‘Bloodthirsty...’: Outraged Erdogan tears into Israel; rejects Syria partition amid IDF bombings Turkish President #Erdogan has lashed out at #Israel, calling it a “bloodthirsty terrorist state” and accusing it of using the #Druze as a pretext to attack #Syria. He warned that if Israel is not stopped, it could set the entire region and the world on fire. | The Times of India

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dominated Turkish politics for more than two decades, serving as both prime minister and president of Turkey. The polarising leader has divided the country. His supporters see him as a strongman who has overseen economic growth but his opponents have criticised him for his increasing authoritarian tendencies. Here’s a look back at Erdogan’s rise to power and how he came to be one of Turkey’s most influential leaders | Middle East Eye