Arrest Warrant Issued for Dozens of Turkish Air Force Pilots in Connection with Coup

The Turkish judiciary has issued arrest warrants for 73 pilots of the Turkish Air Force on charges of involvement in the failed coup attempt in July. According to Reuters and Turkish media, over 200 military and civilian individuals were arrested on Thursday in connection with the failed coup of July. Following the failed coup on July 26, 35,000 people have been arrested in Turkey, and more than 100,000 have been dismissed or suspended from their military and civilian jobs. Turkey holds Fethullah Gülen, a dissident cleric residing in the U.S., responsible for the failed coup and has requested his extradition to Ankara. Gülen denies these allegations. The Dogan news agency reported that the charges against these pilots include 'armed rebellion against the Republic of Turkey' and membership in a 'terrorist organization' led by Gülen. Anadolu Agency states that 71 of these pilots hold the rank of lieutenant. Turkish media have reported that police are investigating the Third Air Base in Konya. Last week, 47 people were arrested at the Konya base. So far, nearly 300 Turkish Air Force pilots have been arrested or dismissed in connection with the coup. These arrests coincide with Turkey's military intervention deep into Iraq and Syria, purportedly to combat ISIS. Both Syria and Iraq have demanded the withdrawal of Turkish forces from their territories. On Wednesday, the field command of the Syrian government-aligned forces warned Turkey not to approach their defensive positions in Aleppo. In this context, Turkey has issued arrest warrants for another 189 judges and prosecutors. The warning from the Syrian government-aligned forces to Turkey includes the evacuation of a thousand residents from villages near Mosul by special units of the Iraqi army. Obama called for 'close coordination' with Turkey in the fight against ISIS, while Turkey threatened to conduct ground operations in Iraq.