http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/17/asia/turkey-attempted-coup/
Turkey coup attempt: Erdogan rounds up suspected plotters By Sheena McKenzie and Ray Sanchez, CNN Updated 0344 GMT (1144 HKT) July 18, 2016 (CNN)Two days after a failed military coup, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed a continued crackdown on those behind it -- and those perceived to have been involved -- as large crowds heeded his call to fill the nation's streets. Thousands of soldiers have been arrested and hundreds of judiciary members removed since Friday's uprising, which left at least 290 people dead and more than 1,400 injured in a chaotic night of violence. Around 6,000 people have been detained and arrests will continue, according to Turkey's foreign ministry. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has vowed that "they will pay a heavy price." Erdogan said that he will remove the "viruses" from all state institutions. The arrests include Gen. Bekir Ercan Van, commander of the Incirlik Air Base, according to the Turkish President's office. The United States uses the airbase to launch airstrikes on ISIS in Syria and Iraq. An "order of detention" for Col. Ali Yazici, a senior military aide to Erdogan, has also been issued, according to Anadolu. Eight Turkish soldiers flew a helicopter to Alexandroupoli, Greece, hours after the failed coup attempt, where they were arrested and charged with "illegal entrance" into Greece. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said they would be extradited within "15 to 20 days," Erdogan said Sunday in a speech outside his Istanbul residence. Clashes occurred Sunday between security forces and coup plotters resisting arrest nearly 200 miles south of Ankara at Konya Airbase, a source told CNN. The government is now in control of the situation, the source said. Soldiers in the coup attempt surrender Saturday on Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge. Soldiers in the coup attempt surrender Saturday on Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge. Erdogan attended a funeral on Sunday held for some of those killed during gunfire -- including the brother of his chief adviser, Mustafa Varank. "It is not anything ordinary that my young brothers lay under tank pellets; this is a manifest of faith," Erdogan said. He also said he did not rule out bringing back the death penalty for the coup's perpetrators. As the crowd chanted "we want the death penalty," he said, "we can't ignore the people's request in a democracy -- this is your right." "This right has to be evaluated by the appropriate authorities according to the constitution and a decision can be made," Erdogan said in the address broadcast live on TV. He asked supporters to stay on guard. "You should fill the squares. This isn't a 12-hour operation. We will continue determinedly." Retribution begins in Turkey View from the streets People wave flags in Istanbul's Taksim Square on Saturday in support of the President. People wave flags in Istanbul's Taksim Square on Saturday in support of the President. In a rare show of unity, Turkey's political parties united to denounce Friday's coup attempt, but it's uncertain how long that solidarity will last. Erdogan remains a divisive figure in Turkey. "He's loved and worshiped by a good half of the country," CNN's Gul Tuysuz says. "The other half detests him passionately." Indeed there was concern among some opposition figures that the President's triumphant call to action would only embolden his tightening grip on Turkey. "My august nation gave the best answer to the coup plotters," he said Sunday and told his followers to keep up the pressure. Turkey's attempted coup: By the numbers • At least 161 civilians killed • 1,140 people wounded • 6,000 people arrested • 2,839 military officers detained • Nearly 200 top Turkish court officials in custody, including: • 140 members of the Supreme Court, 48 members of the Council of State • 11 years: Erdogan's reign as Prime Minister • 2014: Year that Erdogan ran for President -- and won Coup attempt: Five key questions answered The coup attempt comes as a shock to a country more familiar with tackling outside threats such as ISIS and the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. For now, Erdogan has urged pro-government protesters to continue rallying, saying: "That's what ruined their plot. But even as government leaders declare it's business as usual in Turkey, many people are grappling with the fallout from Friday's bloody uprising. "Many people are confused by the President's reaction to this uprising -- by his calls to have his followers continuously go out into the streets and create what can only be described as something of a festive atmosphere," said CNN's Arwa Damon in Istanbul. "At the end of the day, this is a country that is also trying to come to terms with the fact that around 200 of its citizens were just killed." European Council President Donald Tusk took to Twitter saying the European Union will be watching closely. Turkey is not an EU member, but it's a crucial partner in managing the refugee crisis. Donald Tusk ✔ @eucopresident How Turkey comes out of this crisis and deals with consequences crucial for Turkey, wider region and EU-Turkey cooperation 9:53 AM - 16 Jul 2016 102 102 Retweets 80 80 likes Snipped -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. 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