number of refugees from Syria housed on Turkish side of border fell to less than 10,000 during month (see Syria).

In 12 June parliamentary elections governing AKP won 49.9 per cent of vote but its seats in 550-member parliament went down from 341 to 327. Main opposition party CHP and pro-Kurdish BDP increased seats, nationalist MHP also passed 10 % threshold. Election board 21 June cancelled one BDP deputy’s election citing previous conviction on charges of terrorism propaganda; at 28 June opening of parliament 35 BDP deputies began boycott of parliament and 134 CHP deputies refused to take oath of office in protest at bans on elected candidates. Unrest in Syria forced around 12,000 refugees to flee across border; FM Davutoğlu 15 June warned of potential humanitarian crisis. PM Erdoğan 9 June called Syrian forces crackdown on protesters “savagery”. Syrian regime criticised govt for hosting 31 May-2 June meeting of Syrian dissidents in Antalya. 3 PKK militants killed 14 June in clash with security forces in Sivas province; 1 soldier killed 26 June in PKK attack in Van province; 3 PKK militants killed 28 June in clash with security forces in southeast Tunceli province. In ongoing trial of 152 Kurdish officials, Erzurum High Court 16 June sentenced 11 Kurds to total of 91 years in prison for membership in Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), alleged urban arm of PKK.

PM Erdoğan 3 May urged Colonel Qaddafi to “leave power immediately”; day earlier embassy in Tripoli closed. Head of Libya’s Transitional National Council 23 May met FM Davutoğlu in Ankara, voiced support for Turkish roadmap for peace (see Libya). Erdoğan 11 May called on Syrian President Assad to take immediate democratic steps, said momentum toward democracy in Middle East “irreversible” (see Syria). Govt 3 May announced signing of 3 agreements with Iran, including road map for energy investments; U.S. warned Iran may exploit ties to circumvent international sanctions. Escalation in violence between PKK, security forces including 1 police officer killed 4 May in PKK attack on Erdoğan’s campaign convoy in Kastamonu province; military 14 May killed 12 PKK members allegedly crossing border from Iraq. Several demonstrators, police officers injured 4 May in violent protests in SE Diyarbakır during funeral for 4 PKK militants killed Apr. Jailed PKK leader Öcalan 6 May warned govt had until 15 June to signal breakthrough, for instance on new constitution, or risk civil war. 8 injured 26 May in suspected PKK bombing in Istanbul.

1 protester killed, dozens wounded 20 Apr during clashes between pro-Kurdish demonstrators and police in SE provinces. Protests sparked after High Election Board 18 Apr banned 12 Kurdish politicians from contesting 12 June parliamentary elections for previous convictions regarding alleged involvement in terror-related activities; board 21 Apr reversed decision on 8 candidates. 35 members of pro-Kurdish party BDP, including local officials, arrested 25 Apr for suspected links to outlawed PKK in SE Hakkari province; around 20,000 protested detentions. PM Erdoğan 13 Apr rejected allegations of govt curbs on media freedom; hundreds of journalists 15 Apr protested March detention of journalists, lack of freedom of expression. 7 suspected PKK militants killed 1 Apr by security forces in Hatay province near Syrian border. Security forces 28 Apr killed 7 PKK rebels during ongoing operations in east of country. Erdoğan 26 Apr called Syrian President Assad, urged restraint in crackdown on protesters; ambassador to Damascus met Syrian PM Safar, expressed concern over loss of life (see Syria).