The Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure said Sunday that varying levels of airspace closures and restrictions have been implemented above Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, following US and Israeli attacks against Iran.

A post on the ministry’s official NSosyal account noted that air traffic services are not being provided over Afghanistan, while airspace regulations are in effect over the United Arab Emirates (Emirates FIR).

Regarding airport operations, the ministry reported that Ben Gurion Airport in Israel is operating under limited capacity, while Haifa, Ramon, Rosh Pina and Herzliya airports are closed.

In Syria, operational conditions at Damascus and Aleppo international airports are subject to change depending on published NOTAMs.

On the flow of regional air traffic, the ministry noted that most flights are routed through the corridor connecting Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye and Southern Cyprus, with some traffic passing via northern Azerbaijan toward Türkiye and Europe.

It has led to increased congestion within Turkish airspace, though authorities emphasized that air traffic services are being maintained safely and without disruption.

On Saturday, 15 flights were diverted due to regional airspace closures, nine of which were redirected to the Istanbul Airport. At the Tehran Airport, two aircraft operated by Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines remain on the ground.

The ministry added that Turkish carriers are adjusting flight routes in line with current restrictions, while developments in the region are being closely monitored and coordinated measures continue to manage any potential changes in airspace and airport conditions.

REGIONAL TENSIONS

Israel and the US launched a military operation against Iran early Saturday, citing alleged threats posed by the “Iranian regime.”

The strikes came after the latest round of US-Iran nuclear talks concluded Thursday in Geneva, where both sides had described the atmosphere as serious and constructive under Omani mediation.

Last June, the US had struck three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day Israel-Iran conflict.

Published February 26,2026

Subscribe

A Turkish humanitarian organization has delivered food assistance to 8,250 families across drought-affected regions of Somalia during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Turkish officials said.

Türkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) distributed food packages in seven states and 13 regions of the country as part of its Ramadan relief program, supported by donations from charitable contributors.

The aid packages, containing staple items such as flour, rice, pasta, sugar, cooking oil and basic legumes, were prepared for families facing economic hardship amid prolonged drought conditions that have worsened in recent years.

Teams made up of foundation staff and volunteers carried out the distributions in various regions, including camps in the capital Mogadishu. Assistance events were held at the Hindere camp in the Daynile district and the Bilhayr camp in the Garapaley area, with officials meeting families after the deliveries.

Omer Faruk Arslan, religious services counselor at the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu, told Anadolu that humanitarian support remains critical as severe drought has intensified across Somalia.

“Due to the drought, there have been serious problems in access to food and water over the past two years,” Arslan said. “With the support of our donors, we are delivering food packages to those in need in 13 regions.”

He said each family received one package and noted that the total distribution of 8,250 parcels is expected to benefit around 80,000 people, based on an average household size of 10.

Arslan described the assistance as valuable in strengthening ties between Somalia and Türkiye and thanked donors for their contributions.

TDV continues to provide food aid to vulnerable communities in different parts of the world throughout Ramadan.

Published February 26,2026

Subscribe

Türkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran met with Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa in the Turkish capital Ankara on Thursday, discussing bilateral ties and cooperation in strategic communication.

The meeting took place following a panel titled “Türkiye’s Role as a Peacekeeper in Conflict Zones from a Media Perspective,” hosted by the Turkish Communications Directorate.

In a statement shared on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Duran said he was pleased to host Mustafa at the event and noted that the talks focused on the current state and future of relations between Türkiye and Syria.

The two sides exchanged views on the importance of maintaining communication and diplomatic channels to help establish regional peace, stability and security, Duran said.

They also underscored the responsibility of the media during conflict situations and stressed the need for a shared understanding to safeguard the truth, according to the statement.

Duran said both parties reaffirmed their mutual will to strengthen cooperation in strategic communication, public diplomacy and efforts to combat disinformation.

He added that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Türkiye continues its efforts toward achieving lasting peace, justice and stability in the region, and that the Communications Directorate remains committed to defending the truth and ensuring that accurate information reaches the public.

Published February 26,2026

Subscribe

Türkiye’s defense industry has reached a new milestone with the export of Hurjet, a jet trainer developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), to Spain.

Mass production of the Hurjet is currently underway for the Turkish Air Force, while preparations continue to meet the requirements of the export contract with Spain.

The aircraft is scheduled to enter service in Türkiye in 2027 and in Spain in 2028.

Turkish defense firm Havelsan will supply the full mission and flight training simulator to accompany the Hurjet as part of the deal.

The simulator is expected to be delivered to the Turkish Air Force in the fourth quarter of 2026, ahead of the aircraft’s export to Spain.

Mehmet Akif Nacar, Havelsan’s general manager, told Anadolu that the agreement represents a major turning point for Türkiye’s defense sector.

Nacar said the deal reverses a long-standing trend in which Türkiye imported such simulators, noting that Havelsan has now developed the capacity to design and export comprehensive simulator software.

He said the company plans to apply the same export model with other countries purchasing the Hurjet, providing advanced training simulators alongside the aircraft.

Havelsan engineers began work on the Hurjet simulator three years ago, contributing to the aircraft’s engineering tests, cockpit scenarios and validation processes.

The company is using the same engineering approach for KAAN, Türkiye’s homegrown combat aircraft.

The Hurjet’s next-generation embedded simulator allows pilots to train in virtual scenarios during actual flights, without relying on ground-based visual systems, extending operational training time.

Havelsan is also constructing a new complex in Ankara to meet growing domestic and international demand. Once completed, the facility is expected to be the largest simulator production and integration center in Europe.

Nacar said Havelsan’s global market share and export revenues are expected to grow as TAI expands international sales of domestically developed platforms, including the Hurkus and Atak aircraft.