A closer look at the unrest sweeping the Arab world

The fall of Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Egypt's Hosni Mubarak spurred violent uprisings in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen, leaving the fate of the region to be determined by people power. Here's key information about each country and how Turkey fits into the picture.

A closer look at the unrest sweeping the Arab world

The fall of Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Egypt's Hosni Mubarak spurred violent uprisings in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen, leaving the fate of the region to be determined by people power. Here's key information about each country and how Turkey fits into the picture.

---

Libya	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership Moammer Gadhafi	Apr. 19Top NATO official said that the alliance is having trouble destroying mortars and rockets fired by Moammar Gadhafi loyalists at the besieged rebel city of Misrata as Britain said it would send a team of experienced military officers to advise Libyan rebels. Related Article » Russia flays 'open violation' of mandate on Libya Turkey calls on Gadhafi to stop attacking civilians in Misrata Report: US seeking country to take in Gadhafi	Relations established: 1954 Number of Turkish residents: 15,000, majority successfully evacuated in late February Historical ties: Ruled by Ottomans from 1551 to 1912 as three separate districts, which were consolidated by Italy. Until the late 1960s, Turkey trained Libyan officers. Former PM Abdesselam Jaloul is a graduate of the Turkish Military Academy Exports: $1.94 billion Imports: $426 million Number of Turkish firms: 220	Population: 6,461,454 (2010) Government type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in practice, an authoritarian state Independence date: Dec. 24, 1951 (from UN trusteeship) Literacy rate: 82.6% (2003) Internet users: 353,900 (2009) GDP per capita: $13,800 (2010) Unemployment rate: 30% (2004) Inflation rate: 3% (2010) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age (2004) Military expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2005)

---

Bahrain	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa	Apr. 10Two Bahraini Shiite activists detained in the wake of anti-regime protests have died in detention, the Gulf kingdom's interior ministry said. Related Article » Turkey calls for reform process in Bahrain to continue Mourners bury Bahraini woman killed in unrest Bahraini minister visit Ankara to discuss turmoil	Relations established: 1973, two years after its independence from Great Britain Number of Turkish residents: 1,000, estimated mainly as workers and businessmen Historical ties: Bahrain was administered by the Ottoman Empire’s Najd Governor of the Arab peninsula during the 18th century Exports: $172 million Imports: $71.68 million Number of Turkish firms: 47	Population: 738,004 (2010) Government type: Constitutional monarchy Independence date: Aug. 15, 1971 (from the UK) Literacy rate: 86.5% (2001) Internet users: 419,500 (2009) GDP per capita: $40,400 (2010) Unemployment rate: 15% (2005) Inflation rate: 3.3% (2010) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2010) Military expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2006)

---

Yemen	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership President Ali Abdullah Saleh	Apr. 19Yemeni police killed one man and wounded several other people when they opened fire on anti-regime demonstrators ahead of a government delegation meeting with Gulf foreign ministers in Abu Dhabi. Related Article » Yemen tense as calls on Saleh to quit grow Yemen opposition wants details on Gulf plan Yemen's Saleh stands defiant as desertions mount	Relations established: 1988 Number of Turkish residents: No significant number Historical ties: The first Ottoman rule began in the 16th century and lasted through the 17th century. Its second rule was between 1848 and 1918. Nearly 300,000 Ottoman soldiers were killed during war in Yemeni deserts, which became the host of a gigantic Turkish cemetery Exports: $329 million Imports: $1.04 million Number of Turkish firms: —	Population: 23,495,361 (2010) Government type: Republic Independence date: May 22, 1990 Literacy rate: 50.2% (2003) Internet users: 2.349 million (2009) GDP per capita: $2,600 (2010) Unemployment rate: 35% (2003) Inflation rate: 12.2% (2010) Military service age and obligation: Voluntary military service program authorized in 2001; 2-year service obligation (2006) Military expenditures: 6.6% of GDP (2006)

---

Oman	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership Sultan Qaboos	Mar. 7Omani protesters demanding a clampdown on corruption in the Gulf state maintained vigils despite the sacking of two ministers and pledges to create jobs. Related Article » Oman protests show no country immune Pro-sultan Omanis in support drive Report: Gulf states to aid unrest-hit Bahrain, Oman	Relations established: 1985, when Turkey opened a diplomatic office there Number of Turkish residents: No significant number Historical ties: Never became a province of the Ottoman Empire, but did pass through a short period in the 16th century as a political dependent Exports: $129.32 million Imports: $39.46 million Number of Turkish firms: 9	Population: 2,967,717 (2010) Government type: Monarchy Independence date: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) Literacy rate: 81.4% (2003) Internet users 1.465 million (2009) GDP per capita: $25,800 (2010) Unemployment rate: 15% (2004) Inflation rate: 4% (2010) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010) Military expenditures: 11.4% of GDP (2005)

---

Algeria	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership Abdelaziz Bouteflika	Mar. 6Algerian police and pro-government activists foiled another attempt by opposition protesters to march in the capital Algiers to demand regime change. Related Article » Obama praises Algeria for lifting state of emergency Algeria sees no 'domino effect' from Egypt, Tunisia protests New pro-reform rally in Algeria called for Feb 19	Relations established: 1962, after it gained independence Number of Turkish residents: Around 5,000 Historical ties: Algeria was under Ottoman rule from 1514 until the French occupied the country in 1830 Exports: $1.51 billion Imports: $2.27 billion Number of Turkish firms: 50	Population: 34,586,184 (2010) Government type: Republic Independence date: July 5, 1962 (from France) Literacy rate: 69.9% (2002) Internet users: 4.7 million (2009) GDP per capita: $7,400 (2010) Unemployment rate: 9.9% (2010) Inflation rate: 5% (2010) Military service age and obligation: 19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (6 months basic training, 12 months civil projects) (2006) Military expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2006)

---

Morocco	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership King Mohammed VI	Mar. 10Morocco's King Mohammed VI promised a sweeping constitutional reform, including real powers for a popularly elected prime minister instead of a royal appointee, as well as a free judiciary. Related Article » Turkish businessmen fear a spark to launch uprising in Morocco Domestic textile firms fear turmoil in Morocco Minister: Five dead in violence after Morocco demonstrations	Relations established: 1956, following independence from France Number of Turkish residents: 1,500 estimated, mostly laborers and engineers working for Turkish companies Historical ties: The Ottoman Empire established relations with Morocco in the 16th century when the Ottomans occupied Libya, Tunisia and Algeria. Never intending to occupy Morocco, the Ottomans backed the country in its fight against the Portuguese in 1576 Exports: $624 million Imports: $397 million Number of Turkish firms: 27	Population: 31,627,428 (2010) Government type: Constitutional monarchy Independence date: March 2, 1956 (from France) Literacy rate: 52.3% (2004) Internet users: 13.213 million (2009) GDP per capita: $4,900 (2010) Unemployment rate: 9.8% (2010) Inflation rate: 2.5% (2010) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; service obligation - 18 months (2010) Military expenditures: 5% of GDP (2003)

---

Egypt	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership Hosni Mubarak (deposed)	Apr. 14Egypt's military rulers say they are reviewing cases of young protesters jailed in the aftermath of mass protests that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak. Related Article » Corruption by Egypt's Mubarak 'not a one-man job,' say experts Egypt blogger gets 3 years for criticizing army Ousted Egypt president summoned for questioning	Relations established: 1925. First Turkish ambassador sent to Cairo in 1948 Number of Turkish residents: Exact number not known, estimates say around 5,000. Around 2,000 were evacuated during the unrest Historical ties: Ruled by the Ottomans from 1517-1867 and was an autonomous tributary state until 1914. Contact between Turks and Egyptians goes back to the ninth century Exports: $2.26 billion Imports: $926 million Number of Turkish firms: 217 (2009)	Population: 80,471,869 (2010) Government type: Republic Independence date: Feb. 28, 1922 (from UK protectorate status) Literacy rate: 59.4% (2005) Internet users: 20.136 million (2009) GDP per capita: $6,200 (2010) Unemployment rate: 9.7% (2010) Inflation rate: 12.8% (2010) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation 12-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation (2008) Military expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2005)

---

Tunisia	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (deposed)	Mar. 23The mother of Mohamed Bouazizi, the Tunisian fruitseller whose desperate protest has shaken strong-arm regimes across the Arab world, has said she will stop her grieving because of the success of the revolution he inspired. Related Article » From the Bosphorus: Straight - The wisdom of Tunisia’s Chebbi Tunisia refuses to legalize 5 political parties Tunisia to elect assembly in July for constitution	Relations established: 1956, following independence from France Number of Turkish residents: Not a significant Turkish population. Hundreds were evacuated during the recent unrest Historical ties: Occupied in 1574 by the great Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa, an admiral in the Ottoman Navy who dominated the Mediterranean for decades. The country was known as the “Regency of Tunis” under Ottoman rule until 1881 Exports: $714 million Imports: $280 million Number of Turkish firms: 15 (2008)	Population: 10,589,025 (2010) Government type: Republic Independence date: March 20, 1956 (from France) Literacy rate: 74.3% (2004) Internet users: 3.5 million (2009) GDP per capita: $9,500 (2010) Unemployment rate: 14% (2010) Inflation rate: 4.5% (2010) Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age for compulsory military service, 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 1-year conscript service obligation (2007) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2006)

---

Iran	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership Mahmoud Ahmadinejad	Mar. 3U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Iran is directly or indirectly communicating with opposition groups in Egypt, Bahrain and Yemen in a bid to shape events there. Related Article » Iran parliament calls for 'firm' action against opposition leaders Mediterranean heating up Iran 'hatred' rally demands opposition chiefs be hanged	Relations established: 1639, when the two countries signed a border agreement. First ambassador sent to Iran in 1835 Number of Turkish residents: Exact number unknown, estimates say a few thousand Historical ties: These two neighboring nations have had close relations throughout history, starting from when the Great Seljuk Empire first entered Anatolia from Persia in the 10th century. Exports: $3.04 billion Imports: $7.66 billion Number of Turkish firms: —	Population: 76,923,300 (2010) Government type: Theocratic republic Independence date: April 1, 1979 Literacy rate: 77% (2002) Internet users: 8.214 million (2009) GDP per capita: $11,200 (2010) Unemployment rate: 14.6% (2010) Inflation rate: 11.8% (2010) Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation (2008) Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2006)

---

Sudan	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership Omar al-Bashir	Feb. 21Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will not stand for re-election, an official of his National Congress Party said, insisting, however, that he was "not under pressure" from the wave of protests rocking the Arab world. Related Article »	Relations established: 1956, after independence from Great Britain Number of Turkish residents: With boosting trade between two countries, between 3,000 and 5,000 Turks are living in Sudan Historical ties: Ottomans ruled the country in the 19th century Exports: $228 million Imports: $5.21 million Number of Turkish firms: —	Population: 43,939,598 (2010) Government type: Federal presidential republic Independence date: Jan. 1, 1956 (from Egypt and the UK) Literacy rate: 61.1% (2003) Internet users: 4.2 million (2008) GDP per capita: $2,200 (2010) Unemployment rate: 18.7% (2002) Inflation rate: 11.8% (2010) Military service age and obligation: 18-33 years of age for male and female compulsory and voluntary military service; 12-24 month service obligation (2009) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2005)

---

Jordan	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership King Abdullah II	Apr. 8A Jordanian man set himself on fire outside the prime minister's office in the first such act since political unrest hit the country in January. Related Article » Jordanians protest to demand 'regime reforms' Thousands call for reform on Jordan's 'Day of Anger' Jordanians plan 'day of anger' to speed reforms	Relations established: 1947, a year after its independence from Great Britain Number of Turkish residents: More than 1,500 Historical ties: Ruled by the Ottomans from 1516-1917 under the Damascus Governorship. Home to a cemetery for Turkish soldiers Exports: $573 million Imports: $42.75 million Number of Turkish firms: —	Population: 6,407,085 (2010) Government type: Constitutional monarchy Independence date: May 25, 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Literacy rate: 89.9% (2003) Internet users: 1.642 million (2009) GDP per capita: $5,300 (2010) Unemployment rate: 13.4% (2010) Inflation rate: 4.4% (2010) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription at age 18 was suspended in 1999, although all males under age 37 are required to register (2010) Military expenditures: 8.6% of GDP (2006)

---

Syria	WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW	RELATIONS WITH TURKEY	BACKGROUND
Leadership President Bashar al-Assad	Apr. 19Syria's government passed a bill Tuesday lifting the country's nearly 50-year-old state of emergency law, a key demand of protesters, amid ongoing calls for reform. Related Article » Syria protests spreading in scope, intensity 7 killed ‘by security forces’ in Syrian town Homs Cables show US secretly funding Syrian opposition	Relations established:1946, after Syria obtained independence from France. Historic ties: Ruled by Ottomans from 1517 to 1917. Administratively registered as “Damascus province”, the region covered an area from Gaza to Gaziantep, from Beirut to Aleppo. Syria is very rich in term of Ottoman-era cultural and religious sites. Turkish population: Not more than a few thousands. However, there are thousand of Syrian citizens with Turkish descent living along the Turkey-Syria border. All have relatives on the other side of borders.	Population:22,517,750 (July 2010 est.) Government type: Republic under an authoritarian regime Independence date:17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) Literacy rate: 79.6% (2003) Internet users:4.469 million (2009) GDP per capita: $4,800 (2010 est.) Unemployment rate:8.3% (2010 est.) Inflation rate:5.9% (2010 est.) Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 21 months (18 months in the Syrian Arab Navy); women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve (2010) Military expenditures:5.9% of GDP (2005 est.)