What was the role of Incirlik Air Base in the coup attempt?

Some soldiers stationed at Incirlik Air Base supported the coup attempt. Two tanker planes took
off from the base to refuel F16s hijacked by the coup plotters to keep airstrikes and sonic booms
going. After the coup attempt failed, the authorities arrested five senior military officials,
including Gen. Bekir Ercan Van, the commander of the tanker division.
At this time, coalition missions continue to use Incirlik Base to target ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
What will happen to 8 Turkish soldiers who applied for asylum in Greece?
The soldiers hijacked a helicopter to escape Turkey. The aircraft has since been returned to
Turkey and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told President Erdogan that the individuals in
question will be extradited to Turkey as soon as possible.
We are monitoring the legal process closely and work closely with the Greek authorities.
Why is President Erdogan in Istanbul?
The President was in Marmaris when the army faction attempted to overthrow the government.
When it became clear that a group of special forces were on their way to kill him and his family
at the hotel, he traveled to Istanbul by plane.
After the juntas statement was recited on the state broadcaster, the President went on live
television to call the people to defy the curfew and take to the streets. He said he would join the
pro-democracy crowd in Istanbul. Upon his arrival, he addressed ordinary citizens who had
liberated the airport and he has been in Istanbul since.
The coup plotters immediate targets were Istanbul and Ankara. Right now, the President
remains with pro-democracy demonstrators in Istanbul as the Prime Minister and the cabinet are
in Ankara.
Will Turkey reinstate the death penalty?
On July 15, the rogue soldiers targeted symbols of national sovereignty including the
Presidential Palace and the Parliament.
Having risked their lives to prevent the coup, the people demand that the perpetrators are
charged with treason and be sentenced to death.
Turkey abandoned the capital punishment in 2002 and there have been no executions since
1984. However, the Parliament can decide to reinstate the death penalty if they deem necessary.
The President has also made it clear that parliamentarians must make the decision. But he said
he would sign the bill into law if adopted.
Will the United States extradite Fethullah Glen to Turkey?
The soldiers who perpetrated the failed coup consist of members of the terrorist group led by
Gulen and military officers who supported their plans to suspend the Constitution and overthrow
the elected government.
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We demand that the United States government extradite Fethullah Gulen to Turkey. He led an
illegitimate attack against Turkish democracy which claimed over 200 casualties.
We will share evidence with the United States linking Fethullah Gulen to the July 15 coup
attempt and we believe that the United States, as Turkeys strategic partner and ally, must take
necessary steps to ensure Fethullah Gulen is brought to justice.
Why is Turkey blocking certain news websites?
The situation is under control, but there are still a number of coup plotters at large. In this sense,
we are taking necessary measures to prevent additional hijackings and attacks.
This is a sensitive time for Turkey. Media outlets that endorse the coup, spread false rumors to
create panic or try to fuel violence among the people receive a warning. If they continue to
engage in such activities, the authorities obtain court orders to restrict access to their websites.
Why were civil servants forced to cancel their vacations?
A number of civil servants were suspended or detained over their alleged involvement in the
attempted coup.
To maintain public order and provide public services, the Prime Ministry has ordered all civil
servants to return to their posts.
Is there a travel ban in effect?
Absolutely not. Following the coup attempt, we are taking necessary measures to bring those
responsible to justice. In this sense, the authorities are checking international travelers using
official passports more thoroughly. The additional security measures inevitably cause delays,
but there is absolutely no travel ban. Freedom of movement is guaranteed by the Constitution,
which we have fought armed soldiers to defend.
Are there missing military officials and aircraft?
No. There have been false rumors on social media that large numbers of aircraft were missing to
spread fear among the people and keep them off the streets. But the Ministry of Defense clearly
stated that there were no missing aircraft.
Meanwhile, the authorities are still in the process of bringing those involved in the coup attempt
to justice.
Provided that a large number of people were removed from their posts or arrested, can
Turkey continue to fight terrorism?
Turkey continues to fight terrorist organizations including ISIS and PKK. When people linked
to the coup attempt are suspended, their responsibilities are taken over by law-abiding civil
servants. In other words, they are replaced immediately.
If anything, we believe that Turkey will be able to fight terrorism more effectively now that
military personnel operating outside the chain of command are being removed from their posts.
Whats your response to the claim that the coup was staged by the government?

Let me start by saying that we strongly condemn self-proclaimed experts and journalists who are
trying to account for more than 200 casualties, the occupation of strategic government buildings
and the bombardment of the symbols of Turkeys democracy with conspiracy theories.
If you believe that Jews are running the world, 9/11 was an inside job or that US President
Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim socialist, it would be acceptable for you to actually entertain
the thought that the government staged a coup. There is a small minority everywhere that
believes such outlandish claims but its deplorable for the mainstream media to talk about it.
For the first time in history, the Turkish Parliament came under attack. The President and his
family survived an assassination attempt. Everything was broadcast live. People around the
world, along with pro-democracy crowds on the streets, have witnessed what happened in
Turkey.
What lies ahead for Turkey-EU relations?
Joining the European Union remains a strategic goal for Turkey. Since 1960, the country
experienced five military coups and coup attempts but we continued the long walk to
democracy. What happened on July 15 wont discourage us. We will continue to work closely
with the EU.
What lies ahead for Turkey-NATO relations?
The July 15 coup attempt took place outside the chain of command within the second largest
NATO army in the world. In other words, the attack against Turkish democracy wasnt
sanctioned by the military command. Following the coup attempt, the President has spoken by
phone with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who reiterated NATOs support for the
elected government. Turkey has been a NATO member since 1952 and we look forward to work
closely with our allies in the future.
Is President Erdogan using the coup attempts as an excuse to crack down on his
opponents?
On July 15, the army faction didnt attack the President. They tried to suspend the Constitution,
arrest all civilian leaders and hijack the country. It was therefore that not only the President but
also the Prime Minister, opposition leaders and military commanders publicly condemned the
coup attempt and showed solidarity with pro-democracy forces. People from various political
backgrounds took to the streets to defy the curfew.
There is no question that those responsible for this attack on Turkish democracy must face legal
consequences. The entire country demands the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
But as the President said, we demand justice, not revenge. The courts will determine each
individuals role in the failed coup and punish them accordingly. This isnt politics, its strictly a
legal procedure.
Why wasnt the Presidential Palace hit?
The presidential palace was targeted by helicopters and tanks hijacked by the coup plotters. Our
understanding is that the army faction wanted to seize control of the building rather than destroy
it. The tanks fired at the building, security officers were fired upon and helicopters tried to land

within the compound walls. Without the sacrifice of the security forces and ordinary citizens,
the presidential palace would have fallen to the coup plotters.