Turkey Tactical: CHP calls for rally in Istanbul’s Sisli at 20:30 on April 9; avoid non-essential travel near rally

Apr 2025

7:41 UTC

The People’s Republican Party (CHP) has called for a rally in front of the Sisli municipality building in Istanbul at 20:30 (local time) on April 9.
The CHP has called for the rally stating that, “We will not remain silent, we will not surrender, we will not step back! We will not leave our nation’s legitimate vote, will and our leaders to your injustice!”

Source: CHP

This follows an announcement by CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel, who stated that the party will organize a rally in a different city each weekend, in addition to holding weekly gatherings on Wednesday evenings in Istanbul. These rallies are likely part of the CHP’s strategy to sustain the momentum of anti-government demonstrations, which have shown a noticeable decline over the past week.
FORECAST: The rally will likely garner a turnout in the low to mid thousands. This turnout is likely to be lower than the April 6 rally given the overall recorded reduction in anti-government protest activity in Istanbul. The environment at the protest is nonetheless likely to be politically charged. This is especially given President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent filing of a criminal complaint against Ozel for “insulting” the President, which is liable to compound anti-government sentiment. Due to this, instances of violence, including unrest and clashes between police personnel and protesters are likely. In such instances, security forces are likely to deploy riot dispersal measures. Traffic disruptions along major thoroughfares and around the Sisli municipality building can be expected during the evening hours onwards. Additional protests and marches in support of CHP and against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, in major cities like Ankara and Izmir are also likely.

Those operating or residing in Istanbul on April 9 are advised to avoid non-essential travel to and around the Sisli municipality building due to the scheduled rally and the associated risk of unrest.
Maintain heightened vigilance across Turkey due to the potential for additional gatherings nationwide, including in Ankara and Izmir, in support of Imamoglu and the CHP.
Avoid the vicinity of anti-government protests associated with Imamoglu’s detention due to the associated risk of unrest and detention.

Medium

Sisli, Istanbul; Turkey

High

Confirmed

The People’s Republican Party (CHP) has called for a rally in front of the Sisli municipality building in Istanbul at 20:30 (local time) on April 9.
The CHP has called for the rally stating that, “We will not remain silent, we will not surrender, we will not step back! We will not leave our nation’s legitimate vote, will and our leaders to your injustice!”

Source: CHP

This follows an announcement by CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel, who stated that the party will organize a rally in a different city each weekend, in addition to holding weekly gatherings on Wednesday evenings in Istanbul. These rallies are likely part of the CHP’s strategy to sustain the momentum of anti-government demonstrations, which have shown a noticeable decline over the past week.
FORECAST: The rally will likely garner a turnout in the low to mid thousands. This turnout is likely to be lower than the April 6 rally given the overall recorded reduction in anti-government protest activity in Istanbul. The environment at the protest is nonetheless likely to be politically charged. This is especially given President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent filing of a criminal complaint against Ozel for “insulting” the President, which is liable to compound anti-government sentiment. Due to this, instances of violence, including unrest and clashes between police personnel and protesters are likely. In such instances, security forces are likely to deploy riot dispersal measures. Traffic disruptions along major thoroughfares and around the Sisli municipality building can be expected during the evening hours onwards. Additional protests and marches in support of CHP and against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, in major cities like Ankara and Izmir are also likely.

Those operating or residing in Istanbul on April 9 are advised to avoid non-essential travel to and around the Sisli municipality building due to the scheduled rally and the associated risk of unrest.
Maintain heightened vigilance across Turkey due to the potential for additional gatherings nationwide, including in Ankara and Izmir, in support of Imamoglu and the CHP.
Avoid the vicinity of anti-government protests associated with Imamoglu’s detention due to the associated risk of unrest and detention.

Medium

Sisli, Istanbul; Turkey

High

Confirmed

Protest