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The skyline of central Ankara
Image: Diego Cupolo/NurPhoto/picture allianceImage: Diego Cupolo/NurPhoto/picture alliance

Ankara

Ankara is the capital of Turkey, located in Central Anatolia. It is Turkey's second-largest city behind Istanbul. It has been the capital of the Republic of Turkey since its founding in 1923, replacing Istanbul.

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All Content on this topic

An official checks ballot papers during local elections in Ankara, Turkey

Erdogan faces test to keep cities

Polls have closed in Turkey's local elections, which are seen as a "referendum" on Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership.
PoliticsMarch 31, 2019
The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

Turkey's local elections pose test for Erdogan

Local elections in Turkey have caused concern for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party.
PoliticsMarch 30, 2019
Flags of Turkey and United States

US Consulate worker spy trial begins in Turkey

Metin Topuz has been accused of espionage and "attempting to overthrow the Turkish government and constitution."
Law and JusticeMarch 26, 2019
A Kurdistan Workers' Party flag

Turkey calls in Belgian ambassador over PKK ruling

Turkey says a Belgian court decision blocks the prosecution of people with links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK.
Law and JusticeMarch 11, 2019
Journalists Jörg Brase and Thomas Seibert

Denied accreditation, German reporters leave Turkey

Berlin has condemned the decision as unacceptable, saying journalists should be allowed to do their work unhindered.
PoliticsMarch 10, 2019
Syrien Parlamentswahl

Ballots over bullets

In the midst of an ongoing civil war, Syrians are still trying to practice democracy — and women are paving the way.
SocietyJanuary 4, 201919:02 min
Rescue workers evacuate injured passengers after a high-speed train crashed in the Turkish capital, Ankara

High-speed train crash in Turkey

A Turkish high-speed train has collided with a locomotive in the capital, Ankara. Numerous casualties are reported.
Cars and TransportationDecember 13, 2018
Blue mosque with the flag of the European Union

Ankara aims to defuse tensions with Europe

As Turkey seeks to mend ties with Europe, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is making his first visit to the country
PoliticsSeptember 5, 2018
United States Embassy in Ankara, Turkey

US Embassy in Turkey targeted by gunfire

Four to five gunshots were reportedly fired from a vehicle, smashing a window.
PoliticsAugust 20, 2018
A Turkish Air Forces warplane takes off from Incirlik Air Base in Adana, southern Turkey, in April 2015

Defense minister: Turkey will remain in Iraq

The defense minister's comments come as the Turkish army said its warplanes had hit 12 Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq.
ConflictsJune 12, 2018
Türkei Menschenrechtsdenkmal in Ankara

Ankara statue becomes 'reflection of fascism'

For a year, police have barricaded off an Ankara statue that's become a symbol for the eroding human rights in Turkey.
Human RightsMay 22, 2018
German Ambassador to Ankara Martin Erdmann

German envoy barred from Kurdish politician's trial

Ambassador Martin Erdmann was at the courthouse to attend the hearing of former HDP head Selahattin Demirtas.
PoliticsFebruary 14, 2018
Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG fighters stand near a check point

Turkey-US relations 'entering a risky period'

Turkey sees US support for Kurdish fighters in Syria as an outrage with tensions set to rise further still.
ConflictsJanuary 15, 2018
Türkei Sondergipfel der Organisation für Islamische Kooperation (OIC)

OIC summit rallies Erdogan’s base

Critics say Turkey's rhetoric over the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital is more about election politics.
PoliticsDecember 13, 2017
A Turkish soldier holding a gun

Turkey seeks arrest of 360 military personnel

Tens of thousands of people have been rounded up in the wake of last year's coup attempt.
PoliticsNovember 29, 2017
Türkei Polizei verhindert Gay Pride-Parade in Istanbul

Ankara bans LGBTI events

A ban on all LGBTI events in Ankara has been issued by its governor's office, citing public safety.
PoliticsNovember 19, 2017
Turkey LGBTI film festival poster

Ankara bans German-language LGBTI festival

Turkish authorities have banned the German LGBTI Film Days festival, citing public security concerns.
CultureNovember 16, 2017
Melih Gökcek

Ankara's controversial mayor resigns

Ankara's mayor has stepped down, becoming the sixth mayor to resign as Turkey's Erdogan purges his party's ranks.
PoliticsOctober 28, 2017
US consulate in Instanbul

US stops non-immigrant visa services in Turkey

The US and Turkey have ceased issuing visas to each other's nationals in the latest spat between the two NATO allies.
PoliticsOctober 8, 2017
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the Presidential Palace in Ankara

Putin and Erdogan pursue Idlib de-escalation

The two leaders may back rival factions but they were showering each other with praise in Ankara.
ConflictsSeptember 29, 2017
German and Turkish flags

Turkey summons German envoy once again

Bilateral tensions show no sign of abating, with Berlin's envoy being summoned by Ankara for the 17th time in two years.
PoliticsSeptember 18, 2017
Deutschland Köln | 25. Internationales Kurdisches Kulturfestival in der in der Deutzer Werft

Turkey summons German envoy over Kurdish rally in Cologne

Ankara has summoned Germany's ambassador after more than 10,000 Kurds rallied in Cologne in solidarity with Iraqi Kurds.
PoliticsSeptember 16, 2017
Melih Gökcek

Ankara mayor accuses German Greens leader of 'treachery'

Mayor Melih Gokcek has accused German politician Cem Özdemir of being an "Armenian servant" and traitor.
PoliticsAugust 19, 2017
Türkei Kundgebung Jahrestag Putschversuch in Ankara

Turkey marks failed coup anniversary

One year after the failed coup, masses of people across Turkey have gathered to showcase national unity. In one of his speeches President Erdogan said he would "rip the heads off" of those who tried to end his more than a decade-long rule.
PoliticsJuly 16, 201701:04 min
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Turkey: Dissents on hunger strike

Turkish artists and intellectuals petitioned the government to release two teachers who have been on a hunger strike for 111 days. The two went on hunger strike in Ankara in March to protest the loss of their jobs after Turkey sacked a raft of public sector workers following a failed coup in July last year.
PoliticsJuly 11, 201701:13 min
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A long 'March for Justice' reaches Istanbul

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Istanbul to mark the end of a 25-day march. The protesters walked 450 kilometers for justice. The main opposition leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu hopes to unite Turkey’s different opposition groups.
PoliticsJuly 10, 201701:15 min
Türkei Protestmarsch

On the road with Turkey's march for justice

Ongoing purges and the jailing of elected officials have spurred tens of thousands to march from Ankara to Istanbul.
PoliticsJuly 7, 201710 images
An archive image of Greek coast guard officers pointing guns

Greece fires at Turkish freighter

A maritime shooting incident in the Aegean has added to strains between NATO allies Greece and Turkey.
PoliticsJuly 3, 2017
Türkei Proteste nach dem Referndum zu Atatürks Grab

Turks take protests to Ataturk's mausoleum

This week, Turks normally mark the founding of their government, but celebrations have given way to protests.
PoliticsApril 24, 20179 images
Türkei Referendum Präsident Erdogan

Erdogan to lead a divided Turkey

Erdogan may have more power after Sunday's referendum, but his nation is bound for turmoil, reports Diego Cupolo.
PoliticsApril 17, 2017
Türkei Wahlverhalten in Ankaras Armenviertel

Voter uncertainty in Ankara's slum areas

Many voters in Ankara's poorer districts remain undecided ahead of Turkey's referendum.
PoliticsApril 11, 201710 images
Duisburg Moschee DITIB

German concern over Turkish teachers

Turkey has been sending teachers to Germany for decades. Are they spreading Turkish government propaganda?
EducationApril 4, 2017
Deniz Yücel

Yucel lawyers to take case to Ankara's top court

Laywers for Deniz Yucel have lodged an appeal against his arrest with Turkey's Constitutional Court.
CrimeMarch 30, 2017
Rex Tillerson Anti -IS- Koalition Washington

US top diplomat to discuss fight against IS in Ankara

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's visit in Turkey comes at a politically sensitive time.
PoliticsMarch 29, 2017
Symbolbild Deutschland - Türkei

German official: Ankara spying 'unacceptable'

Turkey's intelligence agency has been accused of spying on hundreds of individuals and organizations in Germany.
PoliticsMarch 28, 2017
Köln Moschee DITIB

Imams take DITIB to court

After the coup attempt last year, they were called back to Turkey. Now they've filed charges against the organization.
PoliticsMarch 24, 2017
EU Türkei Migration Flüchtlingsabkommen

EU-Turkey deal works, but increasingly fragile

Last year’s 3 billion euro agreement to assist refugees in Turkey and improve border controls is making an impact.
PoliticsMarch 18, 2017
Die deutsche und die türkische Flagge

German-Turkish relations put to the test

Turks reflect on the heightened tensions between Berlin and Ankara. Diego Cupolo reports.
PoliticsMarch 3, 2017
Türkei Orden eines NATO Generals aus der Türkei

Turkish military officers flee Erdogan

Turkish NATO officers seek asylum in Belgium. Erdogan says they were involved in the failed coup.
PoliticsFebruary 16, 201705:40 min
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TV footage shows anti-IS operation

Turkish anti-terror police have detained hundreds of suspected members of the 'Islamic State' group on Sunday.
PoliticsFebruary 5, 201700:33 min
Türkei Treffen Angela Merkel & Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Crisis mode

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Turkey was an exercise in problems and discomfort.
PoliticsFebruary 2, 2017
Türkei Angriff Tourismus

'IS'-inspired attacks could be next for Turkey

Security observers worry that recent attacks could lead to IS-inspired assaults as ideological radicalism rises.
ConflictsJanuary 28, 2017
Türkei Orden eines NATO Generals aus der Türkei

Turkish officers 'seeking asylum' in Germany

Dozens of Turkish soldiers have sought asylum in Germany for fear of Ankara's purges, according to German media.
ConflictsJanuary 28, 2017
Syrien Türkische Panzer

Turkey's changing Syria policy

What are Turkey’s goals concerning Syria and what do the Astana talks mean?
ConflictsJanuary 6, 2017
Istanbul Reina nightclub nach Anschlag

Turkey's increasingly toxic atmosphere

The terror attack at the Reina nightclub in Istanbul took place against the backdrop of discord, says Kersten Knipp.
TerrorismJanuary 3, 2017
Türkei Ankara - Aysel Tugluk spricht zur Presse

Pro-Kurdish HDP party co-chair arrested

Aysel Tugluk leading member of the pro-Kurdish HDP has been arrested on terrorism charges.
ConflictsDecember 26, 2016
US embassy in Ankara

US closes missions to Turkey

The US embassy in Ankara says US missions in Turkey will be shut after shots were fired outside the embassy overnight.
ConflictsDecember 20, 2016
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Russian ambassador shot dead in Turkey

Andrei Karlov, Russian ambassador to Turkey, was shot dead in Ankara this afternoon. The killer was allegedly taking revenge for the Russian's bombing of Syria.
PoliticsDecember 19, 201601:46 min
Türkei Russischer Botschafter in Ankara bei Angriff schwer verletzt

Russia's ambassador to Turkey shot dead

Russia's Ambassador Andrei Karlov has been shot dead in the Turkish capital, Ankara, according to news reports.
ConflictsDecember 19, 2016
Istanbul Fahne Logo CHP

Inside Europe: Kurdish politicians in crosshairs of Ankara

The Turkish authorities have been carrying out raids and detaining people following last weekend's terrorist attacks. On Saturday night two suicide bombers killed 44 people and injured more than 150 when they blew themselves up outside a soccer stadium in Istanbul.Kurdish militants claimed responsibility. Our Turkey correspondent, Dorian Jones, talks to Helen Seeney.
PoliticsDecember 16, 201604:30 min