2020 in Turkey
Incumbents
- President: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
- 29th Speaker of the Grand National Assembly: Mustafa Şentop
- President of the Constitutional Court: Zühtü Arslan[http://www.constitutionalcourt.gov.tr/inlinepages/judges/President.html Prof. Dr. Zühtü ARSLAN / President], Constitutional Court official website.
- Chief of the Turkish General Staff of the Armed Forces: Yaşar Güler
- Government: 66th government of Turkey
- Cabinet: Fourth Erdoğan Cabinet
== Events ==
=== Ongoing ===
=January=
- January 2: Turkey reports a new refugee influx and possible crisis, as 250,000 Syrians flee Syria for Turkey, due to Syrian government attacks on rebel groups around Idlib.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey/erdogan-says-up-to-250000-syrians-flee-toward-turkey-as-crisis-worsens-idUSKBN1Z10J2 Erdogan says up to 250,000 Syrians flee toward Turkey as crisis worsens.] January 2, 2020. Reuters.
- January 6: The new building of the National Organization Agency (MİT) opened in Etimesgut, Ankara.{{cite web | url = https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/mitin-yeni-hizmet-binasi-kale-acildi-3520781 | title = MİT'in yeni hizmet binası 'KALE' açıldı | date = January 6, 2020 | publisher = Yeni Şafak | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200107170857/https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/mitin-yeni-hizmet-binasi-kale-acildi-3520781 | archive-date = January 7, 2020 | access-date = January 18, 2020}}
- January 7: Turkey signs maritime deal with Libya.[https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2020/01/08/turkey-libya-maritime-deal-upsets-mediterranean-energy-plan/#53bcf9886bee Turkey-Libya Maritime Deal Upsets Mediterranean Energy Plan] by Ariel Cohen, forbes.com, January 8, 2020.
- January 11: A 4.9-magnitude earthquake occurred in Silivri.{{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/silivride-ayni-noktada-deprem-6120784 |title=Silivri'de aynı noktada deprem! - Son Dakika Haberler |date=12 January 2020 |publisher=Milliyet.com.tr |access-date=2020-04-04}}
- January 15: Turkey lifts its ban on Wikipedia, due to a ruling by the Turkish High Constitutional Court.[https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/01/15/world/europe/ap-eu-turkey-wikipedia.html Turkey Lifts More Than 2-Year Block of Wikipedia], By The Associated Press, January 15, 2020
- January 24: 2020 Elazığ earthquake{{cite news |title= SON DAKİKA: Elazığ'da 6,8 şiddetinde deprem! 21 kişi hayatını kaybetti, 1030 kişi yaralandı |url= https://www.haberturk.com/elazig-da-6-8-buyuklugunde-deprem-2562287 |newspaper= Habertürk |date= January 24, 2020 |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200126021213/https://www.haberturk.com/elazig-da-6-8-buyuklugunde-deprem-2562287 |archive-date= January 26, 2020 }}
=February=
- February 4–5: 2020 Van avalanches: two avalanches occurred near Bahçesaray, killing at least 41 people.{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/vanda-cig-altindakileri-arayan-ekiplerin-uzerine-cig-dustu/1724940 |title=Van'da çığ altındakileri arayan ekiplerin üzerine çığ düştü |publisher=Aa.com.tr |access-date=2020-04-04}}
- February 5: Pegasus Airlines Flight 2193 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Izmir to Istanbul. The Boeing 737-800 operating the route skidded off the runway while landing at the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. Three people were killed, 179 people were injured, and the aircraft was destroyed.{{cite web|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-haberleri-sabiha-gokcende-pistten-cikan-ucak-uce-bolundu-3-kisi-hayatini-kaybetti-41440146 |title=Son dakika haberleri: Kaza sonrası Pagasus'tan ilk açıklama: An itibarıyla can kaybı bulunmuyor |publisher=Hurriyet.com.tr |date=2020-02-06 |access-date=2020-04-04}}
- February 23: 2020 Iran–Turkey earthquakes: the first one occurred on 23 February, near Khoy in north-west Iran, close to the border with Turkey, killing 9 people in Başkale, Van. It hit at 9:23 a.m. local time (05:53 UTC) with a magnitude of 5.8 {{M|w|link=yes}}. About 10 hours later the same area was hit by another major earthquake of 6.0 {{M|w}}.{{cite web | title=Depremin vurduğu Van'dan bir acı haber daha | website=Depremin vurduğu Van'dan bir acı haber daha | date=2020-02-26 | url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/depremin-vurdugu-vandan-bir-aci-haber-daha-5647198/ | access-date=2020-04-04}}
- February 27: During the peak of Operation Dawn of Idlib 2, the Syrian Arab Air Force, and possibly the Russian Air Force, conducted two airstrikes against a Turkish Army convoy in Balyun, Idlib. The strikes resulted in the deaths of 34 Turkish soldiers according to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.{{cite web |url=http://www.mavikocaeli.com.tr/haber-idlib-ten-korkunc-haber-tabur-vuruldu-iddiasi-71106.html |title=İdlib'ten korkunç haber: 9 şehit çok sayıda yaralı |publisher=Mavikocaeli.com.tr |access-date=2020-04-04 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (see: 2020 Balyun airstrikes)
=March=
- March 1: Turkey started conducting Operation Spring Shield.{{cite web|author=İbrahim Yeniyurt |url=https://www.haber.com/hulusi-akar-acikladi-bahar-kalkani-harekati-basladi-275860/ |title=Hulusi Akar açıkladı: Bahar Kalkanı Harekatı başladı! |date=March 2020 |publisher=Haber.com |access-date=2020-04-04}}
- March 11: The Ministry of Health confirms the first COVID-19 case in Turkey.{{cite web | title=Sağlık Bakanı Türkiye'de ilk kez koronavirüs vakasına rastlandığını açıkladı | website=birgun.net | date=2020-03-10 | url=https://www.birgun.net/haber/saglik-bakani-turkiye-de-ilk-kez-koronavirus-vakasina-rastlandigini-acikladi-291283 | language=tr | access-date=2020-04-04}} (see: COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey)
- March 12: As part of the governmental measures for controlling the pandemic, primary and secondary schools were closed for 1 week from 16 March. Universities were also closed for 3 weeks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/tum-okullar-tatil-ediliyor-41467870|title=Son dakika haberi: Okullar tatil mi? Milli Eğitim Bakanı Selçuk detayları basın toplantısıyla açıkladı|first=Erdinç Çelikkan, Erdinç ÇELİKKAN /|last=ANKARA|website=www.hurriyet.com.tr|date=13 March 2020 }}
- March 17: The first death from COVID-19 occurred in Turkey.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/saglik-bakani-acikladi-turkiyede-corona-virusu-vakasi-kaca-yukseldi-corona-virusunden-ilk-olum-gerceklesti-6168050|title=Corona virüsünden ilk ölüm gerçekleşti! Türkiye'de vaka sayısı kaça yükseldi? Sağlık Bakanı açıkladı|website=Milliyet|date=18 March 2020 }}
- March 21: A curfew was imposed by the government for people over 65.{{Cite web|url=https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/65-yas-ve-ustu-ile-kronik-rahatsizligi-olanlara-sokaga-cikma-yasagi-genelgesi|title=65 Yaş ve Üstü ile Kronik Rahatsızlığı Olanlara Sokağa Çıkma Yasağı Genelgesi|website=www.icisleri.gov.tr}}
- March 27: All educational programs were suspended until April 30 as a result of governmental measures for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.meb.gov.tr/uzaktan-egitim-30-nisana-kadar-devam-edecek/haber/20585/tr|title=UZAKTAN EĞİTİM 30 NİSAN'A KADAR DEVAM EDECEK}}
=April=
- April 3: A curfew was imposed by the government for people under 20.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/sokaga-cikma-yasagi-kac-yasina-kadar-18-yas-altina-sokaga-cikma-yasaga-mi-geliyor-6180434|title=Sokağa çıkma yasağı yaşı kaç? Cumhurbaşkanı açıkladı! 20 yaş altına sokağa çıkma yasağı mı geldi?|website=Milliyet|date=4 April 2020 }}
- April 10: As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, a curfew was declared in 31 provinces.{{cite web|url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/sokaga-cikma-yasagi-bu-gece-sona-eriyor-475618.html|title=Sokağa çıkma yasağı sona erdi|publisher=TRT Haber|date=12 April 2020|access-date=13 April 2020}}
- April 17: In order to control the spread of COVID-19, a curfew was declared in 31 provinces which was set to last over the weekend.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-31-ilde-2-gunluk-sokaga-cikma-yasagi-basladi-6191445|title=Son dakika | 31 ilde 2 günlük sokağa çıkma yasağı başladı|website=Milliyet}}
- April 20: Another curfew was announced by the government in 30 metropolitan municipalities and Zonguldak, restricting movement across the cities between April 23 and 27.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabah.com.tr/yasam/2020/04/22/son-dakika-haberi-sokaga-cikma-yasaginin-detaylari-aciklandi-hafta-sonu-marketler-ve-bakkallar-acik-mi-23-nisanda|title=23 Nisan sokağa çıkma yasağı ne zaman başlayacak, bitecek? 4 günlük sokağa çıkma yasağı ne zaman, saat kaçta başladı?|website=Sabah}}
- April 27: Another curfew was announced by the government in 30 metropolitan municipalities and Zonguldak, restricting movement across the cities between 1–3 May.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/1-mayis-tatil-mi-kac-gun-tatil-olacak-1-mayis-sokaga-cikma-yasagi-olacak-mi-6199985|title=1 Mayıs tatil mi, kaç gün tatil olacak? 1 Mayıs'da sokağa çıkma yasağı olacak mı?|website=Milliyet}}
= June =
- June 1: Prohibitions and measures introduced to combat the COVID-19 pandemic started to be gradually lifted. The normalization process began.{{cite web |url=https://m.sabah.com.tr/yasam/2020/05/26/son-dakika-normallesme-sureci-asama-asama-ortaya-cikiyor-bayramdan-sonra-normallesme-takvimi-ile-tarihleri-nasil-olacak?paging=2|title= Normalleşme süreci ve takvimi|date=25 May 2020}}
- June 14: An earthquake of 5.7 {{M|w|link=y}} hit Bingöl, Karlıova. One person was killed.{{cite web|url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/amp/gundem/son-dakika-bingolde-5-7-buyuklugunde-deprem-6234928|title=Bingöl'de 5.7 büyüklüğünde deprem oldu|date=14 June 2020}}
- June 15: Turkey launched an air attack on the areas used as a base by terrorists in northern Iraq under Operation Claw-Eagle.{{cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/pence-kartal-operasyonu-nedir-pence-kartal-operasyonunda-yasananlar-ve-gelismeler-5878986/|title=Pençe-Kartal Operasyonu|date=15 June 2020}}
- June 17:
- Turkey launched Operation Claw-Tiger in Northern Iraq.{{cite web |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/tskdan-irakin-kuzeyine-pence-kaplan-operasyonu/1879453|title=Pençe-Kaplan Operasyonu|date=17 June 2020}}
- Turkish diplomat Volkan Bozkır is elected President of the 75th United Nations General Assembly. He was the sole candidate.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-17|title=Turkish diplomat elected President of historic 75th UN General Assembly|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/06/1066562|access-date=2020-06-18|website=UN News|language=en}}
= July =
- July 3: An explosion occurred in the fireworks factory in Hendek. 6 workers died and 114 workers were injured.{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/turkce/live/haberler-dunya-53275592 | title = Sakarya Hendek'teki havai fişek fabrikasında patlama | publisher = BBC | date = 3 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200704043456/https://www.bbc.com/turkce/live/haberler-dunya-53275592 | archive-date = 4 July 2020}}
- July 6: 450 hectares of forest were burned in the Ilgardere district of Gelibolu, Çanakkale. Transportation was stopped in the Dardanelles.{{cite web|url=https://www.birgun.net/haber/gelibolu-da-orman-yangini-450-hektar-alan-yandi-307409|title=Gelibolu'da Orman Yangını|date=6 July 2020|newspaper=BirGün}}
- July 7: The elections for choosing the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly was held. Mustafa Şentop was re-elected.{{cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/son-dakika-tbmm-baskanligi-secimi-basladi-5916871/|title=Mustafa Şentop yeniden Meclis Başkanı seçildi|newspaper=Sözcü|date=7 July 2020|access-date=14 July 2020}}
- July 10: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan annuls the Hagia Sophia's museum status, converting the site back into a mosque.{{Cite news|date=2020-07-10|title=Turkey turns iconic Istanbul museum into mosque|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53366307|access-date=2020-07-13}}
=August=
- August 21:
- Turkey has found 320 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the biggest ever discovery in the Black Sea, and hopes to begin production by 2023. The Turkish drilling ship Fatih, had been carrying out exploration operations in the Tuna-1 sector in the western Black Sea for the past month.{{cite news |last1=Fielder |first1=Jez |title=Turkey's Erdogan announces discovery of large natural gas reserve off its Black Sea coast |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/21/turkey-s-erdogan-announces-discovery-of-large-natural-gas-reserve-off-its-black-sea-coast |access-date=22 August 2020 |publisher=Euronews |date=21 August 2020}}
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed the decision to transfer the administration of the Chora Church to the Directorate of Religious Affairs and to open it for worship as a mosque, and the decision was published in the T.C. Resmî Gazete.{{cite web | url = https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/son-dakika-istanbuldaki-kariye-camii-ibadete-aciliyor-5998871/ | title = Kariye Camii ibadete açılıyor | newspaper = Sözcü | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200821084710/https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/son-dakika-istanbuldaki-kariye-camii-ibadete-aciliyor-5998871/ | archive-date = 21 August 2020}}
- August 23: Flood and landslide disaster occurred in Giresun Province and seven of its districts. 6 people died.{{cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/son-dakika-giresunda-yasanan-selde-sehit-sayisi-2ye-vefat-eden-kisi-sayisi-ise-6ye-yukseldi-6002841/|title=Giresun'da yaşanan selde vefat eden kişi sayısı 6|newspaper=Sözcü|access-date=29 August 2020}}
- August 25: Ahlat Mansion was opened during the 949th anniversary of Manzikert Victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.sabah.com.tr/video/haber/cumhurbaskani-erdogan-ahlatta-etkinliklere-katiliyor-kulliyeyi-bahceli-ile-birlikte-acacak-video|title=Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, külliyeyi Bahçeli ile birlikte açacak|newspaper=Sabah|access-date=29 August 2020}}
=September=
- September 3: Otoyol 21, connecting Ankara and Tarsus, was put into service.{{cite web|url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/ekonomi/ankara-nigde-otoyolu-aciliyor-2-saate-dusecek-6296720|title=Ankara-Niğde otoyolu açıldı}}
- September 17: Turkey's first flying car introduced as Cezeri, took off in Teknofest Gaziantep.{{cite web|url=https://www.baykarsavunma.com/haber-TURKIYENIN-ILK-UCAN-ARABASI-CEZERI-HAVALANDI.html|title=Türkiye'nin ilk uçan arabası Cezeri, havalandı.|access-date=2020-10-26|archive-date=2020-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919181613/https://www.baykarsavunma.com/haber-TURKIYENIN-ILK-UCAN-ARABASI-CEZERI-HAVALANDI.html|url-status=dead}}
- September 21: In-person education following the COVID-19 pandemic started gradually, covering first grade and pre-school students.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnnturk.com/amp/turkiye/son-dakika-meb-21-eylul-okullar-acilacak-mi-21-eylulde-okullar-nasil-olacak-hangi-siniflar-aciliyor|title=21 Eylül'de okullar açılıyor.|publisher=CNN Türk}}
- September 24: An earthquake of 4.2 magnitude occurred off Tekirdağ and Marmaraereğlisi.{{cite web|url=https://m.haberturk.com/son-dakika-istanbul-da-deprem-24-eylul-kandilli-rasathanesi-ve-afad-son-depremler-2813994-amp|title=24 Eylül Tekirdağ deprem}}
- September 27: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that Turkey would support Azerbaijan during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.{{cite web|url=https://m.bloomberght.com/erdogan-turk-milleti-her-zaman-oldugu-gibi-azerbaycanli-kardeslerinin-yanindadir-2265289|title=Türk Milleti Her Zaman Azerbaycan'ın Yanındadır|date=27 September 2020 |publisher=bloomberght}}
=October=
- October 11: Forest fires that started in Belen, Hatay, spread to other districts. 400 hectares of forest burned.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/tr/hataydaki-yang%C4%B1nla-ilgili-g%C3%B6zalt%C4%B1lar/a-55233413|title=Hatay'da orman yangınları|publisher=Deutsch Welle}}
- October 12: In-person education was enforced for students in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th and 12th grades.{{cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/12-ekimde-hangi-siniflar-acilacak-9-10-ve-11-siniflar-da-okula-gidecek-mi-6076080/|title=12 Ekim'de açılan sınıflar|publisher=Sözcü}}
- October 17: Erdoğan announced that 85 billion cubic meters of natural gas was discovered in the Black Sea.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-54585247|title=Karadeniz'de bulunan doğal gaz rezervi 405 milyar metreküpe yükseldi.|newspaper=BBC News Türkçe }}
- October 26: A suicide bombing perpetrated by the PKK occurred on Fener Street in İskenderun,{{cite news |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/explosion-hits-iskenderun-town-in-southern-turkey/2019979 |publisher=Anadolu Agency |first1=Lale Koklu |last1=Karagoz |first2=Burak |last2=Milli |title=Explosion hits Iskenderun town in southern Turkey |date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026184903/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/explosion-hits-iskenderun-town-in-southern-turkey/2019979 |archive-date=October 26, 2020}} injuring several people and killing the perpetrator.
- October 30: The 2020 Aegean Sea earthquake with an epicenter close to the Gulf of Kuşadası caused building damages and tsunami on the Turkish west coast. More than 110 people were killed and over 1100 were injured.{{cite web|url=https://www.haberturk.com/izmir-deprem-son-dakika-izmir-de-6-6-buyuklugunde-deprem-2853597|title=İzmir'de deprem|work=Habertürk|date=2 November 2020 }}
=November=
- November 2: In person education started gradually for students, including 5th and 12th grades.{{cite web | url = https://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/son-dakika-haberi-ortaokul-5-lise-9-sinif-okullar-ne-zaman-aciliyor-2-kasim-hangi-siniflar-aciliyor | title = Ortaokul 5 ve lise 9. sınıflar açıldı. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201113082456/https://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/son-dakika-haberi-ortaokul-5-lise-9-sinif-okullar-ne-zaman-aciliyor-2-kasim-hangi-siniflar-aciliyor | archive-date = 13 November 2020}}
- November 5: With the circular issued by the Ministry of Interior, new measures were announced to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web | url = https://www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2020/11/05/son-dakika-haberi-icisleri-bakanligindan-81-ile-yeni-corona-virus-genelgesi-gonderildi-iste-yeni-corona-tedbirleri-nikah-ve-dugun-saatleri | title = 81 ile yeni koronavirüs tedbirleri }}
- November 9: Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak's request for resignation was accepted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Lütfi Elvan was appointed as the new Minister of Treasury and Finance.{{cite web | url = https://www.trthaber.com/m/?news=iletisim-baskanligi-berat-albayrakin-gorevden-af-talebi-kabul-edilmistir&news_id=529559&category_id=1 | title = İletişim Başkanlığı, Berat Albayrak'ın görevden af talebini kabul edilmiştir. | publisher = TRT Haber }}{{cite web | url = https://www.trthaber.com/m/?news=hazine-ve-maliye-bakanligi-gorevine-lutfi-elvan-atandi&news_id=529579&category_id=7 | title = Hazine ve Maliye Bakanlığı görevine Lütfi Elvan atandı. | publisher = TRT Haber }}
- November 15: The Turkish Grand Prix was held for the first time after nine years.{{cite web | url = https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunyadan-spor/lewis-hamilton-turkiye-grand-prixsinde-7-sampiyonlugunu-ilan-etti/2044340 | title = Türkiye Grand Prix'inde Lewis Hamilton şampiyon oldu. | publisher = Anadolu Ajansı | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201115153517/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunyadan-spor/lewis-hamilton-turkiye-grand-prixsinde-7-sampiyonlugunu-ilan-etti/2044340 | archive-date = 15 November 2020}}
- November 18: With the circular issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, curfews and many new measures were introduced to be enforced on weekends, excluding activities occurring between 10:00 am – 08:00 pm.
=December=
- December 10: The ministry of health announced the total number of coronavirus cases in Turkey as 1,748,567.{{cite web|url=https://halktv.com.tr/bakan-kocanin-yarin-aciklanacak-dedi-toplam-vaka-sayisi-aciklanmadi-441595|title=Toplam vaka sayısı açıklandı.}}
- December 14: The United States Department of the Treasury issued sanctions against the Presidency of Defense Industries.{{cite web | url = https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/abdden-turkiyeye-s-400-yaptirim-karari-/2076666 | title = ABD'den Türkiye'ye S-400 yaptırımı kararı | publisher = Anadolu Ajansı | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201214190533/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/abdden-turkiyeye-s-400-yaptirim-karari-/2076666 | archive-date = 14 December 2020}}
- December 30: 3 million units of CoronaVac were delivered to Turkey.{{cite web | url = https://www.haberturk.com/son-dakika-cin-asisi-turkiye-de-2920441 | title = Çin Aşısı Türkiye'de | date = 30 December 2020 | publisher = HaberTürk}}
Deaths
- 17 January – Rahşan Ecevit, politician (b. 1923){{cite news|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/2020/01/17/turkish-politician-writer-rahsan-ecevit-dies-at-age-97 |title=Turkish politician, writer Rahşan Ecevit dies at age 97|date=17 January 2020|access-date=1 April 2020|publisher=Daily Sabah}}
- 19 January – Kazım Ayvaz, wrestler (b. 1938){{cite news|url=https://unitedworldwrestling.org/article/turkish-wrestling-great-kazim-ayvaz-passes-away|title=Turkish Wrestling Great Kazim Ayvaz Passes Away|date=19 January 2020|access-date=1 April 2020|publisher=United World Wrestling}}
- 25 January – Garbis Zakaryan, boxer (b. 1930){{cite news|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/sports/turkeys-first-professional-boxer-zakaryan-dies-at-90/1714721|title=Turkey's first professional boxer Zakaryan dies at 90|date=26 January 2020|access-date=1 April 2020|publisher=Anadolu Agency}}
- 14 February – Hilmi Ok, football referee (b. 1932){{cite news|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/spor/eski-mhk-baskani-hilmi-ok-vefat-etti/1734899|title=Eski MHK Başkanı Hilmi Ok vefat etti|language=tr|trans-title=Former MHK President Hilmi Ok passed away|publisher=Anadolu Agency|date=15 February 2020|access-date=1 April 2020}}
- 17 February – Mustafa Yücedağ, footballer (b. 1966){{cite news|url=https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/oud-pec-zwolle-speler-mustafa-yucedag-53-overleden~aba6dd0f/|title=Oud PEC Zwolle-speler Mustafa Yücedag (53) overleden|language=nl|trans-title=Former PEC Zwolle player Mustafa Yücedag (53) passed away|date=18 February 2020|access-date=1 April 2020}}
- 25 February – Hikmet Köksal, military officer (b. 1932){{cite news|url=https://www.haberturk.com/eski-kara-kuvvetleri-komutanlarindan-hikmet-koksal-vefat-etti-2595463|title=Eski Kara Kuvvetleri Komutanlarından Hikmet Köksal vefat etti|language=tr|trans-title=Hikmet Köksal, one of the former Land Forces Commanders, died|date=26 February 2020|access-date=1 April 2020}}
- 2 March – Suat Yalaz, comic book artist (b. 1932){{cite news|url=https://www.sabah.com.tr/yasam/2020/03/03/kara-muratin-cizgi-romancisisi-abdullah-turhan-ve-karaoglanin-cizeri-suat-yalaz-hayatini-kaybetti-suat-yalaz-kimdir|title=Kara Murat'ın çizgi romancısısı Abdullah Turhan ve Karaoğlan'ın çizeri Suat Yalaz hayatını kaybetti! Suat Yalaz kimdir?|language=tr|trans-title=Kara Murat's comic bookmaker Abdullah Turhan and Karaoğlan's cartoon Suat Yalaz lost their lives! Who is Suat Yalaz?|date=3 March 2020|access-date=1 April 2020}}
- 15 March – Aytaç Yalman, military officer (b. 1940){{cite news|url=https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/aytac-yalmanin-corona-virus-nedeniyle-oldugu-kanaati-olusmustur-bashekimlik-acikladi,_0CqXn7vuUGEvsNACdBPSA|title='Aytaç Yalman'ın corona virüs nedeniyle öldüğü kanaati oluşmuştur' (Başhekimlik açıkladı)|language=tr|trans-title='There is a conviction that Aytac Yalman died because of corona virus' (Chief Physician explained)|date=19 March 2020|access-date=1 April 2020}}
- 20 March –
- Cengiz Bektaş, architect (b. 1934){{cite news|url=https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/kultur-sanat/2020/03/20/mimar-ve-sair-cengiz-bektas-vefat-etti/|title=Mimar ve şair Cengiz Bektaş vefat etti|language=tr|trans-title=Architect and poet Cengiz Bektaş passed away|date=20 March 2020|access-date=1 April 2020}}
- Muhterem Nur, actress and singer (b. 1932){{cite news|url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/cadde/son-dakika-muhterem-nur-hayatini-kaybetti-6169839|title=Son dakika haberi: Muhterem Nur hayatını kaybetti|language=tr|trans-title=Breaking news: Reverend Nur died|date=20 March 2020|access-date=1 April 2020}}
- 24 March – Nihat Akbay, footballer (b. 1945){{cite news|url=https://www.galatasaray.org/haber/kulup/vefat-ve-bassagligi-nihat-akbay/46533|title=Vefat ve başsağlığı Nihat Akbay|language=tr|trans-title=Death and condolences Nihat Akbay|date=24 March 2020|access-date=1 April 2020}}
- 28 March – Fevzi Aksoy, academic and columnist (b. 1930){{cite news |title=Ünlü spor yazarı Fevzi Aksoy Korona virüsten hayatını kaybetti |url=https://www.yenicaggazetesi.com.tr/unlu-spor-yazari-fevzi-aksoy-korona-virusten-hayatini-kaybetti-273289h.htm |access-date=7 April 2020 |publisher=Yeniçağ |date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407002203/https://www.yenicaggazetesi.com.tr/unlu-spor-yazari-fevzi-aksoy-korona-virusten-hayatini-kaybetti-273289h.htm |archive-date=7 April 2020 |language=tr}}
- 31 March – Turhan Kaya, actor (b. 1951)[https://www.posta.com.tr/kurtlar-vadisinin-usta-oyuncusu-turhan-kaya-corona-virusten-hayatini-kaybetti-2247021/ "Kurtlar Vadisi'nin usta oyuncusu Turhan Kaya corona virüsten hayatını kaybetti"] Posta (1 April 2020)
- 2 April – Feriha Öz, pathologist (b. 1933){{cite news |title=Sağlık Bakanı Koca, koronavirüs nedeniyle ölen Prof. Dr. Feriha Öz için başsağlığı diledi |url=https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/saglik-bakani-koca-koronavirus-nedeniyle-olen-prof-dr-feriha-oz-icin-bassagligi-diledi-3532719 |access-date=3 April 2020 |agency=Anadolu Agency |publisher=Yeni Şafak |date=2 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402233633/https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/saglik-bakani-koca-koronavirus-nedeniyle-olen-prof-dr-feriha-oz-icin-bassagligi-diledi-3532719 |archive-date=2 April 2020 |language=tr}}
- 3 April –
- Helin Bölek, singer (b. 1992){{cite web | agency=Associated Press | title=Member of banned Turkish folk group dies after hunger strike | website=The Guardian | date=April 3, 2020 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/03/banned-turkish-folk-group-member-dies-following-hunger-strike | access-date=April 5, 2020}}
- Yusuf Kenan Sönmez, politician (b. 1948){{cite news |title=Yusuf Kenan Sönmez kimdir? Yusuf Kenan Sönmez kaç yaşında ve nereli? |url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/yusuf-kenan-sonmez-kimdir-yusuf-kenan-sonmez-kac-yasinda-ve-nereli-5723671/ |access-date=3 April 2020 |publisher=Sözcü |date=3 April 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200411215841/https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/yusuf-kenan-sonmez-kimdir-yusuf-kenan-sonmez-kac-yasinda-ve-nereli-5723671/ | archive-date = 11 April 2020 }}
- 14 April – Haydar Baş, politician (b. 1947){{cite news |title=Son dakika... Haydar Baş koronavirüs nedeniyle hayatını kaybetti |url=https://www.cnnturk.com/video/turkiye/son-dakika-haydar-bas-koronavirus-nedeniyle-hayatini-kaybetti |access-date=14 April 2020 |agency=Demirören News Agency |publisher=CNN Türk |date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414175534/https://www.cnnturk.com/video/turkiye/son-dakika-haydar-bas-koronavirus-nedeniyle-hayatini-kaybetti |archive-date=14 April 2020 |language=tr}}
- 15 April – Ülkü Azrak, academic (b. 1933){{cite news |last1=Gönel |first1=Güç |title=Prof. Dr. Ülkü Azrak Kovid-19 nedeniyle hayatını kaybetti |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/prof-dr-ulku-azrak-kovid-19-nedeniyle-hayatini-kaybetti/1805708 |access-date=16 April 2020 |agency=Anadolu Agency |date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416043839/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/prof-dr-ulku-azrak-kovid-19-nedeniyle-hayatini-kaybetti/1805708 |archive-date=16 April 2020 |location=Istanbul |language=tr}}
- 27 April – Nur Yerlitaş, fashion designer (b. 1955){{cite news|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/kelebek/magazin/son-dakika-nur-yerlitas-hayatini-kaybetti-41504513/|title=Son Dakika: Nur Yerlitaş hayatını kaybetti|archive-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427133932/https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/kelebek/magazin/son-dakika-nur-yerlitas-hayatini-kaybetti-41504513|newspaper=Hürriyet|date=27 April 2020|access-date=27 April 2020}}
- 3 May – Ömer Döngeloğlu, theologian (b. 1968){{cite web | url = http://www.haber7.com/medya/haber/342161-ramazan-programlari-yeni-yapimlar | title = Ramazan programları, yeni yapımlar... | publisher = Kanal 7 | date = 1 September 2008 | access-date = 11 April 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160820133514/http://www.haber7.com/medya/haber/342161-ramazan-programlari-yeni-yapimlar | archive-date = 20 August 2016}}
- 9 June – Ayşegül Atik, actress (b. 1948){{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/amp/kelebek/magazin/aysegul-atik-hayatini-kaybetti-41536975|title=Son dakika... Ayşegül Atik hayatını kaybetti!|website=Hürriyet|access-date=14 July 2020}}
- 13 June – Ziya Müezzinoğlu, Turkish economist, diplomat and politician (born 1919)
- 7 July – Jale Aylanç, actress (b. 1948){{cite web|title=Oyuncu Jale Aylanç hayatını kaybetti|url=https://www.haberturk.com/oyuncu-jale-aylanc-hayatini-kaybetti-magazin-haberleri-2736571-magazin|work=Habertürk|language=tr|date=7 July 2020|access-date=8 July 2020}}
- 14 July – Adalet Ağaoğlu, novelist and playwright (b. 1929){{cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/hayatim/kultur-sanat-haberleri/adalet-agaoglu-hayatini-kaybetti/|title=Adalet Ağaoğlu hayatını kaybetti|access-date=14 July 2020|date=14 July 2020|newspaper=Sözcü}}
- 17 July – Seyfi Dursunoğlu, performing artist and comedian (b. 1932){{cite news|url=https://www.sabah.com.tr/magazin/2020/07/17/son-dakika-seyfi-dursunoglu-hayatini-kaybetti|title=Son dakika: Huysuz Virjin lakaplı Seyfi Dursunoğlu hayatını kaybetti|access-date=17 July 2020|date=17 July 2020|newspaper=Sabah}}
- 31 August – Haldun Boysan, actor (b. 1958){{cite web|url=http://www.gazetevatan.com/unlu-oyuncu-haldun-boysan-hayatini-kaybetti-1339863-magazin/|title=Ünlü oyuncu Haldun Boysan hayatını kaybetti|access-date=31 August 2020|website=www.gazetevatan.com}}
- 15 September – Suna Kıraç, businesswoman (b. 1941){{cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/ekonomi/son-dakika-suna-kirac-hayatini-kaybetti-6038474/|title=Suna Kıraç hayatını kaybetti.|newspaper=Sözcü|access-date=15 September 2020}}
- 16 October – Markar Esayan, author, journalist and politician (b. 1969){{cite web|url=https://m.haberturk.com/markar-esayan-son-yolculuguna-ugurlandi-haberler-2844298-amp|title=Markar Esayan son yolculuğuna uğurlandı.}}
- 18 October – Bekir Coşkun, journalist, author (b. 1945){{cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/son-dakika-bekir-coskun-son-yolculuguna-ugurlandi-6091048/|title=Bekir Çoşkun son yolculuğuna uğurlandı.}}
- 26 October – Osman Durmuş, physician and former Minister of Health (b. 1947){{cite web|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/osman-durmus-kimdir-kac-yasinda-vefat-etti-osman-durmusun-hayati-ve-biyografisi-41646587|title=Osman Durmuş vefat etti.}}
- 30 October – Mesut Yılmaz, politician, former prime minister and former leader of the Motherland Party (b. 1947){{cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/son-dakika-mesut-yilmaz-hayatini-kaybetti-6104230/amp/|title=Mesut Yılmaz hayatını kaybetti.}}
- 1 November –
- Burhan Kuzu, politician and lawyer (b. 1955){{cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/son-dakika-burhan-kuzu-vefat-etti-6106933/|title=Burhan Kuzu vefat etti.}}
- Yalçın Granit, basketball player, coach and sports journalist (b. 1932){{cite web|url=https://www.fanatik.com.tr/yalcin-granit-kimdir-kac-yasinda-vefat-etti-yalcin-granit-nereli-2180908|title=Yalçın Granit vefat etti.}}
- 6 November – Timur Selçuk, musician and conductor (b. 1946){{cite web|url=https://www.haberler.com/usta-muzisyen-timur-selcuk-hayatini-kaybetti-13717820-haberi/|title=Timur Selçuk hayatını kaybetti|date=6 November 2020 }}
- 7 November – Gli, European Shorthair cat and an Internet celebrity (b. 2004){{cite web | url = https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ayasofyanin-meshur-kedisi-gli-yasamini-yitirdi-41657008 | title = Ayasoyfa'nın meşhur kedisi Gli yaşamını yitirdi. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201107174756/https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ayasofyanin-meshur-kedisi-gli-yasamini-yitirdi-41657008 | archive-date = 7 November 2020}}
- 19 November – Reşit Karabacak, wrestler (b. 1954){{cite web | url = https://www.ntvspor.net/diger-sporlar/resit-karabacak-son-yolcuguna-ugurlandi-5fb676139c9f160e0c6de3a6 | title = Reşit Karabacak son yolculuğuna uğurlandı. | publisher = NTV Spor | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201119134251/https://www.ntvspor.net/diger-sporlar/resit-karabacak-son-yolcuguna-ugurlandi-5fb676139c9f160e0c6de3a6 | archive-date = 19 November 2020}}
- 17 December – Tuncay Mataracı, politician and former minister (b. 1935){{cite web | url = https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/eski-bakan-tuncay-mataraci-hayatini-kaybetti-6172196/ | title = Eski bakan Tuncay Mataracı vefat etti | publisher = Sözcü | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201217203356/https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/eski-bakan-tuncay-mataraci-hayatini-kaybetti-6172196/ | archive-date = 17 December 2020}}
- 22 December – Özkan Sümer, former footballer and coach (b. 1940){{cite web | url = https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/eski-trabzonspor-kulubu-baskanlarindan-ozkan-sumer-vefat-etti-1800476 | title = Eski Trabzonspor Kulübü Başkanlarından Özkan Sümer Vefat Etti. | publisher = Cumhuriyet | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201222145706/https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/eski-trabzonspor-kulubu-baskanlarindan-ozkan-sumer-vefat-etti-1800476 | archive-date = 22 December 2020}}
- 25 December – Engin Nurşani, folk musician (b. 1984)
See also
{{Wikinews|Category: Turkey}}
{{Portal|Turkey|Current events|Europe|Asia|Modern history}}
=Lists of military officials=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://countrystudies.us/turkey/ Turkey page] at Country Studies website.
{{Years in Turkey }}
{{Asia topic|2020 in}}
{{Europe topic|2020 in}}