Turkey&#39;s prime minister warned yesterday that the crackdown following a failed coup was not over, as authorities issued arrest warrants for dozens of former newspaper staff. 
 
A senior minister also revealed that a major army shake-up had been planned just before the putsch - suggesting elements in the military made the dramatic move because they knew they were about to be purged. 
 
Since the attempted power grab on the night of July 15, more than 15,000 people have been detained and more than 8,000 of them remain in custody, according to the latest interior ministry figures. 
 
&quot;The investigation is continuing, there are people who are being searched for. There could be new apprehensions, arrests and detentions,&quot; Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told Sky News, according to the network&#39;s translation of his remarks. 
 
&quot;The process is not completed yet,&quot; he said. 
 
In the attempted coup, renegade soldiers sought to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but were stopped by crowds of civilians and loyalist security forces. 
 
At least 270 people were killed on both sides. 
 
Turkey blames the botched putsch on US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, who strongly denies the accusations and demands that the United States resist calls for his extradition. 
 
But Yildirim said Turkey was &quot;determined&quot; to secure his removal. 
 
&quot;We shared all the details with them and, from this point on, the task falls on the shoulders of the US government,&quot; the prime minister said. 
 
&#39;Planned purge&#39; 
 
Energy minister Berat Albayrak, who is Erdogan&#39;s son-in-law, said Turkish authorities had been planning a major purge of the military and other institutions to remove Gulen-linked elements ahead of the coup attempt. 
 
&quot;They were going to take really important steps to remove Gulenist officers and generals from the armed forces. We were already working on this,&quot; said Albayrak, who was with Erdogan on the coup night. 
 
Turkey yesterday issued arrest warrants for 47 former staff of the once pro-Gulen Zaman newspaper suspected of links to the reclusive cleric. 
 
An official who declined to be named said the swoop covered &quot;executives and some staff including columnists&quot;, describing Zaman as the &quot;flagship media organisation&quot; of the Gulen-led movement. 
 
In March, Zaman and its English-language sister newspaper Today&#39;s Zaman were taken over by state-appointed administrators and it has since taken a strongly pro-government line. 
 
Several former staff are believed to have since left Turkey. 
 
The official insisted the warrants were not related to what individual columnists had previously said or written. 
 
But &quot;prominent employees of Zaman are likely to have intimate knowledge of the Gulen network and as such could benefit the investigation&quot;, the official explained. 
 
Earlier in the week, Turkey issued another 42 arrest warrants for journalists, 16 of whom have so far been detained according to state-run news agency Anadolu. 
 
Military reshuffle 
 
A large-scale shake-up of the Turkish armed forces is expected to be announced when the country&#39;s Supreme Military Council meets on today. 
 
More than 10,000 soldiers and around half of the 358 generals serving in Turkey have been detained, leaving gaping holes in the command structure to be filled. 
 
Tens of thousands of Turkish civilians have lost their jobs since July 15. 
 
The first worker in the private financial sector to be affected is AK Investment&#39;s research director Mert Ulke, after the financial regulator cancelled his licence following his report on the failed coup. 
 
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday expressed deep concern about the ongoing wave of arrests in Turkey following the putsch. 
 
The EU meanwhile appointed a new ambassador to Turkey and repeated warnings that Ankara must respect democracy and human rights for ties to prosper. 
 
(AFP)

Turkey's energy minister said authorities had been planning a major purge of the military and other institutions ahead of the coup attempt

Turkey's prime minister warned yesterday that the crackdown following a failed coup was not over, as authorities issued arrest warrants for dozens of former newspaper staff. A senior minister also revealed that a major army shake-up had been planned just before the putsch - suggesting elements in the military made the dramatic move because they knew they were about to be purged. Since the attempted power grab on the night of July 15, more than 15,000 people have been detained and more than 8,000 of them remain in custody, according to the latest interior ministry figures. "The investigation is continuing, there are people who are being searched for. There could be new apprehensions, arrests and detentions," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told Sky News, according to the network's translation of his remarks. "The process is not completed yet," he said. In the attempted coup, renegade soldiers sought to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but were stopped by crowds of civilians and loyalist security forces. At least 270 people were killed on both sides. Turkey blames the botched putsch on US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, who strongly denies the accusations and demands that the United States resist calls for his extradition. But Yildirim said Turkey was "determined" to secure his removal. "We shared all the details with them and, from this point on, the task falls on the shoulders of the US government," the prime minister said. 'Planned purge' Energy minister Berat Albayrak, who is Erdogan's son-in-law, said Turkish authorities had been planning a major purge of the military and other institutions to remove Gulen-linked elements ahead of the coup attempt. "They were going to take really important steps to remove Gulenist officers and generals from the armed forces. We were already working on this," said Albayrak, who was with Erdogan on the coup night. Turkey yesterday issued arrest warrants for 47 former staff of the once pro-Gulen Zaman newspaper suspected of links to the reclusive cleric. An official who declined to be named said the swoop covered "executives and some staff including columnists", describing Zaman as the "flagship media organisation" of the Gulen-led movement. In March, Zaman and its English-language sister newspaper Today's Zaman were taken over by state-appointed administrators and it has since taken a strongly pro-government line. Several former staff are believed to have since left Turkey. The official insisted the warrants were not related to what individual columnists had previously said or written. But "prominent employees of Zaman are likely to have intimate knowledge of the Gulen network and as such could benefit the investigation", the official explained. Earlier in the week, Turkey issued another 42 arrest warrants for journalists, 16 of whom have so far been detained according to state-run news agency Anadolu. Military reshuffle A large-scale shake-up of the Turkish armed forces is expected to be announced when the country's Supreme Military Council meets on today. More than 10,000 soldiers and around half of the 358 generals serving in Turkey have been detained, leaving gaping holes in the command structure to be filled. Tens of thousands of Turkish civilians have lost their jobs since July 15. The first worker in the private financial sector to be affected is AK Investment's research director Mert Ulke, after the financial regulator cancelled his licence following his report on the failed coup. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday expressed deep concern about the ongoing wave of arrests in Turkey following the putsch. The EU meanwhile appointed a new ambassador to Turkey and repeated warnings that Ankara must respect democracy and human rights for ties to prosper. (AFP)

Turkey PM warns post-coup crackdown not over

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday accused the EU of not paying its way under a deal to send Syrian refugees back across the Aegean. 
 
Ankara and Brussels signed a controversial deal in March, in which Turkey agreed to take Syrian migrants landing on Greek islands in exchange for political and financial incentives.&nbsp;The deal included billions of Euros in aid and visa-free travel for Turks in Europe, but ties have been strained by Erdogan&#39;s massive crackdown after a failed coup this month. 
 
The President said the EU had promised $3 billion, but so far only paid a nominal $1 million to $2 million.&nbsp;&quot;The (European) governments are not honest,&quot; Erdogan told German public television station ARD.&nbsp;&quot;Three million Syrians, or people from Iraq, are now in Turkey,&quot; he said. &quot;The EU has not kept its promises on the matter.&quot; 
 
Erdogan estimated the refugees, many of whom have fled the devastating five-year civil war in neighbouring Syria, have cost Turkey $12 billion.&nbsp;The EU made the deal with Turkey to temper a huge influx of more than a million migrants which overwhelmed the bloc last year.&nbsp;Late last month, Brussels said it had opened a new negotiating chapter with Turkey on its long-stalled bid for membership of the bloc. 
 
But that bid has been hit by Erdogan&#39;s sweeping crackdown in the wake of the failed July 15 military takeover, which has seen more than 13,000 people detained. 
 
The President repeated his call for capital punishment for the plotters, an issue that has perturbed the EU, saying: &quot;The people want the death penalty reinstated&quot;. 
 
&quot;We as a government need to hear what the people say,&quot; he added.&nbsp;Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of its bid to join the EU. 
 
(AFP)

Turkey's deal with Brussels to absorb Syrian migrants in exchange for financial incentives was derailed by Erdogan's crackdown

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday accused the EU of not paying its way under a deal to send Syrian refugees back across the Aegean. Ankara and Brussels signed a controversial deal in March, in which Turkey agreed to take Syrian migrants landing on Greek islands in exchange for political and financial incentives. The deal included billions of Euros in aid and visa-free travel for Turks in Europe, but ties have been strained by Erdogan's massive crackdown after a failed coup this month. The President said the EU had promised $3 billion, but so far only paid a nominal $1 million to $2 million. "The (European) governments are not honest," Erdogan told German public television station ARD. "Three million Syrians, or people from Iraq, are now in Turkey," he said. "The EU has not kept its promises on the matter." Erdogan estimated the refugees, many of whom have fled the devastating five-year civil war in neighbouring Syria, have cost Turkey $12 billion. The EU made the deal with Turkey to temper a huge influx of more than a million migrants which overwhelmed the bloc last year. Late last month, Brussels said it had opened a new negotiating chapter with Turkey on its long-stalled bid for membership of the bloc. But that bid has been hit by Erdogan's sweeping crackdown in the wake of the failed July 15 military takeover, which has seen more than 13,000 people detained. The President repeated his call for capital punishment for the plotters, an issue that has perturbed the EU, saying: "The people want the death penalty reinstated". "We as a government need to hear what the people say," he added. Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of its bid to join the EU. (AFP)

Erdogan accuses EU of reneging on migrant deal

The Turkish government is ready to work with all the main opposition parties in drafting a new constitution, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said yesterday, after months of deadlock on the issue. 
 
&quot;All the main parties are ready to start work on a new constitution,&quot; Yildirim told reporters in Ankara, saying that this was made clear in a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and two opposition leaders earlier in the day. 
 
He said that in a first step a &quot;small amendment&quot; would be made to the constitution in the aftermath of the July 15 attempted putsch, without specifying further. 
 
&quot;There will be a small change to remove obstacles from the constitution and the work is underway to do this,&quot; Yildirim said. 
 
He added that work would then begin on a brand new constitution, an issue that has been one of the most controversial issues in Turkish politics over the last few months. 
 
The current constitution was drawn up in the wake of 1980 coup and the government has long called for it to be changed. 
 
Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) want to introduce an executive presidential system but the prime minister did not mention this in his speech. 
 
Erdogan, whose AKP holds the majority in parliament, earlier met with Republican People&#39;s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chief Devlet Bahceli in a meeting aimed at finding political harmony after the coup. 
 
The head of the pro-Kurdish Peoples&#39; Democratic Party (HDP) Selahattin Demirtas was not invited to the palace talks but Yildirim said the HDP could also take part in talks on the constitution. 
 
Yildirim confirmed that the gendarmerie, which looks after domestic security, and the coastguard would also be brought under the control of the interior ministry instead of the army. 
 
(AFP)

Prime Minister Yildirim said a small change to remove obstacles from the constitution would be made, without giving further details

The Turkish government is ready to work with all the main opposition parties in drafting a new constitution, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said yesterday, after months of deadlock on the issue. "All the main parties are ready to start work on a new constitution," Yildirim told reporters in Ankara, saying that this was made clear in a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and two opposition leaders earlier in the day. He said that in a first step a "small amendment" would be made to the constitution in the aftermath of the July 15 attempted putsch, without specifying further. "There will be a small change to remove obstacles from the constitution and the work is underway to do this," Yildirim said. He added that work would then begin on a brand new constitution, an issue that has been one of the most controversial issues in Turkish politics over the last few months. The current constitution was drawn up in the wake of 1980 coup and the government has long called for it to be changed. Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) want to introduce an executive presidential system but the prime minister did not mention this in his speech. Erdogan, whose AKP holds the majority in parliament, earlier met with Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chief Devlet Bahceli in a meeting aimed at finding political harmony after the coup. The head of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Selahattin Demirtas was not invited to the palace talks but Yildirim said the HDP could also take part in talks on the constitution. Yildirim confirmed that the gendarmerie, which looks after domestic security, and the coastguard would also be brought under the control of the interior ministry instead of the army. (AFP)

Turkey govt to work with opposition on new constitution

President Tayyip Erdogan tightened his grip on Turkey on Saturday, ordering the closure of thousands of private schools, charities and other institutions in his first decree since imposing a state of emergency after the failed military coup.&nbsp;A restructuring of Turkey&#39;s once untouchable military also drew closer, with a planned meeting between Erdogan and the already purged top brass brought forward. 
 
In the decree, published by the Anadolu state news agency, Erdogan extended to a maximum of 30 days from four days the period in which some suspects can be detained. It said this was to facilitate a full investigation into the coup attempt.&nbsp;Erdogan, who narrowly escaped capture and possible death during the July 15 coup attempt, told Reuters in an interview on Thursday he would restructure the armed forces and bring in &quot;fresh blood&quot;. 
 
Turkey&#39;s Supreme Military Council (YAS) will meet under Erdogan&#39;s supervision on July 28, a few days earlier than originally planned, private broadcaster NTV reported, a sign that the president wants to act fast to ensure the armed forces are fully under the government&#39;s control. 
 
Reinforcing that message, the YAS meeting, which usually takes place every August, will be held this time in the presidential palace, not as is customary at the headquarters of the military General Staff. 
 
Erdogan has accused US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who has many followers in Turkey and abroad, of masterminding the failed coup, in which at least 246 people were killed. Gulen denies the charge and has condemned the coup. 
 
PURGES 
 
Erdogan declared the state of emergency late on Wednesday saying it would enable authorities to swiftly and effectively root out supporters of the coup. 
 
The state of emergency allows the president and government to pass laws without first having to win parliamentary support and also allows them to curb or suspend rights and freedoms as they deem necessary. 
 
Turkish authorities have already launched a series of mass purges of the armed forces, police, judiciary and education system, targeting followers of Gulen, who operates an extensive network of schools and charitable foundations. 
 
The first decree signed by Erdogan authorises the closure of 1,043 private schools, 1,229 charities and foundations, 19 trade unions, 15 universities and 35 medical institutions over suspected links to the Gulen movement, the Anadolu agency said. 
 
Parliament must still approve the decree but requires only a simply majority, which the ruling AK Party founded by Erdogan and in power in Turkey since 2002 commands. 
 
In an address to lawmakers late on Friday Erdogan vowed to bring to justice supporters of the Gulenist &quot;terrorist&quot; movement and he urged Turks to continue attending rallies in major cities in support of democracy and against the coup plotters. 
 
Turkey expects to complete within a week to 10 days a dossier requesting Gulen&#39;s extradition from the United States, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told private broadcaster NTV in an interview. 
 
Cavusoglu said the link between soldiers involved in the abortive coup and Gulen&#39;s extensive network of followers was &quot;very clear&quot;, adding that Turkey would do all it could &quot;politically and legally&quot; to secure his extradition. 
 
Washington has said Ankara needs to provide clear evidence of Gulen&#39;s involvement before it can agree to extradite him. Lawyers say the process could take many years. 
 
On Friday evening Erdogan held his first meeting since the coup with the head of the national intelligence agency, Hakan Fidan, after complaining of significant intelligence shortcomings ahead of the coup attempt. Despite media speculation, however, he did not sack Fidan. 
 
After the coup Western countries pledged support for democracy in Turkey, a NATO ally and an important partner in the fight against Islamic State, but they have also expressed concern over the scale of the subsequent purges of state institutions. 
 
Turkish authorities have suspended, detained or placed under investigation more than 60,000 soldiers, police, judges, teachers, civil servants and others in the past week. 
 
Speaking at a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bankers in China on Saturday, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said Turkey would strongly adhere to democratic principles and the rule of law. 
 
(Reuters)

The first decree signed by Erdogan authorises the closure of thousands of schools, unions, charities over suspected links to Fethullah Gulen

President Tayyip Erdogan tightened his grip on Turkey on Saturday, ordering the closure of thousands of private schools, charities and other institutions in his first decree since imposing a state of emergency after the failed military coup. A restructuring of Turkey's once untouchable military also drew closer, with a planned meeting between Erdogan and the already purged top brass brought forward. In the decree, published by the Anadolu state news agency, Erdogan extended to a maximum of 30 days from four days the period in which some suspects can be detained. It said this was to facilitate a full investigation into the coup attempt. Erdogan, who narrowly escaped capture and possible death during the July 15 coup attempt, told Reuters in an interview on Thursday he would restructure the armed forces and bring in "fresh blood". Turkey's Supreme Military Council (YAS) will meet under Erdogan's supervision on July 28, a few days earlier than originally planned, private broadcaster NTV reported, a sign that the president wants to act fast to ensure the armed forces are fully under the government's control. Reinforcing that message, the YAS meeting, which usually takes place every August, will be held this time in the presidential palace, not as is customary at the headquarters of the military General Staff. Erdogan has accused US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who has many followers in Turkey and abroad, of masterminding the failed coup, in which at least 246 people were killed. Gulen denies the charge and has condemned the coup. PURGES Erdogan declared the state of emergency late on Wednesday saying it would enable authorities to swiftly and effectively root out supporters of the coup. The state of emergency allows the president and government to pass laws without first having to win parliamentary support and also allows them to curb or suspend rights and freedoms as they deem necessary. Turkish authorities have already launched a series of mass purges of the armed forces, police, judiciary and education system, targeting followers of Gulen, who operates an extensive network of schools and charitable foundations. The first decree signed by Erdogan authorises the closure of 1,043 private schools, 1,229 charities and foundations, 19 trade unions, 15 universities and 35 medical institutions over suspected links to the Gulen movement, the Anadolu agency said. Parliament must still approve the decree but requires only a simply majority, which the ruling AK Party founded by Erdogan and in power in Turkey since 2002 commands. In an address to lawmakers late on Friday Erdogan vowed to bring to justice supporters of the Gulenist "terrorist" movement and he urged Turks to continue attending rallies in major cities in support of democracy and against the coup plotters. Turkey expects to complete within a week to 10 days a dossier requesting Gulen's extradition from the United States, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told private broadcaster NTV in an interview. Cavusoglu said the link between soldiers involved in the abortive coup and Gulen's extensive network of followers was "very clear", adding that Turkey would do all it could "politically and legally" to secure his extradition. Washington has said Ankara needs to provide clear evidence of Gulen's involvement before it can agree to extradite him. Lawyers say the process could take many years. On Friday evening Erdogan held his first meeting since the coup with the head of the national intelligence agency, Hakan Fidan, after complaining of significant intelligence shortcomings ahead of the coup attempt. Despite media speculation, however, he did not sack Fidan. After the coup Western countries pledged support for democracy in Turkey, a NATO ally and an important partner in the fight against Islamic State, but they have also expressed concern over the scale of the subsequent purges of state institutions. Turkish authorities have suspended, detained or placed under investigation more than 60,000 soldiers, police, judges, teachers, civil servants and others in the past week. Speaking at a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bankers in China on Saturday, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said Turkey would strongly adhere to democratic principles and the rule of law. (Reuters)

Turkey's Erdogan closes more schools, extends detention without charge period

All political prisoners in Turkey are being denied the right to meet lawyers, family, and make phone calls, said the Mesopotamia Lawyers Association. 
 
In addition, Turkey has banned 72 websites after&nbsp;after a failed coup which targeted the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 15.&nbsp;Turkey has also dismissed almost 9,000 officials, including a massive number of police officers,&nbsp;the state-run Anadolu news agency said yesterday citing the interior ministry. 
 
A total of 8,777 public personnel including 7,899 police, one provincial governor and 29 governors of towns have been dismissed, the ministry said.&nbsp;They also include 614 members of the police force that looks after domestic security, it added. 
 
Turkey&#39;s cracked down on coup plotters has left over 290 dead, as President Erdogan pointed the finger of blame at the supporters of US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is believed to wield influence in the police and judiciary. 
 
Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey would consider reinstating the death penalty after the failed attempt to overthrow his government. 
 
&quot;In democracies, decisions are made based on what the people say. I think our government will speak with the opposition and come to a decision,&quot; he said, reacting to crowds in Istanbul calling for capital punishment. 
 
&quot;We cannot delay this anymore because in this country, those who launch a coup will have to pay the price for it,&quot; he told supporters after attending funerals for the putsch victims. 
 
In the aftermath of Friday&#39;s foiled coup, there have been frequent calls from thousands of Erdogan supporters for capital punishment to make a return. 
 
Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 under reforms aimed at obtaining European Union membership. 
 
Reinstatement would create further issues between the EU and Ankara in the already stalled membership talks. 
 
Erdogan repeated calls for the United States to extradite Fethullah Gulen, blaming the coup on the US-based Islamic preacher and his followers, which he describes as a terrorist organisation. 
 
Gulen condemned the military uprising &quot;in the strongest terms&quot; in a rare interview with reporters in Pennsylvania and rejected charges of being the coup mastermind, suggesting Erdogan may have staged it himself. 
 
Erdogan earlier broken down in tears at the funeral of his long-time friend, Erol Olcak, and his 16-year-old son who were shot dead on Friday on the Bosphorus bridge. 
 
(Agencies)

Turkey has also banned 72 news websites after?a coup attempt on July 15 targeting the government of President Recep Erdogan failed

All political prisoners in Turkey are being denied the right to meet lawyers, family, and make phone calls, said the Mesopotamia Lawyers Association. In addition, Turkey has banned 72 websites after after a failed coup which targeted the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 15. Turkey has also dismissed almost 9,000 officials, including a massive number of police officers, the state-run Anadolu news agency said yesterday citing the interior ministry. A total of 8,777 public personnel including 7,899 police, one provincial governor and 29 governors of towns have been dismissed, the ministry said. They also include 614 members of the police force that looks after domestic security, it added. Turkey's cracked down on coup plotters has left over 290 dead, as President Erdogan pointed the finger of blame at the supporters of US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is believed to wield influence in the police and judiciary. Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey would consider reinstating the death penalty after the failed attempt to overthrow his government. "In democracies, decisions are made based on what the people say. I think our government will speak with the opposition and come to a decision," he said, reacting to crowds in Istanbul calling for capital punishment. "We cannot delay this anymore because in this country, those who launch a coup will have to pay the price for it," he told supporters after attending funerals for the putsch victims. In the aftermath of Friday's foiled coup, there have been frequent calls from thousands of Erdogan supporters for capital punishment to make a return. Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 under reforms aimed at obtaining European Union membership. Reinstatement would create further issues between the EU and Ankara in the already stalled membership talks. Erdogan repeated calls for the United States to extradite Fethullah Gulen, blaming the coup on the US-based Islamic preacher and his followers, which he describes as a terrorist organisation. Gulen condemned the military uprising "in the strongest terms" in a rare interview with reporters in Pennsylvania and rejected charges of being the coup mastermind, suggesting Erdogan may have staged it himself. Erdogan earlier broken down in tears at the funeral of his long-time friend, Erol Olcak, and his 16-year-old son who were shot dead on Friday on the Bosphorus bridge. (Agencies)

'Political prisoners denied the right to meet lawyers, family or make phone calls in Turkey'

More than 15,000 Turkish state education employees have been suspended after last week&#39;s attempted coup, the education ministry said today. 
 
It said in a statement: &quot;15,200 state employees have been suspended and an investigation has been launched into them&quot;. 
 
The ministry said the suspensions were linked to the &quot;Fethullah Terrorist Organisation&quot; (FETO), which is how it labels the loose network of followers of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, a foe of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 
 
Erdogan has laid the blame fully on Gulen and his followers who have strongly denied any links to the putsch. 
 
&quot;There is an investigation into those linked to FETO,&quot; the ministry said, but did not give further details on what kind of employees were suspended. 
 
Meanwhile, the country&#39;s higher education board demanded that 1,577 deans at universities resign, state-run news agency Anadolu reported today. 
 
Among the deans, 1,176 are from state universities, while 401 deans work at private foundation universities, Anadolu said. 
 
Since the failed putsch on Friday, about 9,000, including police and government officials, have been sacked. 
 
Another 7,500 have been detained including top generals accused of masterminding the plot. 
 
(AFP)

The education ministry said the suspensions were linked to the so-called 'Fethullah Terrorist Organisation' of a US-based Muslim cleric

More than 15,000 Turkish state education employees have been suspended after last week's attempted coup, the education ministry said today. It said in a statement: "15,200 state employees have been suspended and an investigation has been launched into them". The ministry said the suspensions were linked to the "Fethullah Terrorist Organisation" (FETO), which is how it labels the loose network of followers of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, a foe of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan has laid the blame fully on Gulen and his followers who have strongly denied any links to the putsch. "There is an investigation into those linked to FETO," the ministry said, but did not give further details on what kind of employees were suspended. Meanwhile, the country's higher education board demanded that 1,577 deans at universities resign, state-run news agency Anadolu reported today. Among the deans, 1,176 are from state universities, while 401 deans work at private foundation universities, Anadolu said. Since the failed putsch on Friday, about 9,000, including police and government officials, have been sacked. Another 7,500 have been detained including top generals accused of masterminding the plot. (AFP)

Turkey coup: 15,000 education staff suspended

Turkey has dismissed almost 9,000 officials, including a massive number of police officers, after a failed coup targeting the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the state-run Anadolu news agency said citing the interior ministry. 
 
A total of 8,777 public personnel including 7,899 police, one provincial governor and 29 governors of towns have been dismissed, the ministry said.&nbsp;They also include 614 members of the police force that looks after domestic security, it added. 
 
Turkey has cracked down on coup plotters that left over 290 dead, as Erdogan pointed the finger of blame at the supporters of US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is believed to wield influence in the police and judiciary. 
 
(AFP)

A total of 8,777 public personnel, including 7,899 police, one provincial governor and 29 governors of towns, have been dismissed

Turkey has dismissed almost 9,000 officials, including a massive number of police officers, after a failed coup targeting the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the state-run Anadolu news agency said citing the interior ministry. A total of 8,777 public personnel including 7,899 police, one provincial governor and 29 governors of towns have been dismissed, the ministry said. They also include 614 members of the police force that looks after domestic security, it added. Turkey has cracked down on coup plotters that left over 290 dead, as Erdogan pointed the finger of blame at the supporters of US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is believed to wield influence in the police and judiciary. (AFP)

Turkey dismisses almost 9,000 officials after failed coup

The United States urged Turkey on Saturday to exercise restraint after a failed military coup sparked a government crackdown, and warned its NATO ally that public suggestions of a US role in the plot were &quot;utterly false&quot; and harmful to relations. 
 
President Barack Obama urged parties on all sides of the crisis to avoid destabilising Turkey and follow the rule of law after the coup attempt against President Tayyip Erdogan. 
 
The coup attempt complicated US-led efforts to combat Islamic State. Turkey closed its airspace to military aircraft and power was cut off to Incirlik air base, which US forces use to launch air attacks against the militant group. 
 
US officials were working with Turkish officials to resume air operations quickly, the Pentagon said. 
 
Secretary of State John Kerry told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that authorities should respect the rule of law during their probe of the coup. 
 
He also said &quot;public insinuations or claims about any role by the United States in the failed coup attempt are utterly false and harmful to our bilateral relations,&quot; the State Department said. 
 
Turkey has long been a key US ally but relations have been strained in recent years and Erdogan&#39;s government has accused US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of being behind the coup attempt. 
 
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said any country that stands by Gulen will be considered at war with Turkey, and Erdogan urged Washington to deport the cleric.&nbsp;Kerry said the United States was willing to help Turkey as it tries to identify those involved in the coup attempt, but made clear it would only act if there was evidence against Gulen. 
 
&quot;We fully anticipate that there will be questions raised about Mr Gulen, and obviously we invite the government of Turkey ... to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny and the United States will accept that and look at it and make judgments appropriately,&quot; he said. 
 
Gulen has condemned the coup attempt and denied any involvement in it. 
 
Obama conferred with his national security and foreign policy advisers on Saturday morning and reiterated his support for the &quot;democratically-elected, civilian&quot; government of Turkey. 
 
&quot;While we have no indications as of yet that Americans were killed or injured in the violence, the president and his team lamented the loss of life and registered the vital need for all parties in Turkey to act within the rule of law and to avoid actions that would lead to further violence or instability,&quot; the White House said. 
 
Obama noted the United States needed continued cooperation from Turkey in the fight against terrorism. 
 
Forces loyal to Erdogan largely crushed the last remnants of the coup on Saturday as he launched a purge of the armed forces to tighten his grip on power.&nbsp;Turkey scrambled jets throughout Friday night to resist the coup launched by a faction within Turkey&#39;s military that saw rebels piloting military aircraft. 
 
The Incirlik air base near Adana in the southeast of the country was running on internal power sources after a loss of commercial power to the base, the Pentagon said. 
 
&quot;US officials are working with the Turks to resume air operations there as soon as possible,&quot; said Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook. &quot;In the meantime, US Central Command is adjusting flight operations in the counter-ISIL campaign to minimise any effects on the campaign.&quot; 
 
Threat to coalition fight 
 
Erdogan has cooperated with Washington in the fight against Islamic State, but relations have been rocky with US criticism of Erdogan&#39;s increasing authoritarianism, Turkey&#39;s support for Islamist opposition groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the slow pace in sealing Turkey&#39;s border with Syria to foreign fighters. 
 
The closing of the airspace over Incirlik effectively grounded US 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 &quot;capital&quot; of the caliphate declared by Islamic State. 
 
&quot;Clearly the variable here is how long the closure will last,&quot; said Jeffrey White, a former senior Defense Intelligence Agency analyst now with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. &quot;If we&#39;re unable to fly from Incirlik, it will have a significant impact on the air campaign.&quot; 
 
A Turkish presidency official in Istanbul said the move was temporary and aimed at preventing rogue aircraft from targetting civilians and government buildings. 
 
&quot;This is a short-term measure which won&#39;t have significant effect on coalition operations,&quot; the official said. &quot;We have discussed this measure with our colleagues in Washington as well and they understand our concerns.&quot; 
 
A prolonged closure of Incirlik&#39;s airspace could force the United States to divert aircraft based in the Persian Gulf to the Manbij and Raqqa offensives, constraining the air power available to support Iraqi and US forces involved in operations against Islamic State. 
 
It could also complicate the Pentagon&rsquo;s ability to resupply and aid US special forces inside Syria. 
 
(Reuters)

US President urges to exercise restraint, but also warns NATO-ally against insinuating America had anything to do with the coup

The United States urged Turkey on Saturday to exercise restraint after a failed military coup sparked a government crackdown, and warned its NATO ally that public suggestions of a US role in the plot were "utterly false" and harmful to relations. President Barack Obama urged parties on all sides of the crisis to avoid destabilising Turkey and follow the rule of law after the coup attempt against President Tayyip Erdogan. The coup attempt complicated US-led efforts to combat Islamic State. Turkey closed its airspace to military aircraft and power was cut off to Incirlik air base, which US forces use to launch air attacks against the militant group. US officials were working with Turkish officials to resume air operations quickly, the Pentagon said. Secretary of State John Kerry told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that authorities should respect the rule of law during their probe of the coup. He also said "public insinuations or claims about any role by the United States in the failed coup attempt are utterly false and harmful to our bilateral relations," the State Department said. Turkey has long been a key US ally but relations have been strained in recent years and Erdogan's government has accused US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of being behind the coup attempt. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said any country that stands by Gulen will be considered at war with Turkey, and Erdogan urged Washington to deport the cleric. Kerry said the United States was willing to help Turkey as it tries to identify those involved in the coup attempt, but made clear it would only act if there was evidence against Gulen. "We fully anticipate that there will be questions raised about Mr Gulen, and obviously we invite the government of Turkey ... to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny and the United States will accept that and look at it and make judgments appropriately," he said. Gulen has condemned the coup attempt and denied any involvement in it. Obama conferred with his national security and foreign policy advisers on Saturday morning and reiterated his support for the "democratically-elected, civilian" government of Turkey. "While we have no indications as of yet that Americans were killed or injured in the violence, the president and his team lamented the loss of life and registered the vital need for all parties in Turkey to act within the rule of law and to avoid actions that would lead to further violence or instability," the White House said. Obama noted the United States needed continued cooperation from Turkey in the fight against terrorism. Forces loyal to Erdogan largely crushed the last remnants of the coup on Saturday as he launched a purge of the armed forces to tighten his grip on power. Turkey scrambled jets throughout Friday night to resist the coup launched by a faction within Turkey's military that saw rebels piloting military aircraft. The Incirlik air base near Adana in the southeast of the country was running on internal power sources after a loss of commercial power to the base, the Pentagon said. "US officials are working with the Turks to resume air operations there as soon as possible," said Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook. "In the meantime, US Central Command is adjusting flight operations in the counter-ISIL campaign to minimise any effects on the campaign." Threat to coalition fight Erdogan has cooperated with Washington in the fight against Islamic State, but relations have been rocky with US criticism of Erdogan's increasing authoritarianism, Turkey's support for Islamist opposition groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the slow pace in sealing Turkey's border with Syria to foreign fighters. The closing of the airspace over Incirlik effectively grounded US 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. "Clearly the variable here is how long the closure will last," said Jeffrey White, a former senior Defense Intelligence Agency analyst now with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "If we're unable to fly from Incirlik, it will have a significant impact on the air campaign." A Turkish presidency official in Istanbul said the move was temporary and aimed at preventing rogue aircraft from targetting civilians and government buildings. "This is a short-term measure which won't have significant effect on coalition operations," the official said. "We have discussed this measure with our colleagues in Washington as well and they understand our concerns." A prolonged closure of Incirlik's airspace could force the United States to divert aircraft based in the Persian Gulf to the Manbij and Raqqa offensives, constraining the air power available to support Iraqi and US forces involved in operations against Islamic State. It could also complicate the Pentagon’s ability to resupply and aid US special forces inside Syria. (Reuters)

Any country that stands by Gulen will be considered at war with Turkey: Prime Minister Yildirim

The United Nations Security Council failed on Saturday to condemn the violence and unrest in Turkey, after Egypt objected to a statement that called on all parties to &quot;respect the democratically elected government of Turkey,&quot; diplomats said. 
 
The US-drafted statement, seen by Reuters, also expressed grave concern over the situation in Turkey, urged the parties to show restraint, avoid any violence or bloodshed, and called for an urgent end to the crisis and return to rule of law. 
 
Statements by the 15-member Security Council have to be agreed by consensus. 
 
&quot;We proposed different language that respects democratic and constitutional principles, but the Americans refused to engage,&quot; Egypt&#39;s UN ambassador Amr Aboulatta told Reuters. 
 
?Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is a former general who overthrew elected President Mohamed Mursi, of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, in 2013 after mass protests against Mursi. Turkey provided support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. 
 
Diplomats said Egypt asked for a call for all parties to &quot;respect the democratically elected government of Turkey&quot; to be removed from the draft statement, saying the council is &quot;in no position to qualify, or label that government - or any other government for that matter - as democratically elected or not&quot;. 
 
After the United States and Britain objected to the proposed change to the text, Egypt proposed that the council call on the parties in Turkey to &quot;respect the democratic and constitutional principles and the rule of law,&quot; diplomats said. 
 
Negotiations on the text ended at this point, diplomats said. 
 
The Egyptian foreign ministry said that it was &quot;surprised that its proposed amendment was not taken up, and with the claim that it is obstructing the release of the statement.&quot; 
 
Turkish forces loyal to President Tayyip Erdogan largely crushed an attempted military coup on Saturday after crowds answered his call to take to the streets in support of the government and dozens of rebels abandoned their tanks. 
 
(Reuters)

Egyptian diplomats said the UN council is in no position to qualify or label any government as democratically elected or not

The United Nations Security Council failed on Saturday to condemn the violence and unrest in Turkey, after Egypt objected to a statement that called on all parties to "respect the democratically elected government of Turkey," diplomats said. The US-drafted statement, seen by Reuters, also expressed grave concern over the situation in Turkey, urged the parties to show restraint, avoid any violence or bloodshed, and called for an urgent end to the crisis and return to rule of law. Statements by the 15-member Security Council have to be agreed by consensus. "We proposed different language that respects democratic and constitutional principles, but the Americans refused to engage," Egypt's UN ambassador Amr Aboulatta told Reuters. ?Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is a former general who overthrew elected President Mohamed Mursi, of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, in 2013 after mass protests against Mursi. Turkey provided support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Diplomats said Egypt asked for a call for all parties to "respect the democratically elected government of Turkey" to be removed from the draft statement, saying the council is "in no position to qualify, or label that government - or any other government for that matter - as democratically elected or not". After the United States and Britain objected to the proposed change to the text, Egypt proposed that the council call on the parties in Turkey to "respect the democratic and constitutional principles and the rule of law," diplomats said. Negotiations on the text ended at this point, diplomats said. The Egyptian foreign ministry said that it was "surprised that its proposed amendment was not taken up, and with the claim that it is obstructing the release of the statement." Turkish forces loyal to President Tayyip Erdogan largely crushed an attempted military coup on Saturday after crowds answered his call to take to the streets in support of the government and dozens of rebels abandoned their tanks. (Reuters)

Egypt blocks UN call to respect 'democratically elected' government in Turkey

As 90 people were reported killed and more than 1150 injured in Turkey during the attempted overnight coup by the military, the United Nations today said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following closely and with concern the fast-moving developments in Turkey and has appealed for calm, non-violence and restraint. 
 
In a statement issued in New York, the UN spokesman said, &quot;At this moment of uncertainty in the country, the Secretary-General appeals for calm, non-violence and restraint. 
 
Preservation of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and assembly, remain of vital importance.&quot;The Secretary-General underscores that military interference in the affairs of any state is unacceptable.&nbsp;It will be crucial to quickly and peacefully affirm civilian rule and constitutional order in accordance with principles of democracy,&quot; the spokesman added. 
 
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said, &quot;Just spoke to Turkish FM. I call for calm, restraint &amp; full respect for Turkey`s democratic institutions and constitution.&quot; 
 
United States has called on all parties in Turkey to support President Erdogan&#39;s government against a coup attempt. 
 
Avoid bloodshed: India, US&nbsp; 
 
Speaking jointly after talks in Moscow, US secretary of state John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said they hoped that stability would prevail in Turkey and bloodshed would be avoided. 
 
Meanwhile, India has called upon all sides to support democracy and mandate of the ballot, and avoid bloodshed. 
 
Turkey has a history of coups with governments ousted on three occasions in the last decades by full military coups. 
 
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the &quot;situation in the country is largely under control&quot;. He said a national curfew was announced, and other security forces had been called in to &quot;do what is necessary&quot;. He said 1563 soldiers detained in the coup attempt. 
 
(ANI)&nbsp;

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed for calm, non-violence and restraint. Military interference is unacceptable he said

As 90 people were reported killed and more than 1150 injured in Turkey during the attempted overnight coup by the military, the United Nations today said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following closely and with concern the fast-moving developments in Turkey and has appealed for calm, non-violence and restraint. In a statement issued in New York, the UN spokesman said, "At this moment of uncertainty in the country, the Secretary-General appeals for calm, non-violence and restraint. Preservation of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and assembly, remain of vital importance."The Secretary-General underscores that military interference in the affairs of any state is unacceptable. It will be crucial to quickly and peacefully affirm civilian rule and constitutional order in accordance with principles of democracy," the spokesman added. North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said, "Just spoke to Turkish FM. I call for calm, restraint & full respect for Turkey`s democratic institutions and constitution." United States has called on all parties in Turkey to support President Erdogan's government against a coup attempt. Avoid bloodshed: India, US Speaking jointly after talks in Moscow, US secretary of state John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said they hoped that stability would prevail in Turkey and bloodshed would be avoided. Meanwhile, India has called upon all sides to support democracy and mandate of the ballot, and avoid bloodshed. Turkey has a history of coups with governments ousted on three occasions in the last decades by full military coups. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the "situation in the country is largely under control". He said a national curfew was announced, and other security forces had been called in to "do what is necessary". He said 1563 soldiers detained in the coup attempt. (ANI)

International community reacts to attempted coup in Turkey, calls for calm