Fortnightly Review & Analysis - West Asia & The Middle East (Vol 1 Issue II)

(July 1-15, 2016)

Turkey

Coup Attempt in Turkey Foiled

Amidst the ongoing turmoil in different parts of West Asia, Turkey also caught the headlines in almost all the news agencies globally. On 15 July, a coup was attempted against the Turkish civilian leadership by thousands of military personnel. During the gunfire and explosions, approximately 265 civilians and security personnel were killed and over 1,000 were wounded. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was vacationing at the time of the crisis, made use of video messaging application Face Time to call on the citizens to take to the streets against the coup. The ploy worked with people in large numbers responding to his appeal and helping the beleaguered President.

The entire episode started with a group of soldiers taking swift control of the country’s television broadcaster and Army’s General Staffs headquarters in Ankara. Several other troops with tanks blocked the iconic Bosphorous and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges in Istanbul which serve as gateways linking Asia and the European continent. Following Erdogan’s call on the social media, thousands of anti-coup protestors moved towards the bridges, Ataturk Airport and Taksim Square. The city witnessed severe clashes between pro-coup military personnel and Erdogan supporters. Forces loyal to the President moved in swiftly and effectively to foil the mutinous forces from taking control.

The President flew back into Ankara, escorted by loyal fighter jets though shadowed by a couple of pro-coup jets which surprisingly did not make any effort to intercept, his administration regained firm control. Cracking down on the coup leaders with a heavy hand, Erdogan took up stringent measures against those who participated or were connected with the unsuccessful coup attempt. More than 58,000 soldiers, police personnel, judges and several other government employees have been reportedly detained and suspended from their jobs and are kept under investigation. Out of this total, 15,000 employees from the education ministry were fired, 257 officials from the Prime Minister's Office and 492 clerics from the directorate for religious affairs were sacked, while 1,500 university deans were asked to resign. The government also ordered firing of nearly 8,800 policemen, arrested 6,000 soldiers, 2,700 judges and prosecutors, dozens of governors and 100-plus generals. Additionally, 20 websites which were considered critical of the government have been blocked. A ban has been imposed on academicians from leaving the country and Erdogan ordered those who are abroad to return to the country. Finally, the Turkish parliament approved a bill declaring state of emergency for three months.

A blame-game ensued up between Erdogan and Fethullah Gulen, a cleric who resides in the United States (US) on a self-imposed exile. Erdogan believed that Gulen’s followers were behind the coup while the exiled cleric said it was “staged by the government” itself. Despite these claims and counter claims, the attempted coup was widely condemned world wide. India too was quick to extend support to the elected government though it did issue the usual travel advisory for its citizen living in Turkey or transiting there from.

This incident happened at a very wrong time when Turkey is facing increasing threats from terrorist organisations such as Daesh and separatist outfit, PKK. Most of the attacks are because of Ankara’s participation in the US-led anti-Daesh air coalition. The attempted coup might impact on Turkey’s military operations particularly in Syria. Turkish authorities had temporarily suspended all US-led military operation from Incirlik airbase but resumed quickly. The problem in Turkey is not going to end anytime soon. Finally, the trajectory of its ties with the US and the European Union will likely see certain developments if Erdogan is to remain stuck to his idea of death penalty for those who were involved in the failed coup attempt.