Following a Friday night of unrest as a result of the attempted military coup in Turkey, which appears to have failed, several questions have been raised necessitating a comprehensive explanation of the motives behind the attempt by some dissenters-comprised of military personnel.
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Fethullah Gulen told reporters at his Pennsylvania compound he knows only a “minute fraction” of his legions of sympathizers in Turkey, so he can not speak to their “potential involvement” in the attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He said the US had no prior indication of the coup attempt, which came as Erdogan was on vacation.
Erdogan had promised swift retribution when he arrived at Istanbul’s global airport early on Saturday from a coastal vacation, and blamed followers of USA -based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, a one-time ally.
The US “would invite the government of Turkey, as we always do, to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny”, Kerry said.
The United States and Turkey are close military allies within North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and U.S. war planes targeting the Islamic State group fly out of the major Incirlik air base.
Turkish authorities have rounded up almost 3000 suspected military plotters and ordered thousands of judges to be detained after thwarting a coup by rebels using tanks and attack helicopters to try to topple President Tayyip Erdogan. Mr Gulen rejects any suggestion of links to what has happened.
US President Barack Obama expressed support for Turkey’s government and called on all sides to avoid action that would lead to further violence or instability.
“We have requested his extradition from the United States”.
Secretary of State John Kerry said the USA would entertain an extradition request for Gulen.
“All of that continues as before”, Kerry said.
Gulen is understood to maintain significant support among some members of the military and mid-level bureaucrats.
According to the people who claimed to speak for the Turkish military in the statement, they said that the motive for the coup was Erdoğan’s negligence of Turkey’s democratic secular traditions. Those later turned into schools that form a key part of his organization, called Hizmet or “the service”, helping to train teachers and volunteers for colleges run by the group around the world, according to the book.
THE man accused of orchestrating Turkey’s attempted military coup has hit back against calls for his extradition saying the country’s President staged the whole thing. Either arrest Fethullah Gulen or return him to Turkey.
“In brief, I don’t even know who my followers are”, the frail-looking cleric said through an interpreter.
General Umit Dundar, who was newly appointed as the acting military chief, said 104 “coup plotters” were killed, as well as 41 police officers and 47 others.
With the coup defeated, Turkey rounded up 2,839 soldiers over alleged involvement, amid global alarm that the country could reestablish its death penalty, which Dion said Canadians are against “in all circumstances”. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is talking about Fethullah Gulen – an influential Muslim leader and businessman. “This government brought to power by the people is in charge”, he told large crowds after landing at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport early Saturday and declaring the coup a failure.
“If you’re planning a coup you don’t exactly advertise to your partners in NATO”, Kerry said.
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“I must say, it does not appear to have been a very brilliantly planned or executed event, but let’s reserve all judgment until the facts are in”.
