Recep Erdogan

Russian fighter aircraft have carried out a rocket strike against Turkish military personnel in Syria, reported the Turkish military headquarters. The incident took place near the city of al-Bab.

Three military officers were killed and 11 others wounded.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced at a press conference in Ankara that, during talks held with Turkish PM Recep Erdogan, she underlined the importance of freedom of the media and freedom of speech, reported Reuters, cited by BTA.

The European Union will send urgently 30 border police officers to Greece's northern border, reported the online edition of Spiegel, cited by BGNES.

The edition reminds that, at the moment, Greece has about 60,000 refugees, while there are about 3 million in neighbouring Turkey.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated on Friday that Turkey will take the necessary steps against Athens after the decision of the Greek Supreme Court not to extradite the eight Turkish officers who fled the country after the coup attempt on July 15, reported Daily Sabah, citing TRT Haber.

An armed man opened fire against police vehicles only hours after unknown persons shot at the building of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The shooter threw a hand grenade as well before running off, reported BNR.

No victims or injured people have been reported.

The Turkish Parliament made the way to the holding of a referendum in the spring which will determine whether the powers of the president will be extended.

The draft for amendments to the constitution was approved by deputies at second reading late on Friday night.

Turkey's Parliament has adopted another four articles of the constitutional reforms package which will extend the powers of President Recep Erdogan, reported Reuters.

Thus, the country is moving ever closer to becoming an authoritarian state.

If the changes are approved at the referendum as well, Erdogan will rule the country until 2029.

Turkey has stated to senior employees of the US administration that it has not received sufficient support in its fight against Islamic State in the last month and a half and it expects full support for driving out the jihadists out of the Syrian city of al-Bab, said the spokesperson of the Turkish President Recep Erdogan, cited by Reuters.

Nearly 30 Turkish policemen will be tried by a court in Istanbul on charges of participating in the coup attempt on July 15, reported AFP.

This will be the first trial against suspected plotters in the city.

Indictments have been prepared against over 1,200 people, while the total number of arrested persons is about 41,000.

President Recep Erdoğan spoke the truth when he said recently that Turkey is a European country. This may appear odd to those who predicate their outlook on religious factors. However, the geo-political geography that a country belongs to has to be considered from a much broader perspective.