It comes after Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to reconvert the symbolic world heritage site back to a mosque during an election rally last year.

Hagia Sophia can be reconverted to mosque, Turkish court rules

Turkey’s current leader President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the time had come to re-convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque.

Turkey's highest court poised to rule on Hagia Sophia mosque status 

An explosion at a fireworks factory in northwestern Turkey has injured at least 56 people, officials have said.

Dozens injured in Turkish firework factory explosion

The sound of baas and bells could be heard as the animals made their way through the streets.

Marauding sheep take over Turkish city streets during lockdown

The UN official's comments as more babies, schoolchildren and innocent civilians are being hit by the unrelenting Syrian conflict.

UN official on deadly clashes in Idlib: 'Biggest crisis in the world today'

Turkey opened its borders with Europe last week, triggering days of violent clashes.

Clashes erupt on Greek-Turkish border as migrants seek entry

Turkey has made good on an earlier threat to open its borders to people wishing to cross into Europe.

Thousands of migrants search for ways to cross Greek border with Turkey

A video showing the Greek coast guard confronting a small dinghy carrying migrants to Greece was shared by the Turkish government.


Greek coast guard fire warning shots towards migrant boat

The UN’s International Organisation for Migration said thousands of people were hoping to reach the EU.

13,000 mass at Turkey-Greece border after escalation in Syria fighting

A recent air strike was the most serious escalation between Turkish and Russian-backed Syrian forces.

Thousands head for Greek border amid rising tensions over Syria airstrike

A Turkish government spokesman said Turkey could "no longer able to hold refugees" after a spike of violence on the Syrian border.

Turkey, Russia hold talks amid fears of all-out war in Syria

At least 22 Turkish soldiers have been killed in an airstrike by government forces in Idlib, Syria.

Deaths of Turkish soldiers in Syria airstrike prompts emergency security meeting

The second avalanche slammed into a mountain road, trapping many others under heavy snow.