Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
Demolition Continues at Coastal Businesses in Kocaçalış, Fethiye
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Demolition orders issued for businesses in the Kocaçalış area of Fethiye’s Çiftlik neighborhood are now being carried out, as operators continue dismantling their establishments at their own expense. The Fethiye Municipality has given business owners until December 1 to complete the process, but uncertainty looms over what will happen to the coastline once the clearances are finished.
The actions follow earlier decisions declaring that businesses in the area fall within the officially designated coastal border. Landowner and operator Zeyyad Hekimci said that property holders have repeatedly suffered losses due to shifting shoreline determinations and legal reversals over the years.
Hekimci explained that the family’s land deeds were first issued in 1952, when 2,500 decares of land stretching “from the sea to the forest, from Karagedik to Kargı” were sold by the state to the Çiftlik Cooperative under his grandfather, Ömer Hekimci.
According to Hekimci, a miscalculation later caused 154 decares of their registered land to be incorrectly classified within the coastline. Although the Supreme Court once confirmed this error, allowing them to regain the title deed in 2010, the situation changed again following the political upheaval in 2016. A renewed case in 2017 reversed their previous victory, resulting in the loss of the land once more.
He said operators built facilities only after obtaining approvals through the 2017 zoning amnesty, receiving building permits, utility access, and door numbers from the municipality. After the court decision invalidated the title deeds, however, these structures again became categorised as illegal.
Hekimci noted that substantial payments have also been made to the state for unpaid rent:
- 2.5 million TL between 2017 and 2022
- 9.5 million TL between 2022 and 2025
Despite paying these amounts, they were unable to secure operating permits.
“Now the municipality rightfully wants to demolish these illegal buildings,” he said. “To avoid causing further financial strain to the municipality or damage to national property, we are carrying out the demolitions ourselves.”
Addressing rumors circulating in the region, Hekimci stated that their goal is to secure a lease for the land so it is not transferred to another party. He expressed confidence in both public institutions and the municipality:
“We believe the Fethiye Municipality, the Environment and Urbanization authorities, and the state will consider our situation. There are claims that this land will go to someone else, even mentioning former MP Hasan Özyer, but I do not believe the municipality or Mr. Özyer has such intentions.”
As demolition continues along the Kocaçalış coastline, residents and operators remain uncertain about future use of the area, awaiting clarity from state and municipal authorities.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiye-koca-calista-kiyi-isletmeleri-yikimi-devam-ediyor
MUSKİ Cleans 77 Kilometers of Streams in Fethiye and Seydikemer
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Water and Sewerage Administration (MUSKİ) teams have completed 77 kilometers of stream cleaning in Fethiye and Seydikemer as part of seasonal preparations aimed at reducing flood risks.
According to a statement from the MUSKİ General Directorate, teams accelerated their efforts in line with Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras’s emphasis on environmental protection, improved urban aesthetics, and safeguarding life and property.
The statement read: “We are continuing our work in line with our Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras’s commitment to environmental awareness, increasing and improving urban aesthetics, and protecting the safety of life and property. In this context, our stream cleaning efforts continue unabated. This year, as part of our work in the Fethiye and Seydikemer districts, we cleaned a total of 77,100 meters of streams, including 59,600 meters in Fethiye and 17,500 meters in Seydikemer. Our efforts to regulate water flow, reduce flood risk, and protect environmental health will continue uninterrupted throughout our city.”
The cleared streams are expected to improve water flow and help prevent blockages during periods of heavy rainfall, contributing to safer and more resilient infrastructure across the region.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/muski-fethiye-ve-seydikemerde-77-km-dere-temizligi-yapti
Fines Issued to Those Who Randomly Dumped Garbage in Fethiye
Fethiye, MUĞLA – As part of continued environmental cleanup efforts in Fethiye, several citizens who were found to have dumped garbage randomly were issued administrative fines. Individuals who left waste on the ground or outside designated dumpsters were identified through photo traps placed at strategic locations across the district.
Following these detections, authorities imposed fines on those responsible, reinforcing the municipality’s commitment to curbing illegal dumping and protecting the environment.
Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca highlighted the success of the district-wide cleanup initiative, noting that the campaign—launched simultaneously across Fethiye during the summer—has already yielded significant results.
“Clean Fethiye” Becomes a Model for Turkey
Mayor Karaca said: “Our ‘CLEAN FETHİYE’ campaign is successfully underway. We are expanding our cleaning campaign with the campaign we launched simultaneously throughout the district during the summer months. This comprehensive effort, aimed at preventing littering on the ground and outside of garbage containers, has become an exemplary campaign throughout Turkey. We remain committed to making Fethiye a spotlessly clean city. I thank all our citizens who show concern and invite those who litter outside of garbage containers and on the ground to protect this city together.”
The municipality emphasized that environmental monitoring and photo-trap surveillance will continue across Fethiye to deter illegal dumping and maintain the district’s growing reputation as a clean and environmentally responsible community.
Source: Fethiye TV
New Directive Prohibits Feeding of Stray Dogs Across Istanbul
Istanbul – The Istanbul Governor’s Office has issued a new directive prohibiting the feeding of stray dogs in public areas across the city, marking a significant step in its broader initiative to regulate stray animal management and safeguard public health.
The circular, titled “Procedures and Actions to Be Taken Regarding Stray Animals,” was published following the Provincial Animal Protection Board meeting held on Nov. 5, 2025. The directive reiterates the responsibilities of municipalities under Law No. 5199 on the Protection of Animals and related regulations, underscoring the crucial role of local authorities in managing the city’s stray animal population.
According to the Governor’s Office, municipalities across Istanbul have been allocated plots to establish natural habitats and shelters for stray animals. The directive calls for the rapid completion of planning, tendering, and construction phases for these facilities. It also urges municipalities to intensify efforts to collect, sterilize, rehabilitate, and relocate stray dogs to these designated areas in full compliance with the law.
A central mandate of the directive is the prohibition of uncontrolled feeding of stray dogs in sensitive locations, including:
- Health care and educational institutions
- Airports
- Places of worship
- Parks and gardens
- Roadsides and playgrounds
Authorities say the ban aims to curb rising pest and rodent populations, reduce environmental pollution, prevent ecological imbalance, and mitigate risks to public health and safety.
The directive assigns supervisors the responsibility of ensuring the feeding ban is strictly enforced, warning that any loss of life or property damage linked to stray animals will be interpreted as a municipal failure to meet legal obligations. Such failures could carry administrative repercussions.
The Istanbul Governor’s Office called on both residents and local authorities to fully comply with the new measures, stressing the importance of coordinated action in creating a safer, healthier, and more balanced urban environment.
Gendarmerie Launch Drone-Assisted Operation Against Sand Thieves in Manavgat
Manavgat, ANTALYA – Gendarmerie units in Antalya’s Manavgat district have launched a drone-assisted operation targeting sand thieves who have caused extensive environmental damage along the coastline.
Acting on citizen reports received on Nov. 21, teams carried out a raid in the Mendirek area, where they seized trucks and heavy machinery found actively loading sand. Several drivers attempted to flee despite warnings, but were apprehended after a brief chase. Three suspects were detained, and efforts are continuing to locate two additional individuals connected to the operation.
As part of the investigation, authorities impounded five trucks and three excavators believed to have been used in large-scale sand theft in the Ulualan region. One suspect, identified as Seydi İ., was arrested and subsequently sent to prison.
Drone footage recorded along the Boğaz coastline revealed the scale of the environmental destruction, capturing deep pits and severe disruption to the natural shoreline.
Gendarmerie teams in Manavgat have now implemented 24/7 monitoring, utilizing drones, ground patrols, and newly installed camera traps—especially around the pine grove area, where access will be strictly controlled. Officials say these measures aim to halt further environmental damage and protect the region’s fragile coastal ecosystem.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/gendarmerie-cracks-down-on-sand-theft-in-antalya-beach-216084
Life of World’s Tallest Man to Be Made Into Documentary in London
Mardin – Sultan Kösen, the 2.51-meter-tall man from Mardin who has held the Guinness World Record for the world’s tallest living person for 16 years, is set to take part in an international documentary detailing his remarkable life story.
Born in the rural village of Dede in Derik district, Kösen entered the Guinness Book in 2009, earning recognition not only for his extraordinary height but also for having the world’s largest hands (27.5 cm) and size 61 feet. His records have remained unchallenged ever since.
Having visited more than 136 countries, Kösen continues to attract global attention. He will travel to London on Nov. 25 for a week-long visit, during which filming for the documentary—produced by an international company—will take place. The film will trace his journey from his childhood in southeastern Turkey to his rise as a world-renowned figure.
During his London stay, Kösen will also return to the Guinness World Records headquarters for an official height measurement, reaffirming his long-held title. He is also expected to sign Guinness Book copies at several landmark locations across the city.
Kösen said he takes great pride in representing Turkey worldwide:
“For nearly 16 years, I’ve held this record. My hands and feet are also the largest in the world. It is an honor, something that fills me with pride,” he said. “We introduce our beautiful Turkey and our culture to the world. I am proud and happy. The world already knows Sultan Kösen, and soon everyone will know even more.”
His manager and interpreter, Mehmet Veysi Bora, stated that Kösen will again appear in the 2026 edition of the Guinness Book. He added that the documentary aims to offer a rare and intimate look into Kösen’s life, while academic teams plan to conduct health examinations for an upcoming scientific publication.
“Interest in Kösen is unmatched wherever we go,” Bora said. “Even celebrities ask to take photos with him. This shows the unique fascination he inspires.”
Neolithic Structure Resembling Amphitheater Unearthed in Southeastern Turkey
Şanlıurfa, TURKEY – Archaeologists have uncovered a Neolithic architectural structure resembling an amphitheater at the Karahantepe archaeological site in southeastern Turkey, revealing new clues about early communal life and ritual practices.
Located within Tek Tek Mountains National Park, around 46 kilometers from Şanlıurfa’s city center, the site continues to yield significant discoveries as part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Legacy for the Future” project. The initiative aims to uncover early ritual spaces, including figurines and structures used by some of the world’s first settled communities.
Excavation director Necmi Karul told Anadolu that settlement at Karahantepe began around 9400 BCE and lasted until the 8th millennium BCE. Researchers have identified three major settlement phases, evolving from round-plan structures to quadrangular buildings with rounded corners, and eventually to true-cornered constructions. All phases contained both public and domestic buildings.
Karul said the most striking recent discovery is a 17-meter-wide structure containing seated human figurines placed on the floor and embedded in the walls—evidence of a symbolic transition.
“These are very unique finds, showing that prehistoric people increasingly focused on human figurines over time, while earlier periods were dominated by animal symbolism,” Karul explained.
The building contains focal points featuring broad, three-tiered seating, echoing the layout of an odeon or amphitheater, suggesting it functioned as a venue for communal gatherings rather than a restricted ritual space.
Karul noted that the structure’s full layout will become clearer as restoration work continues and standing stones are re-erected in their original positions. Evidence collected so far shows that large groups gathered within the building, with human and animal figurines deliberately arranged at key locations.
“This allows us to draw certain conclusions about the function of these buildings. Had they been temples, their function would have been more limited. The primary purpose appears to have been bringing people together,” he said.
He added that this architectural concept can be seen as a precursor to later amphitheaters and odeons:
“With the advent of settled life, there was a need for spaces that facilitated communal living, which likely led to the construction of such buildings.”
Archaeologists expect further finds to deepen understanding of social and symbolic life in one of the world’s earliest settled regions.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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