ANKARA, Turkey (AFP) by Stuart WILLIAMS Raziye AKKOC Turkey on Wednesday said it was discharging 149 generals and ordering the closure of dozens of media outlets, in the next phase of its controversial crackdown in the wake of the failed coup. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who survived the biggest threat to his 13-year domination of the country when supporters countered the plotters on the streets, has blamed the July 15 coup on the reclusive US-based preacher […]
Tag: Turkey
Erdogan declares 3-month state of emergency in Turkey
by Stuart WILLIAMS with Fulya OZERKAN and Frank ZELLER in Istanbul ANKARA, Turkey (AFP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday declared a three-month state of emergency, vowing to hunt down the “terrorist” group behind last week’s bloody coup attempt. He has accused followers of his arch-enemy, US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, of being behind the coup, which has led to a wave of some 50,000 arrests and sackings of suspected conspirators. The state of […]
Erdogan critics glad coup failed, fearful of backlash
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) by Fulya OZERKAN Three years ago, critics of Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan rallied against him in mass protests. Last Friday they were appalled by a coup attempt against him. Now they fear what may come next. A gloomy mood pervades Istanbul’s chic, secular neighbourhood of Besiktas, a left-wing stronghold and centre of opposition against Erdogan. While most here have no taste for military rule and are grateful the putsch failed, they are […]
Turkey needs rule of law ‘for sake of country itself’: EU’s Mogherini
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — Turkey must protect the rule of law following the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Monday, after authorities detained 6,000 in a ruthless crackdown. “We are the ones saying today rule of law has to be protected in the country, there is no excuse for any steps that take the country away from that,” Mogherini said as EU foreign ministers met in Brussels. “As […]
Turkish coup crumbles, President Erdogan returns
(Reuters) An attempted Turkish military coup appeared to crumble on Saturday after crowds answered President Tayyip Erdogan’s call to take to the streets to support him and dozens of rebel soldiers abandoned their tanks in the main city of Istanbul. At least 60 people were killed in violence that erupted on Friday after a faction of the armed forces attempted to seize power, officials said. A successful overthrow of Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey […]
FIBA OQT: Canada beats Turkey behind Joseph’s hot shooting night
Pasay City, Philippines – The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Olympic Qualifiers in Manila kicked off at the SM Mall of Asia Arena with Canada beating Turkey, 77-69, putting their team with a foot inside the door of the semi-final round. Canada went off to a very hot start and they were led by their team captain, Cory Joseph, who had 10 points in the first half while Tristan Thompson chipped in with 7 points to […]
13 charged over deadly Istanbul aiport bombings: report
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) — Thirteen suspects, including 10 Turks, were charged Sunday over the Istanbul airport suicide bombings, the deadliest of several attacks to strike Turkey’s biggest city this year, the Dogan news agency reported. Turkish officials have pointed blame at the Islamic State jihadist group for Tuesday’s gun and bomb spree at Ataturk airport, which left 45 people dead including 19 foreigners. The suspects, who are in police custody, were charged with belonging to […]
Istanbul airport bombers ‘planned hostage-taking’
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) by Katy Lee with Fulya Ozerkan in Ankara The suicide attackers who launched the deadly Istanbul airport assault were planning to take dozens of passengers hostage, Turkish media reported Friday, as two of the bombers were identified. Turkish officials have pointed blame at the Islamic State jihadist group for Tuesday’s gun and bomb spree at Ataturk airport, which left 44 people dead including 19 foreigners. “They say they are doing this […]
Tunisian killed in Istanbul attack seeking IS-linked son
TUNIS , Tunisia (AFP) — A Tunisian killed in the Istanbul airport attack blamed on the Islamic State group was in Turkey to secure the release of his son detained for joining the jihadists, diplomats said Wednesday. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim quickly pointed the finger at IS over Tuesday’s attack, which killed at least 41 people and wounded 239, although no group has claimed responsibility. One of the dead was a Tunisian identified as […]
41 dead in Istanbul airport carnage blamed on IS
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) by Katy Lee with Fulya Ozerkan in Ankara Turkey pointed the finger of blame at Islamic State jihadists Wednesday after suicide bombers armed with automatic rifles attacked Istanbul’s main international airport, killing 41 people, including foreigners. Witnesses described scenes of terror and panic on Tuesday evening as the attackers began shooting indiscriminately and then blew themselves up at the entrance to Ataturk airport, one of Europe’s busiest hus. The assault, which comes at […]
Gilas Pilipinas talo sa tune-up game
(Eagle News) — Matapos matalo sa ginawang ‘tune-up game kontra’ sa bansang Turkey, inaasahan umanong magsasagawa ng ‘adjustment’ ang Gilas Pilipinas para sa muli nitong paghaharap sa susunod na buwan. Batay sa ulat, sa iskor na 103-68, tila pinaglaruan ng Turkey ang Team Gilas sa nasabing match na isinagawa sa Abdi Ipekci Arena sa Istanbul, Turkey kahapon ng madaling araw. Ang naturang ‘tune-up game’ ay bahagi pa rin ng paghahanda ng pambansang koponan para sa […]
Syrian and Russian aircraft step up bombing of Aleppo city – monitor
(Reuters) Nearly 50 air strikes hit rebel-held areas in and around the Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday in some of the heaviest recent raids by Russian and Syrian government aircraft, residents and a monitoring group said. The group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, also said an unidentified war plane had crashed in countryside south of Aleppo, in an area where Islamist rebel fighters are battling the Syrian army and Iranian-backed forces. It […]
