“In the meantime, U.S. Central Command is adjusting flight operations in the counter-ISIL campaign to minimize any effects on the campaign”.
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Sorties from the base were suspended because airspace had been closed, USA officials said. “We deeply admire the resolve of the fearless and resilient Turkish people, who stood up against the forces of darkness and anarchy to express their support and commitment to democracy”, he said in a statement.
Additionally, tensions between the USA and Turkey could increase as an extradition battle now looms.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the United States on Saturday to extradite accused terrorist leader and coup plotter Fetullah Gulen.
Here is a look at what else this could mean for the U.S.
Obama said joint efforts like fighting terrorism would “require continued Turkish cooperation”.
Obama conferred with his national security and foreign policy advisers on Saturday morning and reiterated his support for the “democratically-elected, civilian” government of Turkey.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States will help Turkey investigate the failed coup and invited Ankara to share any evidence it has against Gulen.
Even before Friday’s bloody drama, Obama had voiced concern about Erdogan’s respect for the rule of law.
An expected purge of military factions responsible for the attempted putsch, however, could leave the armed forces in turmoil and overstretched.
In contrast, the US has struggled with Erdogan’s AKP Party and its moderate Islamist policies, including his diplomatic spat with Israel and his outreach to Islamist parties like the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.
Although many Turks are disgruntled over Erdogan’s moves against civil liberties such as freedom of the press, and are fearful in the wake of a deadly IS attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport last month, the country appeared to reject the military rebellion.
“Dear Mr. President: I told you this before”.
Now there are fears that Erdogan could go much further.
In an early warning sign, the Ankara chief public prosecutor’s office took almost 200 top Turkish court officials, including members of the supreme court, into custody, Anatolian News Agency reported Saturday.
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There are two army generals among the coup forces.
