American General Denies Any Involvement in Turkey's Failed Coup

General Joseph Votel, head of the U.S. Central Command in the Middle East, on Friday described Turkish officials' claims regarding his support for the failed coup in Turkey as "completely inaccurate." According to Reuters, General Votel stated in a press release: "Any reports suggesting that I played a role in the recent failed coup in Turkey are undesirable and completely false." The senior U.S. military official emphasized that Turkey has been an extraordinary and vital partner for years in the region. While praising the ongoing cooperation with Turkey, he expressed anticipation for continued collaboration in the fight against ISIS (Islamic State). On Thursday, General Votel had expressed concern about the repercussions of the failed coup in Turkey and its impact on short- and long-term cooperation between Washington and Ankara. His statement came just hours after remarks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In response to General Votel's concerns about the consequences of the failed coup and the detention of military personnel, Erdoğan said, "Instead of appreciating Turkey for its fight against the coup, you are siding with the coup plotters. The coup plotters are currently in your country." Erdoğan was referring to Fethullah Gülen, who has been accused of orchestrating the failed coup and currently resides in the U.S. Gülen denies any involvement in the coup. Following the failed coup on July 15, the Turkish government began purging the military, government institutions, and universities. According to the Associated Press, the Turkish government has so far detained 16,000 people in connection with the failed coup. The report adds that since then, over 66,000 individuals in various government institutions, including the military, judiciary, ministries, municipalities, universities, Turkish Airlines, and the health sector, have been suspended or dismissed on charges of links to the Gülen movement. At least 246 people were killed and 2,000 injured during the failed coup in Turkey. Regarding the failed coup, Erdoğan also rejected Western countries' criticisms of the purges and detentions in Turkey, implicitly stating that some in the U.S. support the coup plotters. The Turkish president remarked that the perspective of many countries and their officials towards the coup in Turkey, under the guise of democracy, is shameful. Erdoğan added, "Any country and any leader who is more concerned about the fate of the coup plotters than the people and democracy in Turkey cannot be considered a friend." The Turkish president also stated that the detention of individuals linked to the failed coup will continue. Following reports about the shutdown of over 130 print, visual, and audio media outlets in Turkey, the European Union and the International Federation of Journalists expressed concern over the widespread media crackdown in the country and urged Ankara to respect fundamental freedoms. In this context, the European Union expressed concern over the media repression in Turkey, as Turkish officials have dismissed hundreds of military personnel and shut down over 130 media outlets. The Turkish Prime Minister stated that the U.S. approach regarding Gülen has broken their hearts and that changes will be made to the constitution. Amnesty International reported on "abuse and torture" of detainees related to the coup in Turkey.