Turkey posts a current account surplus, PKK shelters are vacated in Metina, Houthi strikes disrupt Saudi flights, and Galatasaray host Barcelona in the Champions League.

In this episode

• Turkey Records $4.05 Billion Current Account Surplus in August
• PKK/KCK Leaves Four Shelters in Northern Iraq's Metina Region
• Arab Airlines Suspend Saudi Flights After Houthi Attacks on Riyadh Airport
• Galatasaray to Host Barcelona in Champions League Clash at RAMS Park

Transcript

Deniz: Good morning, it's Tuesday, October 13th. Welcome to Turkey Brief Daily.

Maya: Good morning, everyone!

Deniz: Here's what we have today: a strong current account surplus for Turkey, steps in the terror-free Turkey process, Houthi attacks disrupting flights across the region, and Galatasaray hosting Barcelona tonight.

Maya: Lots to get through. Let's start with the economy.

Deniz: Right. Turkey posted a current account surplus of $4.05 billion in August, according to the Central Bank.

Maya: Hm, that's a big number for one month. What's driving it?

Deniz: Services, mainly. Net services inflows hit $9.7 billion in August. Travel brought in over $7 billion and transportation around $3.3 billion. Official reserves also gained more than $7 billion.

Maya: Sounds good. But the annual picture is different?

Deniz: Exactly. The annualized deficit is still roughly $42 billion. One strong month is encouraging, but it doesn't change the wider trend on its own.

Maya: Fair point. OK, what about security?

Deniz: Security sources say PKK/KCK vacated four shelters in the Metina region of northern Iraq on October 8. The sites were identified as Hebat, Yajk, Sabri and Sason.

Maya: That's the terror-free Turkey process, right?

Deniz: It is. Parliament Speaker Kurtulmuş said no elements of the organization will remain across the border, and that a law on national solidarity passed with 467 votes. But it only takes effect after the organization lays down its arms and dissolves.

Maya: And the Kurdistan Region's president, Barzani, is backing the process too. He called it serious and moving in the right direction.

Deniz: Correct. He said the pace is slower than desired but the direction is right.

Maya: OK, big regional story next — Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Deniz: Yes. Houthi strikes hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Operations are suspended until further notice.

Maya: And that shut down flights across the Gulf?

Deniz: It did. Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Kuwait Airways, EgyptAir — they all cancelled or suspended Saudi routes. Saudi embassies in several countries are running bus services for stranded citizens.

Maya: What's the international response?

Deniz: The UN Human Rights Chief called the attacks appalling and said strikes on civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law. Trump said the Houthis are doing very wrong things.

Maya: And on a lighter note — tonight is Galatasaray versus Barcelona.

Deniz: In the Champions League at RAMS Park. Barcelona have won all nine matches this season, scoring 39 goals. But coach Buruk says his team believes they can cause an upset at home.

Maya: Flick called the atmosphere one of the best in football. Kickoff is 22:00 local time.

Deniz: That's your Tuesday briefing. Find all these stories in full at turkiybrief dot com. Have a good one.

Maya: See you tomorrow!

Voices in this episode are AI-generated. Stories are based on Turkey Brief's reporting.