A claim suggesting Esra Albayrak, a daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, rejoiced on social media platform X over the deaths of Iranian generals in Israel's attacks on Iran is untrue, Turkey’s Directorate of Communications Center for Countering Disinformation (DMM, @dmmiletisim) said on June 13.

The DMM falls under the presidency’s Communications Directorate.

Esra Albayrak, Erdogan’s elder daughter and a mother of three sons and a daughter, is the wife of Berat Albayrak, who served as economy minister for two years until late 2020.

Interesting bug

When searched on Google, the name Esra Albayrak brings up the X account @EssraTurke as Esra Albrayrak’s account.

It is an interesting bug.

The X account referenced in posts disseminated by Israeli propaganda accounts is entirely unrelated to Esra Albayrak. This is also evident from the profile picture of the relevant account, DDM pointed out.

Screenshot: Partial screenshot of DDM’s X post.

Pro-Israel propaganda accounts have previously used the @EssraTurke account to carry out information manipulation, according to DMM.

Tweet: Propaganda accounts go to work.

Sweary Erdogan awakes

Erdogan has condemned Israel’s attack on Iran and extended his condolences to Iran, the directorate added.

On June 13, after Israel unleashed its military offensive on Iran in the early hours, bne IntelliNews noted: “As of midday (CEST)... Erdogan, remained silent on the Israeli attack on Iran, while his deputy president, press secretary at his Justice and Development Party (AKP), his foreign ministry and Turkey's main opposition party (in other words, the level of opposition that Erdogan permits in Turkey to give the regime apparent legitimacy) issued strong statements.”

“Erdogan could make a few million if he was to be paid per swear word he has directed at Israel’s PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, over the years. However, do not be fooled by 'easy' media headlines. All through the Iraq and Syria operations of recent decades, all of the US' proxies in the Middle East, including Turkey's government, have served in harmony with Washington's requirements,” this publication added.

Later in the day, Erdogan (@RTErdogan) insulted Netanyahu in a tweet. The DMM refers to this tweet in its communication on Erdogan’s condemnation of the attack and proffered condolences.

Torrent of cussin' on camera

It is a well-known habit of Erdogan to remain silent in the immediate wake of a sensational development. But in the coming days, Turkey's finest will launch into insults and curse and cuss right before the cameras.

In a reflexive response, the media will provide the expected coverage and put forward "deep analysis" on whether tensions between Turkey and Israel will lead to a military engagement.

Polemics on Israel’s trolls as to whether Erdogan’s daughter showed support for Israel will also up the page views rate for click-crazed newsdesks.

Audiences of the mainstream media will, on the other hand, not hear discussions, for instance, on whether Israel is using the Kurecik Radar Station in Nato member Turkey in military strikes on Iran.

Markets closed, flights cancelled

The war began on a Friday. The markets went into their weekend break. In the coming week, all eyes will be on the course taken by the USD/Turkish lira (TRY) pair (linked to the possible strengthening of the USD as a safe haven) and no-one will want to take their eye off the oil price.

On June 13, Turkey’s transport minister, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, wrote on X that all airline operators in Turkey, led by Turkish Airlines (THYAO), have cancelled all flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Syria.

The airspaces of Iran, Iraq and Israel are entirely closed, according to the minister.

Previously, Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines (PGSUS) specified that it has cancelled all of its Iran, Iraq and Jordan flights until June 19.

Turkish Airlines’ low cost unit AJet announced that it had cancelled all of its Iran, Iraq and Jordan flights until June 16.