Thousands protested 13 March in Istanbul against arrest of journalists including 7 for alleged involvement in “Ergenekon” coup-plot case. PM Erdoğan 14 March accused international press of “defamation campaign” against Turkey over coverage of media freedom. European Parliament 9 March adopted critical resolution on progress in Turkey’s EU accession, warned about deterioration in press freedom, urged constitutional reform; foreign ministry described report as one-sided and unacceptable. 3 PKK rebels killed 15 March in shootout with soldiers in south-eastern Şırnak province. In first significant attack since Feb end of ceasefire, PKK militants 25 March fired rocket at police station in Diyarbakır province. Pro-Kurdish party BDP 23 March called on Kurds to stage collective acts of civil disobedience in southeast. Parliament 3 March approved parliamentary elections for 12 June. After expressing initial concern over military intervention in Libya, govt 24 March announced backing for NATO command of operations (see Libya).

Police used tear gas, water cannons 3 Feb to disperse about 10,000 people protesting labour law; several people injured. 17-year old Kurdish student burned himself to death 14 Feb in protest against PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan’s 1999 detention. Mass protests by pro-Kurdish supporters 15 Feb to mark anniversary of Ocalan’s detention turned into clashes with police in southeast; unrest and clashes between demonstrators and police continued 17-20 Feb. PKK 28 Feb ended unilateral ceasefire due to ruling AKP’s “unwillingness” to solve Kurdish issues. U.S. State Dept 17 Feb expressed “ongoing concerns” about treatment of journalists following 4 Feb arrest of 4 anti-govt journalists for questioning in “Ergenekon” plot to overthrow govt. PM Erdoğan 15 Feb rejected opposition allegations that his govt was interfering in Ergenekon coup trial after Istanbul court jailed at least 155 officers for their role in plot. French President Sarkozy during Ankara visit 25 Feb said Turkey unfit for EU membership. FM Davutoğlu 26 Feb said Turkey will not sign readmission agreement with EU unless talks begin on visa liberalisation.

Police 5 Jan clashed with students in Ankara protesting against strong police response to Dec student protests. Security forces 13 Jan clashed with demonstrators in southeastern provinces as trial of 150 Kurdish provincial leaders linked to outlawed PKK resumed. In continuing chill in relations with Israel, PM Erdoğan 13 Jan derided Israel PM Netanyahu’s govt as “worst” in history of Israel, called Israel FM Lieberman Israel’s “greatest problem”. Turkey “surprised, appalled and dismayed” by Israel’s 23 Jan publication of report finding no fault in 31 May 2010 killing of 8 Turks and Turkish-American on Gaza-bound flotilla ship; U.S. said report “credible and impartial and transparent”. Police 15 Jan arrested 17 people with suspected links to Turkish Hizbollah after 9 suspected members of group disappeared following 4 Jan release of 18 members of group and 5 PKK members under new law limiting to 10 years time suspects can be detained without sentencing. FM Davutoğlu and Qatar PM al-Thani 20 Jan suspended efforts to mediate Lebanon’s political crisis after 2 days of talks failed to achieve breakthrough (see Lebanon). Deputy PM Ali Babacan 29 Jan warned EU becoming “Christian club”, criticised lack of progress in EU accession.

Controversial trial of 197 active and retired military officers accused of 2003 plot to overthrow govt began 16 Dec. Police and students clashed throughout month during protests against govt higher education reforms. Senior officials from Turkey and Israel 5-6 Dec met in Geneva in attempt to thaw relations; no breakthrough announced. PM Erdogan 20 Dec repeated call for official Israeli apology for deadly raid on Gaza- bound aid flotilla; Israeli PM Netanyahu 27 Dec said Israel would not apologise but willing to express regret at loss of life. Abdullah Ocalan, jailed PKK leader, 9 Dec said group would honour unilateral ceasefire through June 2011. Suspected PKK militant killed 11 Dec in clashes with security forces in south-eastern Batman province; 3 PKK rebels killed 29 Dec in southeast. Annual enlargement debate 14 Dec between EU states criticised Turkey for failure to normalise relations with and open ports to EU member Cyprus but praised Ankara for recent constitutional reform package.

At NATO summit in Lisbon Turkey 19 Nov endorsed missile shield after alliance met Ankara’s demands by not naming any country as threat. Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), militant offshoot of PKK, 4 Nov claimed responsibility for 31 Oct suicide attack in Istanbul; said actions autonomous of PKK, denounced unilateral ceasefire. PM Erdogan 24-25 Nov visited Lebanon with aim of calming tension surrounding Special Tribunal for Lebanon investigation (see Lebanon); quoted saying Hizbollah not linked to assassination of former PM Hariri. European Commission 9 Nov issued 2010 progress report on Turkey, including praise for Sep constitutional reforms, criticism for lack of media freedom and slow progress in democratic opening with Kurdish community; Turkish chief EU negotiator called it “most positive progress report so far”.

Suicide bomb blast 31 Oct in Istanbul injured 32 people, including 15 police; perpetrators yet to be identified. Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) 1 Nov denied involvement in attack; announced unilateral ceasefire which expired 31 Oct would be extended until June 2011 elections. Parliament 12 Oct granted 12-month extension to military’s mandate to conduct cross-border operations in northern Iraq against outlawed PKK. Despite PKK unilateral ceasefire 2 soldiers, 1 Kurdish militant killed in 13 Oct clash in southeast Tunceli province; 3 PKK rebels killed 14 Oct during ongoing security forces operation in region. 4 regular and 3 reserve members of 11-seat Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) resigned 11 Oct to protest govt constitutional amendments passed by Sept national referendum. Trial began 18 Oct of more than 150 Kurds, including 12 elected mayors, charged with membership of KCK, alleged urban arm of outlawed PKK. Turkish lawyers representing pro- Palestinian activists 14 Oct filed complaint with ICC accusing Israel of war crimes during May deadly raid on Turkish-owned Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Police 26 Oct arrested 12 people in Istanbul suspected of aiding al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

12 Sept referendum on changes to 1982 military-drafted constitution passed with 58% voting in favour; 77% turnout despite Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party’s calls for Kurdish boycott. 26 amendments proposed by PM Erdoğan’s AKP govt include making military more accountable to civilian courts and greater executive authority over judiciary. EU praised changes as “step in the right direction”, urged undertaking other reforms. PKK’s 1 month unilateral ceasefire extended 29 Sept by another month. Despite ceasefire 9 militants killed 6 Sept in clash with security forces in Hakkari in south east. Roadside bomb in Hakkari 16 Sept killed 9 civilians, injured 4; PKK denied responsibility. Govt 23 Sept met pro-Kurdish party BDP for negotiations; raised hopes for disarming PKK insurgency. Turkey 1 Sept submitted report on Israel’s 31 May deadly raid on Gaza-bound flotilla to 4-member UN panel. Israeli President Peres 20 Sept said meeting with Turkish counterpart Gül on sidelines of UNGA cancelled after Turkey set “unacceptable” preconditions; Gül denied meeting was scheduled. UNHRC fact-finding mission 22 Sept concluded Israeli raid on Gaza flotilla “unlawful”; Turkey welcomed report, Israel dismissed as “biased”.

After 3 month intensification in attacks by Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), group 14 Aug declared unilateral ceasefire until 20 Sept for Ramadan, said ceasefire could last longer if Turkish govt satisfies certain conditions; govt 18 Aug said would never negotiate with an “illegal organisation”; PM Erdoğan 23 Aug said state bodies (inc intelligence institutions) may talk to jailed PKK leader Ocalan. Prior to ceasefire, 4 civilians killed 1 Aug by alleged PKK roadside bomb in southeast Turkey; 3 PKK rebels, 1 police officer killed 3 Aug in attack on southeast Siirt police station; 1 soldier, at least 6 PKK rebels died 5 Aug in clashes in eastern Agrı province; 3 soldiers killed 8 Aug in southeast by alleged PKK landmine explosion. Turkey and Israel 10 Aug agreed to 4-person investigation into Israel’s 31 May deadly raid on Gaza-bound flotilla, reporting directly to UNSG and headed by former New Zealand PM Palmer. Turkey 12 Aug established own national commission on raid to draft report to be given to UN panel. Turkish govt and military agreed to compromise 5 Aug after political stand-off over military’s role in alleged 2003 anti-govt coup: military agreed not to promote 11 senior officers accused of involvement in coup plot, in return govt annulled arrest warrants against 102 officers.

New waves of attacks by PKK saw more than 20 members of security forces killed in month; army’s bombing of PKK bases in northern Iraq continued. Militants bombed pipelines carrying natural gas from Iraq 3 July and Iran 20 July, temporarily suspending supply. PKK leader Murat Karayılan 21 July said group would disarm if govt agreed to UN-monitored ceasefire and certain conditions, threatened attacks on major cities; govt refused to comment. More than 5,000 protestors clashed with police 11 July in southeast city of Diyarbakir during pro-PKK rally; at least 10 arrested. Clashes between Turks and Kurds 25 July in Inegol province. 4 police officers killed 26 July by suspected PKK gunmen leading to further ethnic clashes 27 July in southeastern Hatay province. Istanbul court 19 July indicted 196 people including 30 retired or serving military officers for conspiring to overthrow govt in 2003. Constitutional Court 7 July rejected demands by main opposition Republican People’s Party to annul package of constitutional amendments, approved 12 Sept referendum, asked for revisions to articles giving more authority to President over Constitutional Court appointment processes. FM Davutoğlu 6 July said Israel’s internal investigation of Gaza flotilla raid insufficient, Turkey expects Israel to apologise or accept international investigation. Israel FM Lieberman reiterated Israel has no intention of apologising.

Deadly PKK attacks escalated after group 3 June announced end to unilateral 14-month ceasefire, citing continued attacks on PKK targets by security forces. Violence peaked 19-21 June as 13 soldiers and at least 17 militants killed in clashes in south-east; 19 June single bloodiest day for army since 2008. Two further clashes 30 June killed 2 soldiers, 3 village guards and 12 PKK militants. Bombings by militants in Istanbul 8, 22 June killed 6, injured 28. PM Erdogan 20 June vowed to annihilate PKK, criticised EU 24 June for “turning a blind eye” to PKK. U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey 21 June pledged active support to defeat organisation. Military 20 June launched land, air offensive against PKK bases in Qandil Mountains in northern Iraq; Iraqi FM Zebari 20 June criticised “unilateral” Turkish action. Trial of 30 PKK supporters began 17 June; group returned from exile Oct 2009 without threat of trial as part of govt reconciliation effort. Police 9 June arrested 17 people suspected of ties to al-Qaeda in simultaneous raids in 4 cities. Debate about Turkey’s foreign policy direction fuelled by Turkey’s strong anti-Israeli rhetoric after Israel’s raid 31 May on Gaza-bound aid ship (see Israel-OPT), and Turkey’s 9 June “no” vote on UNSC resolution mandating new round of sanctions on Iran; U.S. expressed disappointment, Turkey said vote was ethical given ongoing diplomatic efforts to solve nuclear dispute.