The impact of the failed coup and the huge subsequent crackdown in Turkey is having an impact that extends well beyond the country’s frontiers.
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Two high-ranking Turkish officers have resigned just hours before the country’s Supreme Military Council began a meeting to discuss a review of the armed forces.
Since the July 15 failed military coup, a total of 149 generals and admirals have so far been expelled from Turkey’s land, naval, and air forces.
A senior Turkish official described the purges as “dishonourable discharge”.
Turkey declared a state of emergency following the violent coup attempt that led to 290 deaths, and embarked on a large-scale clampdown on people suspected of ties to Gulen.
Approximately 13,000 members of the military, police, and judiciary as well as civil servants have been arrested since the failed putsch, and tens of thousands more removed from their posts.
Anadolu Agency also says the government has made a decision to close down dozens of media organizations, including 45 newspapers and 16 television stations. Turkey wants the cleric extradited but the USA has told Turkey to present evidence against Gulen and let the US extradition process take its course.
The Turkish government has dismissed more than 1,223 officers from the army, including 130 generals, since the failed coup attempt.
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Gendarmerie and coast guard command ships were also brought under control of the interior ministry.
