Ahead of the NATO summit: Ankara tightens the security situation – Hundreds of arrests in just a few days

Ankara – 06.07.2026: In the Turkish capital, the security situation has been significantly tightened just days before the NATO summit. According to consistent reports from national and international media, authorities have temporarily detained numerous people in recent days. The authorities speak of coordinated operations against suspected extremists and groups considered prone to violence. Opposition representatives and human rights organizations, however, criticize that peaceful protests are also being suppressed under the pretext of security and that public space is being heavily regulated.

Additional checkpoints have been set up in central districts, special units are patrolling transport hubs, and temporary bans on gatherings are in force for several squares. Eyewitnesses describe extensive searches of bags and vehicles, sometimes including document checks as early as when leaving the subway. According to opposition sources, dozens to hundreds of people were reportedly detained in connection with small unauthorized demonstrations against the alliance. No concrete, independently verifiable figures are available; state authorities are not providing an overall tally and refer to ongoing proceedings.

Human rights organizations are calling for compliance with rule-of-law standards in light of the international event. Human Rights Watch criticized the broad application of protest regulations before the event and called for transparent criteria for interference with freedom of assembly. Legal experts emphasize that short-notice bans and extensive exclusion zones must be validly justified before the courts. The authorities counter that preventive measures are necessary in times of heightened risk to protect delegations, residents, and visitors.

The NATO summit is scheduled for July 7 and 8. Delegations from member states are expected, including numerous heads of state and government and the alliance’s new leadership. According to NATO, the agenda includes defense capability on the eastern flank, support for Ukraine, air defense, and cooperation in the arms sector. The meeting will involve extensive traffic restrictions; several main roads in Ankara will be temporarily closed, and access to the congress center will be permitted only for accredited vehicles. Hotels near government buildings are protected by security cordons, and airspace is subject to additional measures during peak hours.

Local media report that the city administration and police have set up hotlines for residents to inform them about closures, diversions, and last-minute changes. Business owners in the affected districts expect declines in revenue, and some businesses have announced reduced opening hours for the summit days. At the same time, the opposition continues to call for peaceful demonstrations, but stresses that protests are possible only in authorized areas. It is unclear whether additional measures will remain in force beyond the conclusion of the summit; authorities refer to an ongoing assessment of the situation.