This was why it was startling to so many, especially Turks, when tanks appeared on the streets of Istanbul and fighter jets streaked low across the sky.
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At least 265 people were killed and more than 1,400 were wounded during the failed coup, the AP reported. Earlier this year, for example, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said he would “like Turkey to do more” to fight the Islamic State. “However, our duty is not over”.
Turkey has not executed anyone since 1984 and formally abolished capital punishment in 2004 as part of its efforts to join the European Union. It was the biggest challenge to Erdogan’s rule in his 13 years as prime minister and now president, with critics saying he was becoming increasingly authoritarian.
“We can not delay this anymore because in this country, those who launch a coup will have to pay the price for it”, he told supporters. Erdogan addressed the country, first over Facetime and text message, then from a hastily erected television studio set, calling for support and promising that the plotters would be punished. “I have never felt so proud to be a Turk, defending democracy!”
Family members carry a coffin after a funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup, in Ankara, Turkey, July 17, 2016. “But I think we’re all concerned, and we have expressed that concern, that this not fuel a reach well beyond those who engaged in the coup but that they strengthen the democracy of the country, strengthen the process, and use it as a moment to unite the nation”.
In Kisikli square on the Asian side of Istanbul, thousands gathered to hear Erdogan speak just a few steps away from his family home.
– How did the coup attempt unfold? He had indicated a shake-up of the military was imminent and had also taken steps to increase his influence over the judiciary.
Turkish authorities were rounding up dozens of generals as well as senior judges and prosecutors accused of supporting a failed military coup. Finally, as noted above, the conflict between Erdogan and Gulen has already resulted in the arrests of a number of Gulenists within the military establishment.
At the centre of the controversy stands Fethullah Gulen, who lives in exile in Pennsylvania and promotes a philosophy that blends a mystical form of Islam with staunch advocacy of democracy, education, science and interfaith dialogue.
“We will continue to clean the virus from all state bodies because this virus has spread”. He also called on Washington to extradite Gulen.
Gulen denies any connection with the coup.
Erdogan accuses followers of Gulen, who was once an ally but is now his arch-enemy, of trying to create a “parallel structure” within the courts, police, armed forces and media with an aim to topple the state. In previous eras, the military could easily intimidate opponents into upholding the secularizing and repressive principles of modern Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Gulen said he would comply with any extradition ruling but was “not really worried” about one. Some skeptics even went so far as to say that the authorities had to have known about the plans.
U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday reiterated the “unwavering support” of the United States for the democratically elected civilian government of Turkey. So far, officials have not offered evidence he was involved.
Kerry told CNN on Sunday that the U.S.is waiting for a formal extradition request to the State and Justice departments. A government official said autopsies have been completed on 165 people, including 115 reclaimed by their families.
The agency said 70 generals and admirals, including former Gen. Akin Ozturk, an air Force commander, were detained.
Security forces also clashed with remnants of the coup plotters at Istanbul’s second airport on Sunday and at an air base in central Turkey, an official said, adding that arrests had been made and the situation was under control.
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Kerry also warned that public suggestions of a US role were “utterly false” and harmful to relations after Turkey’s labour minister suggested there had been USA involvement in the plot. Gen Umit Dunda said the dead included at least 104 conspirators, mainly officers from the air force, the military police and armoured units. He needs the military now more than ever as an effective force as he has security issues on the border with Syria and is fighting a semi-conventional war in the country’s southeast against Kurdish groups.
