Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – July 20, 2022

Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments around the world.

Türkiye's president and his Russian and Iranian counterparts gathered in Iran's capital Tehran for the 7th Trilateral Summit meeting in the Astana format to discuss recent developments in Syria, the fight against terrorist groups there, the humanitarian situation in the country and the voluntary return of Syrians to their homes.

In a joint statement issued following their meeting, the leaders "rejected all attempts to create new realities on the ground" under the pretext of fighting terrorism, including "illegitimate self-rule initiatives."

They also expressed their determination to stand against "separatist agendas aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and threatening the national security of neighboring countries," including through cross-border attacks and infiltrations.

The three leaders added that security and stability in the region can only be achieved on the basis of the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated that Türkiye is determined to root out terrorist organizations in Syria that threaten its security.

Erdogan said the YPG/PKK terrorist organization is trying to divide Syria with external support, adding "it must be clearly understood that there is no room for separatist terrorism and its extensions in the future of our region."

In a related development, Ankara and Tehran have agreed to fight against terrorism in all its forms, according to a joint statement released Tuesday after a meeting of Turkish and Iranian leaders in the scope of the seventh meeting of the Türkiye-Iran High Level Cooperation Council to discuss bilateral relations and enhance cooperation.

Also according to the joint statement, the two leaders emphasized their determination to take full advantage of existing and further bilateral mechanisms to prevent the existence and activities of terrorist organizations and organized crime networks across their common borders.

Holding a separate one-on-one meeting with Putin ahead of the 7th trilateral summit meeting in the Astana format, Erdogan remarked that Russia's approach towards Türkiye's mediation on getting Ukrainian grain out of Black Sea ports was "positive."

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar disclosed that Türkiye's process to acquire F-16 fighter jets from the US is continuing despite the recent passage of legislation in the US House of Representatives.

"The process continues. We will continue our work in military, political and diplomatic terms. Our hope is that common sense prevails and reasonable and logical solutions emerge," Akar said.

Continuing its increasingly efficient and resolute war on the PKK terrorist organization, Türkiye "neutralized" at least seven PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said.

German Ambassador to Türkiye Jurgen Schulz was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday after the official vehicle of the Turkish Consulate General in Stuttgart was set on fire late Monday.

Schulz was reminded that the perpetrators of the attack are expected to be caught and brought to justice as soon as possible, the sources said.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said that Europe's current heatwave is breaking records, detrimentally impacting people's health, the economy, agricultural production and tourism, and the trend is likely to become more frequent for decades.

"The negative climate trend will continue, at least until the 2060s, independent of our success in climate mitigation efforts," he said.

Hans Kluge, the head of WHO Europe, warned that rapidly escalating COVID-19 cases amid reduced virus surveillance point to a challenging autumn and winter.

The US State Department's 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report exposed that the PKK terrorist organization continued to forcibly recruit children to use them in conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

"Multiple sources report the PKK and People's Protection Units (YPG) operating in the IKR and Sinjar continued to recruit and use children," said the report.

The report also said that roughly 25 million people are victims of human trafficking worldwide.

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted Tuesday to approve Sweden and Finland's NATO memberships, setting up a vote in the wider chamber.

Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, warned Washington of "forceful countermeasures" if US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan.

He also called on Washington to "stop creating tensions over the Taiwan Strait."

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued a decree Tuesday to appoint Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as the country's new prime minister to form a new government.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that Australian teenager Yusuf Zahab, who was wrongfully detained at a prison in Syria's northeastern city of Al-Hasakah which is under the PKK/YPG terror group's control, has died.

"Tragically, the reported death of teenager Yusuf Zahab should be no surprise to Australia and other governments that have outsourced responsibility for their nationals held in horrific conditions in northeast Syria," said Letta Tayler, associate crisis and conflict director at HRW. -