★ TURKIYE

Welcome to the Early Phoenix Middle East Reports, compiled by ACLS Research Team and Editor Rania Kisar. Share your opinion analysis with us and let your voice be heard. Email comments and suggestions to [email protected] or tweet @levantstudies

1.Ankara to Host Second Round of Ethiopia-Somalia Talks to Ease Tensions

Turkiye hosted the second round of talks between Ethiopia and Somalia on Monday, August 12, following the deterioration of relations after Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland in January 2023. The initial talks, mediated by Turkiye, were prompted by a request from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The discussions aim to address the concerns of both nations, particularly regarding Ethiopia’s use of Somaliland’s Red Sea coast for commercial and military purposes, which Somalia deems illegal and a violation of its sovereignty. The first round of talks had set the groundwork for these ongoing efforts to find a middle ground.

2.Turkiye Equips Libya’s Al-Watiya Air Base with Advanced Air Defense System  

Turkiye has supplied Libya’s Al-Watiya Air Base with the advanced HİSAR-O+ air defense system, replacing the older MIM-23 Hawk system. The HİSAR-O+ is known for its ability to counter various aerial threats, including drones, helicopters, and high-speed attack aircraft, under all weather conditions. The previous system, MIM-23 Hawk, played a crucial role during the 2019-2020 conflict, effectively neutralizing multiple unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters. The new deployment also includes the AN/MPQ-64 radar system, enhancing the detection and tracking of potential threats. This move underscores Turkiye’s continued military support to Libya’s Government of National Unity.

3.Turkiye Lifts Instagram Ban After Meta Agrees to Cooperate with Authorities

Turkiye announced that it would lift its week-long ban on Instagram after Meta, the platform’s parent company, agreed to cooperate with Turkish authorities on content concerns. The ban, criticized by Human Rights Watch as a violation of free expression, was imposed due to Instagram’s alleged failure to remove posts deemed offensive by the Turkish government, including those related to Palestinian issues and content considered illegal under Turkish law. The ban has reportedly cost Turkiye approximately 57 million dollars per day, affecting millions of users and businesses relying on the platform.