Day: February 19, 2023

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday he is “profoundly saddened” by the devastation from the Feb. 6 earthquakes in southern Türkiye.

"Profoundly saddened to see firsthand the devastation of the earthquakes in Türkiye. The United States remains committed to doing everything we can to help with rescue, relief, and recovery efforts," Blinken, who visited the earthquake-hit region along with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, said on Twitter.

As part of his two-day visit to Türkiye, Blinken arrived at Incirlik Air Base in Adana province Sunday, where he was welcomed by the Turkish foreign minister.

Cavusoglu, for his part, said on Twitter: "Before our official meeting tomorrow, examined earthquake areas with Blinken, who is on solidarity visit to Türkiye."

On board a helicopter, the two men examined the earthquake-stricken region.

Blinken also announced Washington’s plan for an additional $100 million to provide lifesaving aid in Türkiye and Syria through the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, the humanitarian bureau of the State Department, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

“The US will continue to stand with the Turkish and Syrian people,” he said.

“Deeply saddened but also inspired by the dedication of first responders, brave Turkish citizens, humanitarian workers, and the commitment of the United States and so many others to help the people of Türkiye in this time of need,” Blinken later said on Twitter.

He added that it was an “honor to meet the heroes of the USAID search and rescue and disaster assistance response teams” and thanked them for their critical work to help quake-hit Türkiye, “our NATO Ally.”

“Immediately after the earthquake hit, the United States, other countries jumped in. We had search and rescue teams here within a day – about 200 people, canines, other experts in trying to do search and rescue,” Blinken said in Adana.

“At the same time, we are working in very close collaboration with our Turkish colleagues, both to understand all of the needs and to find ways to deliver on them. This could not be done without the extraordinary work and collaboration of so many parts of the U.S. Government, but starting with the United States military, which, as always, has jumped in a remarkable way. Our colleagues have flown something like 150 sorties.”

The US has responded to the deadly twin quakes with $185 million in humanitarian assistance to date, Blinken said, adding that American businesses, communities, and individuals are also generously helping.

At least 41,020 people have been killed by the two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, the country’s disaster management agency said Sunday.

The 7.7 and 7.6-magnitude earthquakes, centered in Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 11 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Elazig and Sanliurfa.

Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, also felt the strong tremors that struck Türkiye in the space of less than 10 hours.

Source: Anadolu Agency

First ladies around the world extended messages of solidarity and condolence to Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan after devastating earthquakes struck southern Türkiye.

"Joe and I send our heartfelt condolences to the people of Türkiye. We are deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that have caused the loss of thousands of lives. You are in our prayers during this difficult time," US first lady Jill Biden said in a letter to Erdogan.

Showing solidarity following the quakes in Türkiye and Syria, French first lady Brigitte Macron said: "I would like to express to you that I deeply share your pain. France is in great sorrow and all our thoughts are with the families who were mourned in this ordeal."

Paraguay's first lady Silvana Abdo said: "Please receive my sincere condolences for the loss of life and the destruction suffered by the Turkish people. In these difficult times, my prayers and thoughts are with you, dear friend.”

In a telephone call with Erdogan, Nigerian first lady Aisha Buhari emphasized the vulnerability of societies against natural disasters and the importance of the need for cooperation to protect humanity and said: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to you and the beautiful Turkish people. The wives of African leaders, my family, and Nigerian women share your sorrow."

Gabon's first lady Sylvia Bongo said: "My sincere condolences to you and the grieving families of those who lost their loved ones."

Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured, the first lady of Croatia, Sanja Music Milanovic said: "In these difficult moments for the Republic of Türkiye, which is faced with a huge human tragedy, I express my solidarity with the families of the victims and with all the citizens of your country."

Recalling Türkiye's help to South Korea in the Korean war, South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee said: "The Korean people voluntarily send aid materials and donations to Türkiye in the hope that Türkiye will successfully recover from the damage caused by the earthquake."

"I hope that the friendship between the two countries, which shines even brighter in this difficult period, will strengthen the people of Türkiye," she added.

Uzbekistan's first lady Ziroatkhon Hoshimova conveyed condolences to Erdogan, as did Maria Begona Gomez Fernandez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, expressing sadness and solidarity with Türkiye.

"We are deeply shaken by the enormity of the tragedy. Our hearts go out to the earthquake victims, their families, and rescue teams," she added.

Latvia’s first lady Andra Levite said: "I express my deepest condolences to you and the people of Türkiye."

"It warms our hearts that the brotherly Turkish nations united as a single fist and pulled the survivors out from rubble of the collapsed buildings, supported each other, and heroically overcome difficulties in these difficult days that have befallen us," said Kyrgyzstan's first lady Aigul Japarova.

The Executive Director of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Maimunah Mohd Sharif said: "I send my prayers to the families, your government, and the Turkish people who lost their loved ones during this difficult time. The UN Human Settlements Program is in solidarity with Türkiye together with the international community."

The wife of Turkmenistan’s ex-president and current chairman of the People’s Council, Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedov; the wife of the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Sibel Tatar and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, mother of Qatar's emir, expressed condolences for those killed and wished recovery to the injured in separate calls with Erdogan.

At least 40,642 people have been killed and over 108,000 injured in two powerful earthquakes that rocked southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, according to the latest official figures.

The 7.7- and 7.6-magnitude earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 11 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Elazig and Sanliurfa.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Zambia and Congo committed Saturday to resolve challenges surrounding the hauling of goods through the borders between the two countries, according to a statement.

The move followed a meeting on the sidelines of the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Ethiopia between Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema and his Congolese counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo.

"Our meeting was centered around resolving the challenges at the Kasumbalesa Border Post. We have agreed with my brother and counterpart that we quickly improve operations at the border in order to accelerate the conveyance of goods between our two countries without losing much time," Hichilema said on Facebook.

The meeting came in an aftermath of the marooning of more than 2000 trucks at Kasumbalesa last weekend that was attributed to a “logistical crisis.”

Hichilema visited the border Thursday and pledged to engage Tshisekedi because the situation was “unacceptable.”

"We are delighted with his (Tshisekedi's) assurance that now is time for action and not just mere talk and that he will engage his team to go and address the issue once and for all," said Hichilema.

The two leaders agreed that the two countries were determined to enhance trade and that of the rest of the region.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Tunisian authorities late Saturday ordered the deportation of the Secretary-General of the European Trade Union Confederation, Esther Lynch, following her participation in a rally to back Tunisian trade union activities.

The decision was made on orders from President Kais Saied, according to a statement by the Tunisian Presidency.

The statement noted that Lynch "took part in a demonstration organised by the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) and made comments that constituted blatant interference in Tunisia's internal affairs."

The presidency added that Lynch has 24 hours to leave Tunisia because she has been declared "persona non grata."

Early Saturday, Lynch took part in a rally in Sfax in southern Tunisia to stand by her Tunisian counterparts in defending trade union actions and protest the arrests of Tunisian activists.

"The UGTT is the latest rampart to defend Tunisian democracy. President Saied's authoritarian crackdown against trade unionists will not be allowed to succeed," she said.

Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep political crisis that aggravated the country's economy since 2021 when Saied ousted the government and dissolved parliament.

Since then, Saied held a referendum to draft a new Constitution last July and parliamentary elections in December.

While he insists that his measures were meant to "save" the country, critics have accused the Tunisian leader of orchestrating a coup.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The West was "thoroughly" preparing "provocation" in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Saturday.

"The non-partners were preparing thoroughly, worked out the provocation in detail, fanning the flames of the conflict," Zakharova said in response to comments by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said at the Munich Security Conference that the West was preparing sanctions against Russia several months before Moscow started its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Zakharova said the EU had plans to impose sanctions "at the suggestion of the US" at the end of 2021 "for facilitating the deployment of troops on the territory of Ukraine."

Earlier Zakharova and Russian authorities repeated that Ukraine is a tool in the West's hands and Russia was intentionally pushed into the conflict with its neighbor so that the US and its NATO allies could have the pretext to impose economic sanctions on Moscow and use other pressure methods.

Source: Anadolu Agency

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met China’s top diplomat Wang Yi on Saturday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

The meeting marked the first face-to-face between senior officials of the two countries following the downing of an alleged Chinese spy balloon by the US.

“Just met with the PRC’s (People's Republic of China) top diplomat, Wang Yi. “ Blinken wrote on Twitter. “I condemned the incursion of the PRC surveillance balloon and stressed it must never happen again.”

Blinken said he warned China against providing materiel support to Russia, referring to the war in Ukraine.

“I also emphasized the importance of keeping open lines of communication,” he said.

Earlier Saturday, Wang told the Conference that the downed balloon was civilian and veered off course and entered the US due to westerly winds.

“We asked the US to handle it calmly and professionally based on consultation with the Chinese side,” he said.

“Regrettably, the US disregards these facts and uses advanced fighter jets, and downed a balloon with its missiles. This is, I would say, absurd and hysterical,” he added.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Galatasaray will auction off manager Okan Buruk's signed match-worn special jerseys to benefit victims in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that hit Türkiye last week.

Buruk confirmed on Instagram that he donated his signed Inter Milan and Galatasaray shirts to victims in Türkiye.

"You can deliver the items you want to be included in our auction to Nef Stadium P1 Parking Area," the 49-year-old manager wrote as he encouraged fans to donate.

The auction is organized by Galatasaray in cooperation with Istanbul-based auction house, Dev Muzayede.

Buruk was a pure Galatasaray product, playing for the Istanbul club's youth teams and senior team.

He was one of the main pillars of Galatasaray when the Istanbul side clinched the 2000 UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.

Buruk won seven Turkish Super Lig championships, five Turkish Cups, and a Turkish Super Cup. He retired in 2010.

As manager, Buruk guided Basaksehir to the Istanbul club's first and only Turkish Super Lig title in 2020.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Qatar will stand by Türkiye in good and bad days, its ambassador to Ankara said Saturday amid deadly twin earthquakes.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Nasser bin Jassim Al-Thani told Anadolu that the Qatari leader was the first to visit Türkiye after the disaster.

"Brotherhood requires this. We stand by Türkiye in good and bad times. We have unique relations. Both countries have stood by each other in every difficulty,” he said. “I am confident that Türkiye will overcome this difficult period and continue its ambitious vision and projects.”

Noting that Qatar took action to support quake-hit regions from the first hours of the disaster, he said the Emir of Qatar immediately ordered the establishment of an air bridge where tons of humanitarian aid began to be shipped by planes.

“The people of Qatar have taken action for aid from the very first moments. Aid campaigns and various initiatives have been launched. All charities have made efforts in this direction,” he said.

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani donated nearly $14 million and overall donations reached $46 million, he said.

At least 40,642 people have been killed and over 108,000 injured by two powerful earthquakes that rocked southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, according to the latest figures.

The 7.7- and 7.6-magnitude earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 11 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Elazig and Sanliurfa.

Source: Anadolu Agency