Turkish Press Review

Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.



Turkish dailies covered Tuesday the country's National Security Council on Monday, regarding "possible threats" and additional security on the Syrian border. 



The four-hour long meeting chaired by Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan was among the most critical in recent years, VATAN claimed. 



Two scenarios were discussed at the council, the paper said. One was providing military support to opposition forces fighting against Daesh. The other was establishing a secure border, i.e. a buffer zone, with Syria. 



The paper also reported that Daesh had planted mines on the Syrian side of the border, which, the paper claims, were set only 20 meters from Turkish soldiers' guardrooms.  



MILLIYET said Ankara wanted to clear Daesh forces from the Syrian town of Jarabulus - recently seized by the group. "However, Ankara also wants to prevent the YPG [People's Protection Units] from taking control of Jarabulus," the paper claimed. 



Turkey considers the YPG - the military wing of the Syrian Democratic Union Party, or PYD - a terrorist group along with outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. Therefore, Turkish authorities have repeatedly voiced concern over the possibility of YPG's gaining territory and power in northern Syria. 



 "Actions aiming to change the demographic structure and terrorist acts targeting the civilian population living in the region are alarming," said a statement issued after Monday's National Security Council, "ed by HURRIYET. 



In the past few weeks, Turkey has been witnessing a massive inflow of Syrian refugees from the Syrian city of Tal Abyad fleeing clashes between Daesh and YPG fighters.



The pro-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Union Party is being accused of attempting to change northern Syria's demography by singling out the country's Turkmen minority, a Syrian Turkmen politician has claimed.



"We can't sit back and watch our southern border," headlined SABAH pointing to Turkey's determination in "not tolerating the establishment of a new state in the northern part of Syria". 



In other news, most dailies also reported on Israeli forces blocking the third Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters. 



Israeli forces blocked the Third Gaza Freedom Flotilla's Marianne ship in international waters and captured at least one of the ships participating in it, forcing it to land in the Israeli port of Ashdod, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said Monday.



Headed to Gaza Strip from Sweden, the Marianne shipwas reportedly aiming to deliver its cargo of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, when the Israeli defense forces intercepted it, HABER TURK reported. 



The flotilla, invited by Palestinians through numerous organizations, had around 35 people on board, including an Israeli Arab parliamentarian and former president of Tunisia Moncef Marzouki, who were trying to reach the blockaded Gaza Strip.



YENI SAFAK claimed that another ship from the flotilla would head to the Gaza Strip once it received permission from Greece.



"The ship will head Gaza once it overcomes some administrative barriers and procedures," Ramy Abdu, chairman of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor told the paper. "The Greek administration is facing pressure from the Israel occupation and its supporters."



Financial paper DUNYA covered the confusion in Greece after the citizens ran to ATM machines as banks are to remain closed until next Monday. 



The referendum, which is to take place on Sunday was originally was called by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in a tweet sent on Saturday. It was then voted by the Greek parliament on Sunday.



The referendum is intended to offer a choice between accepting the final bailout terms offered by the European Commission.



But DUNYA cited Turkish investors who have declared that they were not especially pessimist about the financial crisis in Greece.



Instead, the paper said, they see an opportunity as rival Greek businesses may find themselves in a precarious situation. - İstanbul