The 'Failed Coup' in Turkey Left 265 Dead

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in support of the Turkish government and its president following the failed coup. The Turkish Prime Minister has stated that 'everything is completely under control.' The coup in Turkey resulted in at least 265 deaths, 1,440 injuries, the arrest of coup leaders, hundreds of soldiers and officers, and the issuance of arrest warrants for over 2,700 judges within 24 hours. Moment-by-moment developments of the coup have seen Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Turkey, who was on vacation, return to Istanbul hours after the coup began. He has accused Fethullah Gülen, a religious leader residing in the United States, of orchestrating the coup, a claim Gülen has denied. Turkish leaders have threatened severe punishment for those involved in the coup. So far, the deaths of 104 soldiers and 261 civilians and police forces have been confirmed. Over 2,800 military personnel have been detained, and arrest warrants for more than 2,700 judges have also been issued, with previous reports indicating the dismissal of these judges. The accusations against the judges appear to be related to their involvement or complicity in the coup. Two current commanders of the second and third army corps, a former air force commander, and two constitutional court judges are among those detained in recent hours. The Turkish Defense Minister stated on the night of July 26 that 'we must remain vigilant,' while emphasizing that 'all points are under the control of the government.' World leaders, including officials from Iran, the United States, and Europe, have expressed support for the elected Turkish government and condemned the coup. Russia has also expressed concern about 'provoking the political situation in Turkey' and 'its impact on terrorism in the country' and 'increasing instability in the world and the region.' Moscow has called for the coup to be resolved without violence and bloodshed by the Turkish government. The Canadian Foreign Ministry has also urged the Turkish government to adhere to 'fundamental democratic principles' in the aftermath of the coup and allow the accused to defend themselves in fair courts. Meanwhile, a resolution condemning the Turkish coup at the United Nations Security Council has faced opposition from Egypt, a non-permanent member of the council. According to a French news agency citing an Egyptian diplomat, this country has not blocked the draft resolution but stated that 'this process requires greater vigilance.' The current government of Egypt, which came to power through military upheaval, has faced tensions and crises with Turkey. In 2013, following the ousting of Mohamed Morsi by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the current president and army commander, relations between the two countries severely deteriorated, and Erdoğan personally stated that 'his government would never respect military-appointed rulers.' On the other hand, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in a conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, stated that public claims of U.S. involvement in the Turkish coup would damage relations between the two NATO allies. Kerry also called for respect for the law during the investigations into the 'failed coup' in Turkey.