Turkey Attempted Coup

On 15 July 2016, a coup d'état was attempted in Turkey against the state institutions, including, but not limited to the government. The attempt was carried out by a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces that organized themselves under a council called the Peace at Home Council. As this council, the faction attempted to seize control of several key places in Ankara, Istanbul, and elsewhere, but failed to do so after forces loyal to the state defeated them. The council cited an erosion of secularism, the elimination of democratic rule, a disregard for human rights, and Turkey's loss of credibility in the international arena as reasons for the coup.[32][33] The government [34][35] accused the coup leaders of being linked to the Gülen movement—a group designated as a terrorist organization by the Turkish government and led by Fethullah Gülen, a self exile.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the head of US Central Command of "siding with coup plotters". Turkish Prime Minister Binaldi Yildirim called US General Joseph Votel's remarks on the coup a "confession".[36] Erdogan also accused the U.S. of protecting Fethullah Gülen, whom he accuses of being the coup's mastermind.[37] On the 2nd of August 2016 President Erdogan questioned Turkey's relationship with the United States and slammed the West for supporting terrorism and backing coup-plotters.[38]

The attempt had several consequences domestically. During the coup, over 300 people were killed and more than 2,100 were injured. Many government buildings, including the Turkish Parliament and the Presidential Palace, were damaged.[10][11][12][13] Mass arrests followed, with at least 6,000 detained, including at least 2,839 soldiers and, for reasons that remain unclear, 2,745 judges.[39][40][41] 15,000 education staff were also suspended and the licenses of 21,000 teachers working at private institutions were revoked as well after the government alleged they were loyal to Gülen.[42]

Reactions to the event were largely against the coup, both domestically and internationally. The main opposition parties in Turkey condemned the attempt, while several international leaders—such as those from the United States, NATO, and the European Union—called for "respect of the democratic institutions in Turkey and its elected officials."[43][44] International organizations expressed themselves against the coup as well. The United Nations Security Council, however, did not denounce the coup after over disagreements of the phrasing a statement.[45]