President Barack Obama has urged all sides in Turkey to support the democratically elected government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan amid a military takeover attempt involving the key North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ally.
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The coup attempt began at around 19:30 GMT on Friday with the partial closure by troops of two major bridges over the Bosphorus in Istanbul as tanks moved into the streets and fighter jets were seen in the skies.
Erdogan, who had been holidaying on the southwest coast when the coup was launched, flew into Istanbul before dawn on Saturday and told thousands of flag-waving supporters at the airport that the government remained at the helm.
After a failed military coup attempt in Turkey on Saturday which had reportedly claimed at least 161 lives and wounded 1,440 others, the global community has expressed support for the legitimately elected government and concern over the “spiral of violence”.
In Istanbul, crowds gathered at Taksim Square, where a man stood on an iconic monument with a Turkish flag draped on his chest. “We pledge that good relations with all world countries will continue”. “Now today after the coup I say it again”.
Turkey’s President is calling on the United States to hand over an opposition movement leader he’s accusing of masterminding this weekend’s failed coup attempt.
NTV television said that 34 generals of various grades had been detained so far. Dundar said the plotters were mainly officers from the Air Force, the military police and armored units.
The crackdown is however not restricted to the military and Anadolu said prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for a total of 2,745 judges and prosecutors across Turkey.
In a statement released Saturday, Dion expressed relief that the coup attempt had failed, praising Turkey as “a strong partner and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ally”.
Gulen is a well-known Islamic scholar and political insider who has been living in exile in the USA state of Pennsylvania for the past few years. “I categorically deny such accusations”.
Turkey has always been expected to request his extradition from the United States.
Officials accused the judges and the coup plotters of being loyal to moderate cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Mr Erdogan has often accused of attempting to overthrow the government.
When he was asked if he would have returned to Turkey if the coup had succeeded he said: “Indeed, I miss my homeland a lot”.
U.S. President Barack Obama expressed support for Turkey’s government and urged parties on all sides of the crisis to avoid destabilizing the country and follow the rule of law.
Speaking earlier in Luxembourg, Kerry said the United States would consider Turkey’s request for Gulen’s extradition on condition that Turkey proves the cleric’s wrongdoing.
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Kerry also warned that suggestions of a US role in the failed coup were “utterly false” and harmful to relations after Turkey’s labor minister suggested there had been USA involvement in the plot.
