Talking about the Turkish government’s position following the coup d’état, the expert said, “I think the Turkish government is strengthened in this respect”.
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A faction of the Turkish military attempted to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday night, employing tanks and attack helicopters. A failed coup in Turkey – a longtime ally of the USA and member of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation – could have significant and wide-ranging implications for the U.S.
Another statement from the administration noted that Obama had spoken to Kerry about Friday’s events: “The President and secretary agreed that all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected government of Turkey”.
The closing of the airspace over Incirlik effectively grounds USA aircraft and drones that have been instrumental in the campaign to crush Islamic State in Syria, including supporting drives by Syrian Kurds and moderate Arabs, who are being advised by US special forces, to seize the militant-held city of Manbij and Raqqa, the “capital” of the caliphate declared by Islamic State.
Gulen has harshly condemned the attempted coup attempt by military officers that resulted in a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire that left dozens dead. He said more than 2,800 military members involved in the coup had been arrested.
From his estate in the Poconos outside the village of Saylorsburg, Pa., Gulen – who is at the helm of a broad religious network that includes hundreds of schools across the world that promote a moderate version of Islam – denied any complicity in the takeover attempt. “There is a possibility that it could be a staged coup and it could be meant for further accusations (against the Gulenists)”.
Talking about what will happen next, the professor said that all those military personnel who took part in the coup will be convicted of treason. USA officials were working with Turkish officials to resume air operations quickly, the Pentagon said. Erdogan said after arriving in Istanbul as his forces were regaining control of the country early Saturday that “Turkey can not be governed from Pennsylvania”. He promised to restore order within the divided army and added that he has already issued arrest warrants against the plotters, whom he called “pirates”. Anadolu reported that the extradition file was to be sent to Turkey’s Justice Ministry on Thursday.
European leaders greeted the defeat of Turkey’s coup on Saturday with relief as it averts chaos and keeps alive a deal that has helped to stem the migration crisis threatening the continent.
Supporters started 1,000 schools in more than 100 countries, including about 150 taxpayer-funded charter schools throughout the U.S. In Turkey, they have run universities, hospitals, charities, a bank and a large media empire with newspapers and radio and TV stations.
General Erdal Ozturk, commander of the Third Army, was also detained over alleged involvement in the coup attempt. His followers have been influential in starting charter schools in the United States.
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Gulen’s Golden Generation Worship and Retreat Center is in Ross Township, Monroe County. “I’ve never seen anything more powerful than the people”, he said.
