Erdogan faces the biggest storm... What does Turkish anger hide beneath the surface?

Protests in Turkey continued following the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, posing the biggest political challenge to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in over a decade. Authorities in Ankara extended the ban on gatherings in the capital until April 1st, due to escalating protests in various cities, especially Istanbul, after Imamoglu's arrest last week. Widespread protests erupted, leading the government to impose a ban on gatherings in Istanbul and Izmir amid clashes between protesters and security forces. Additionally, the Turkish prosecutor's office issued arrest warrants for 41 individuals on charges of "insulting the president" during the Istanbul protests, including journalists covering the events closely. The protests in Istanbul continued to escalate, with calls from the Republican People's Party, to which Imamoglu belongs, urging citizens nationwide to demonstrate against the imprisonment of Istanbul's mayor. Despite government crackdowns and bans on gatherings, these protests received widespread support. Security forces continued to use force to control the situation, with 71 people arrested in Istanbul during clashes, including journalists. Furthermore, 99 individuals were detained for suspected violations of protest laws, while authorities continue to search for other suspects. Amid strict warnings from Istanbul's governor about the consequences of breaking the law, Erdogan stated that the protests had turned into a "violent movement," holding the Republican People's Party responsible for any property damage or injuries to police officers during the demonstrations. In contrast, the Republican People's Party insists that Imamoglu's arrest is a political move aimed at restricting opposition and imposing control over democracy. Meanwhile, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu reiterated warnings against participating in riots, emphasizing that security forces will not tolerate vandalism. Imamoglu, in a message from prison, vowed not to "yield" to pressure, calling for nationwide protests to continue. Amid this escalation, Turkey remains on high alert, with increasing political and popular movements against government decisions, which may witness further developments in the coming days.