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Erdogan Reign of Terror Following Failed Coup Plot |
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By Stephen Lendman |
| He’s back in Ankara, military forces loyal to his regime crushing remnants
of Friday’s rebellion. His first order of business is solidifying power,
eliminating opposition and hardening dictatorial rule. It's just beginning.
Security forces retook control of state-run broadcaster TRT after rebels seized it. Turkish Airlines resumed flights to and from Istanbul’s Ataturk airport after suspending them yesterday. Various international airlines halted their own as a precaution. Harsh crackdowns against coup plotters and supporters began. According to Erdogan, over 2,800 military personnel were arrested, ranging from soldiers to high-ranking officers. Rebellion failed to gain traction, more a tempest in a teapot than revolution. All government ministries and facilities remain in regime control. Turkey’s Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), its highest judicial authority, suspended 2,745 judges and removed five of its members, according to state-run Analolu news agency. Turkey’s justice ministry runs it. Arrest warrants were issued for 140 Constitutional Court members and 48 Council of State administrative court judges. Erdogan vowed harsh punishment against coup plotters and their supporters. A White House statement said Obama assembled his national security and foreign policy team on Saturday to discuss developments in Turkey. In an unprecedented show of solidarity, all parties represented in parliament issued a joint declaration of anti-coup unity. Instability in Turkey adds uncertainty to an already troubled region. How it affects Obama’s war on Syria and overall Middle East policy remains to be seen. Hardening of despotic rule seems certain. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. |
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