Fuat Oktay

Turkish defense officials on May 15 distributed protective health supplies to soldiers stationed at a NATO Allied Land Command based in İzmir.

In a statement, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense said it distributed the supplies to 320 allied staff of 23 NATO member countries as part of the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Turkey has sent medical aid to 80 countries to fight the novel coronavirus, the country's vice president said May 14.   

"We have had the opportunity to help 80 countries that have asked us for help so far," Fuat Oktay said in an interview with online channel Yozgat Çamlık TV.  

The main demand from these countries was face masks, gloves and respirators, Oktay said.  

The government considers easing curfew restrictions for elderly people at the age of 65 and over, Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın said on May 2.

"Our president may have some good news on [May 4]. The opinion of the Science Board is to ensure that the group of 65 and older is going outside on certain days and hours," he said, speaking to the TV 24 broadcaster.

The Turkish government is drawing a substantial road map for a gradual normalization and to ease measures taken to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, with preparations to reopen the country by June in a step-by-step long-term approach.

Turkey on April 29 commemorated the 104th anniversary of the historic Ottoman military victory over British forces during World War I.

Turkey's vice president on April 29 commemorated 104th anniversary of the historic Ottoman army victory over British forces during the World War I.

"I commemorate all our martyrs with respect and mercy on the 104th anniversary of Kut al-Amara victory, one of the epics of our glorious army full of historical victories," Fuat Oktay said on Twitter.

The Turkish government is working on a "normalization plan" to gradually open the country's industries without "losing gains made," Vice President Fuat Oktay has told daily Hürriyet.

Oktay said that even though Turkey is showing a downward trend, it is still early to give good news ahead of Eid al-Fitr holiday, which follows the holy month of Ramadan.

At least 40 civilians, including 11 children, were killed on April 28 in a YPG/PKK terrorist attack in northwestern Syria, Turkey's Defense Ministry said.

At least 47 others were also wounded in the attack in the Afrin city center carried out using a bomb-rigged fuel tanker, the ministry said in a tweet.

Turkish officials and international leaders condemned a terrorist attack by the YPG in Afrin in northwestern Syria that killed dozens of civilians, including children on April 28.

Turkey is working hard to bring back its nationals stranded abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic while working to stem its further spread, said the nation's vice president on April 23. 

"Currently we have nearly 26,000 citizens who have applied [for evacuation] from 73 countries," Fuat Oktay told Anadolu Agency.