Wildfires continue, opposition leader faces new suit and more - Today's updates, July 17

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issues a statement rejecting Israel’s unlawful claims over the status of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and the seizure of Palestinian authorities. 

It calls on UNESCO, relevant UN agencies, and the international community to take action against this violation of international law and humanitarian values.

The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) reported that its total reserves rose to $166.2 billion in the week ending July 11, marking a 1.1% increase from $164.4 billion a week earlier, according to its latest International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity Developments report released Thursday.

Net reserves excluding currency swaps—often considered a clearer measure of the central bank’s effective foreign currency position—rose by $5.5 billion to reach $41 billion.

During the same week, Türkiye’s foreign currency assets increased by 2.5% to $73.8 billion, while gold reserves edged up by 0.1% to $84.7 billion. The country’s reserve position at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), including Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), declined by 0.4% to $7.7 billion.

Türkiye’s short-term external debt rose by 1.2% to $170 billion in May, according to the Turkish central bank.

Short-term debt owed by banks reached $73.9 billion, while other sectors owed $66.8 billion. Foreign exchange loans taken by banks fell 7.8% to $12 billion, and non-residents’ FX deposits dropped 1.2% to $18.8 billion.

Trade credit liabilities rose slightly to $62.1 billion, while cash loan liabilities jumped 25.5% to $4.7 billion.

When including all debt due within one year, total short-term external debt stood at $222.3 billion.

Prosecutors have filed an indictment against journalist Fatih Altayli seeking a minimum five-year prison sentence on charges of "threatening the president" over remarks he made on his YouTube channel.

Altayli was arrested on June 21, 2025, following comments made in a broadcast prior to that date in which he referenced Ottoman sultans and historical events. The journalist mentioned how Anatolian geography had become a "grave" for various rulers and empires, referenced the execution of former Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, and stated "Dear president, please step down now." These remarks were subsequently circulated on social media and interpreted as threats against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In his defense, Altayli argued that his words were distorted, that he was providing historical information, and that he had no intention to threaten. However, prosecutors charged him under articles 310/2 and 106/1 of the Turkish Penal Code, arguing his statements constituted a threat. Altayli has remained in custody since his June 21 arrest, with the delay in preparing the indictment becoming a subject of debate.

Summer heat has started to take hold across Türkiye with the southeast of the country experiencing particularly intense heatwaves.

In Sirnak, temperatures were recorded as high as 47 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

Istanbul experienced close to 40 degrees Celsius in recent weeks, and temperatures are expected hover around 34 degrees Celsius mark in the upcomig days.

Firefighting teams contained a forest fire that had been raging in Tekirdag since Tuesday. Flames had spread over a wide area, reaching Canakkale's Gelibolu by Wednesday.

Just across the Marmara Sea, a new blaze erupted Thursday night in Balikesir, leading authorities to evacuate two neighborhoods. Efforts to contain the fire are ongoing.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel has been charged with insulting and threatening a public official, amid ongoing investigations targeting several key opposition figures.

The investigation was launched after Ozel's remarks following his visit to former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in jail. Imamoglu faces charges of corruption.

Ozel, in his speech, had taken aim at the prosecutor overseeing the Imamoglu case.