First large-scale attack on PKK launched

The message from Gül has been particularly noted internationally as his speech at PACE was the president's first international public appearance since his election in late August.

Oct. 7

13 soldiers martyred in clashes with PKK

The outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists martyred 13 Turkish soldiers in the southeastern province of Şırnak, which increased calls for a cross-border operation into northern Iraq where the PKK terrorists are enjoying a safe haven. The recent incident sent shockwaves across Turkey with Turkey's patience being stretched to its limits at the latest loss of life -- all the more so because the soldiers were all in their early 20s.

Oct. 21

Another PKK attack shocks Turkey

The outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists attacked a military unit in Dağlıca village in the eastern province of Hakkari, killing 12 soldiers and increasing pressure on the Turkish government to stage attacks against PKK camps in Iraq. Eight soldiers were also reported to be missing. The attack came four days after Turkey's Parliament overwhelmingly passed a motion authorizing its military to launch an offensive into northern Iraq against hideouts of the PKK.

Oct. 30

Gül holds Republic Day reception

A reception given by President Abdullah Gül at the Çankaya presidential palace on the occasion of the 84th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey attracted famous faces from politics to sports. This reception was the first hosted by President Gül in the company of his wife, Hayrünnisa Gül.

Nov. 4

PKK releases abducted soldiers

The outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists released eight Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq two weeks after capturing them in an attack inside Turkey. The release came before Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with President George W. Bush in Washington to discuss a possible cross-border offensive against the terrorists group. Nov. 5.

Nov. 5

Erdoğan-Bush hold critical talks on PKK fight

Amid mounting impatience among the public, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with US President George W. Bush at the White House on Nov. 5 to ask for US support in the fight against the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Bush, facing Turkish threats of a military strike against PKK terrorists in Iraq, told Erdoğan that he was committed to countering the terrorists and offered to share real-time intelligence with Ankara. Erdoğan made clear he wanted concrete action from Washington to combat the PKK, which has killed dozens of Turkish soldiers in recent attacks over the past weeks.

Nov. 21

Turkey makes it to Euro Championship

Kahveci scored in the first half to help Turkey get a 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, sending the national soccer team to next year's European Championship. With the win, Turkey grabbed second place in Group C ahead of Norway, which beat last-place Malta 4-1. Greece had already won the group and secured a spot in the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Dec. 8

Migrants' journey ends in tragedy

Over 50 people aboard a boat carrying at least 85 would-be illegal migrants drowned when the vessel sank off Turkey's Aegean coast. Local governor Orhan Şefik Güldibi said the boat is believed to have capsized and sunk off Seferihisar, south of İzmir. The migrants were reportedly aboard an overcrowded 15-meter boat and were traveling in rough weather.

Dec. 10

New YÖK head appointed

President Abdullah Gül approved the appointment of a moderate professor as head of the country's powerful Higher Education Board (YÖK). Sociology Professor Yusuf Ziya Özcan from Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) was named chairman of YÖK.

Dec. 16

Turkey launches first large-scale attack against PKK

After the government handed over authority to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) on Nov. 28 to carry out a military incursion into northern Iraq to crack down on outlawed PKK bases, the military carried out its first large-scale cross-border attack in the early hours of Dec. 16. Turkish warplanes, which took off from airbases in the eastern provinces of Malatya and Diyarbakır as well as from other bases located in Turkey's western provinces, pounded PKK bases, including the terrorist group's headquarters in the Kandil Mountains. The Turkish military operations continued throughout the week. In a statement on Dec. 25, the General Staff said between 150 and 175 members of the outlawed PKK were killed in a Dec. 16 operation against the group's bases in northern Iraq, saying that more than 200 PKK targets were also destroyed in the large-scale aerial strikes. Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt confirmed that the US shared intelligence with Turkey for Dec. 16 attack. The attacks attack came after intense diplomatic efforts by the Turkish government to convince the international community that Turkey has the right under international law to defend itself in the wake of stepped up PKK violence, which killed dozens of Turkish soldiers as well as civilians over the past few months. Analysts praised the TSK for carrying out such an operation in such difficult terrain with success as well as the government for its determination and common sense in fighting the PKK.

Dec. 17

Mevlana commemorated on anniversary of death

Şeb-i Arus (the Night of Union), the anniversary of the death of Mevlana Muhammed Jelaluddin Rumi, a Sufi saint and founder of the Mevlevi order of Sufi dervishes, was marked with ceremonies held in Konya. President Abdullah Gül, Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Republican People's Party (CHP) leaders attended the ceremonies.

Turkey votes for reform package

Turkish citizens resoundingly approved sweeping constitutional reforms to elect the country's president by popular vote and to stage general elections every four years. Turkey's Supreme Election Board (YSK) said that with all of the votes counted in the nationwide referendum, 68,92 percent backed the government-sponsored changes while 31,08 percent voted against.

Tragic plane crash kills 57

An Atlasjet plane that crashed on a mountain in southwest Turkey killing all 57 people on board in early hours of Nov. 30 caused intense grief, sorrow and shock in the entire country. The 165-seat MD 83 plane, manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, crashed before it was due to land in the city of Isparta. Among the passengers there were six scientists from the Boğaziçi and Doğuş Universities.

Peres, Abbas boost peace hopes in Turkey

Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas expressed hope in Ankara for a key international conference scheduled to be held in Annapolis to discuss peace efforts in the Middle East and ways to re-launch negotiations between the two sides, taking a concrete step toward cooperation ahead of the Annapolis conference.

Parliament passes Iraqi motion

The Turkish Parliament overwhelmingly approved a governmental motion on Oct. 17 that sought parliamentary authorization for a cross-border operation into Iraq to crush outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) bases there. Parliament voted 507-19 in favor of empowering the government to order the military to cross into Iraq over a one-year period, Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan announced in Parliament.