An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 that occurred in Türkiye’s Kahramanmaraş province was also felt in Syria’s cities of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. The Syrian Ministry of Health announced that the death toll from the earthquake has risen to 237 dead and 516 injured.
Many buildings were destroyed in Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Tartous. The Syria Civil Defense stated that they need urgent help to face the effects of the earthquake, calling for international support and assistance.
Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized the international community for failing to stop Israel’s attacks on Gaza, where he said “babies, children, and the elderly die of starvation.” He called for urgent UN reform, arguing the current system cannot end oppression in the Middle East.
Erdoğan also highlighted Türkiye’s role in supporting regional peace efforts in Syria, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, stressing cooperation through the Turkic States Organization and major transport projects like the Middle Corridor and Development Road. He said Türkiye seeks a just global order based on diplomacy, trade, and stability.
TR