Attempted military coup in Turkey

Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge.
Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge.

Ongoing updates and discussion on the attempted military coup in Turkey with contributions from working-class radicals on the ground.

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 15, 2016

A group of the Turkish Military "rebelled" (according to the PM) against the government as of July 15th, about 10PM. It is not clear if it succeeded or not yet. I will update as I learn more.

Comments

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 15, 2016

Sorry for the wording...

S. Artesian

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by S. Artesian on July 15, 2016

Thanks for the heads up.

Black Badger

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Black Badger on July 15, 2016

BBC has reported many different locations of gunfire in Ibstanbul...

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 15, 2016

İ am in a central loc. İn İstanbul. Heard No gunfires. But helicopters are flying and the bridges are blocked by the military

syndicalist

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by syndicalist on July 15, 2016

Both Harratz and The Telegraph reporting in on it.

Telegraph headline:

Turkey coup: military attempt to seize power from Erdogan as low flying jets and gunfire heard in Ankara and bridges across Bosphorus in Istanbul closed

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/15/turkey-low-flying-jets-and-gunfire-heard-in-ankara1/

petey

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on July 15, 2016

thanks mikail.
beeb:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36809083

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 15, 2016

It is still unclear if the coup has failed or succeeded. The Army General Staff just announced to coup a minute ago. The Prime Minister was just saying the it was attempted but failed. It seems the military is in control in the center of Ankara. That is a key administrative location where the national parliament, army/navy headquarters and many ministerial buildings are.

I feel as long as Erdogan does not appear, either as a prisoner of the Turkish army or from some hideout, the fate of the coup will remain unclear. I expect things to become clearer in a couple of hours.

Fleur

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Fleur on July 15, 2016

Keep safe Mikail.

Ed

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Ed on July 15, 2016

Yes, keep safe Mikail. Also, has anyone heard from Devrim? There've been quite a few attacks since we last heard from him..

petey

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on July 15, 2016

and Leo

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 15, 2016

It is reported now that the coup is unhierarchical. Whoever attempted it, they are either not following orders from the General Staff or they are a minority within it. This means since, Erdogan is not captured yet, I fear, there is a chance that things can escalate into a civil war.

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

according to the Graun:

Some more detail on the statement said to come from Turkey’s armed forces. They have reportedly said in emails reported on Turkish TV that they have taken power to protect the democratic order and to maintain human rights.

They added that all of Turkey’s existing foreign relations would be maintained and that the rule of law would remain the priority. The Guardian has not seen the correspondence and, therefore, can yet verify where it has come from or on behalf of whom - exactly - it was sent.

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 15, 2016

The guardian rep. is true. Some are reporting clashes btw. The army and the police

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/jul/15/turkey-coup-attempt-military-gunfire-ankara?page=with:block-57894dfde4b073c22786c878#block-57894dfde4b073c22786c878

The full Turkish military statement reads: “Turkish Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and general security that was damaged.

“All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue.”

The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is on holiday and outside the country. Reuters has quoted a source within his office as saying that he is safe.

Serge Forward

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on July 15, 2016

Aye, keep safe, comrades in Turkey.

For those watching in GB, RT seems to be covering it closely.

radicalgraffiti

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by radicalgraffiti on July 15, 2016

Ed

Yes, keep safe Mikail. Also, has anyone heard from Devrim? There've been quite a few attacks since we last heard from him..

he posted on facebook about this a few minutes ago

Serge Forward

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on July 15, 2016

Claims on RT that Erdogan has left the country.

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

according to the German-language Kurdish (close to PKK) website Kurdische Nachrichten - Nûçe - News:

AKP headquarter in Istanbul surrounded by the army

AKP calls for popular resistance against the coup

clashes between army and police in Ankara

petey

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on July 15, 2016

https://mobile.twitter.com/DiegoCupolo?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

erdogan and others arrested ?

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

army announced nationwide curfew according to the leftwing German-Turkish journalist Kerem Schamberger

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

any interesting stuff from leftwing sites like Sendika or Bianet?

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

martial law declared and the new government calls itself "peace council"

Devrim

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Devrim on July 15, 2016

I'm fine, safe at home, thanks for asking.
Devrim

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

some German leftwing sources speculate about an involvement of the Gülen movement

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 15, 2016

Erdogan spoke from hideout via skype on tv. He was defiant and called for the "nation" to gather in town squares.

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 15, 2016

AKP people are claiming that this is a Gulenist coup. I would take this with a pinch of salt though. What is clear is that this is not a hierarchical, top-down coup.

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

MHP opposes the coup according to Daily Sabah (pro-AKP-rag)

petey

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on July 15, 2016

mikail firtinaci

Erdogan spoke from hideout via skype on tv. He was defiant and called for the "nation" to gather in town squares.

ah - not arrested then

MT

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by MT on July 15, 2016

aljazeera had a broadcast with a spokesman of the government who seemed to look panic-struck. can anyone confirm?

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-36811357

A European Union source tells the Reuters news agency: "It looks like a relatively well orchestrated coup by a substantial body of the military, not just a few colonels." "They control several strategic points in Istanbul. Given the scale of the operation, it is difficult to imagine they will stop short of prevailing," the source adds.

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 15, 2016

ah - not arrested then

Nope. This is the silliest military coup in the history of the Republic. And considering that the Turkish military has a long history of coups, for a body specialized in overthrowing governments, this coup seems to be the weakest ever in its history. Most important of all, the military failed to capture Erdogan and the government leaders. As long as Erdogan evades capture it is unlikely that the situation can stabilize.

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

according to Kurdische Nachrichten - Nûçe - News: helicopters attack TRT (state TV) building in Ankara and clashes on Taksim square in Istanbul

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

Erdogan on the way to Germany to claim asylum there?

http://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/putschversuch-in-der-tuerkei-bericht-erdogan-soll-auf-dem-weg-nach-deutschland-sein_id_5734952.html (in German)

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 15, 2016

just gossip. At the moment he can't leave the country

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

military opened fire on civilians in Istanbul (source: Kurdische Nachrichten - Nûçe - News)

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 15, 2016

http://www.anfenglish.com/news/huge-explosion-near-the-general-staff-office-in-ankara

On the other hand, tanks deployed at Atatürk Boulevard opened fire on groups gathering in the area. The results of the shooting couldn't be verified amid reports of injuries.

petey

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on July 15, 2016

gov't tweets

https://mobile.twitter.com/trpressoffice

Devrim

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Devrim on July 15, 2016

The government may well tweet, but Twitter is down.
Devrim

Devrim

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Devrim on July 15, 2016

17 policemen killed in a small Ankara town.
Devrim

Craftwork

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Craftwork on July 15, 2016

You should be able to access Twitter/facebook/whatever using Tor (if you don't already use it).

https://www.torproject.org/

RebelRising

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by RebelRising on July 16, 2016

Gov't is saying the coup already failed...

I'm still not clear on where the senior command was during all this; people were speculating early on that they had been detained. Can anybody clarify?

jesuithitsquad

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jesuithitsquad on July 16, 2016

Glad to hear comrades are safe. I imagine the days to come will be far more brutal as Erodgan consolidates power. He's already called the attempt "a gift from god," so I can only imagine what the repression will look like moving forward. Stay safe.

jesuithitsquad

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jesuithitsquad on July 16, 2016

mikail firtinaci

ah - not arrested then

Nope. This is the silliest military coup in the history of the Republic. And considering that the Turkish military has a long history of coups, for a body specialized in overthrowing governments, this coup seems to be the weakest ever in its history. Most important of all, the military failed to capture Erdogan and the government leaders. As long as Erdogan evades capture it is unlikely that the situation can stabilize.

So, question for Turkish comrades and others--

Really early on in the process there was a lot of speculation on social media that the coup was a farce, orchestrated to use as a pretext for passing constitutional reform. I didn't think much of it at the time, but it looks like subsequent events have given the idea legs amonst some well known US Foreign Policy wonks. As I'm writing, the speculation has now spread to the CNN coverage.

I wonder what those on the ground and others with knowledge of Turkish domestic politics think of the idea.

ETA: CNN reporting that 5 Generals and 29 Colonels have been arrested, along with some 700-odd others

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 16, 2016

http://www.anfenglish.com/news/at-least-90-killed-1-154-injured-and-1-563-detained-in-turkey

As many as 90 people died, 1,154 were injured and 1,374 soldiers were detained during incidents ongoing in Turkey since last night.

Mersin Garrison Commander and Mediterranean Regional Commander Rear Admiral Nejat Atilla Demirhan, Military Operations Chief of Staff Brigadier General Ekrem Çağlar and 39th Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Hasan Polat are among the top military officials taken into custody.

Gulai Polye

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Gulai Polye on July 16, 2016

Its funny how Erdogan says there will be no democracy, then later when the military tries to get rid of him the people goes to the street and support him ... uugh

jef costello

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jef costello on July 16, 2016

RebelRising

Gov't is saying the coup already failed...

I'm still not clear on where the senior command was during all this; people were speculating early on that they had been detained. Can anybody clarify?

If it was a real coup that they hadn't organised then they were probably sitting tight waiting to see what happened.
My memory could be playing tricks on me but I remember when I was in Turkey someone telling me that coups were less likely as there had been a distinct effort to put in religious officers and thatthe command could not be certain that its men would follow orders in a coup. And the army has been purged at least once since then. Erdogan will certainly be happy if he has a chance to secure his power over the army as I think it's one of the few institutions left that could challenge him. Either way, it's not good for turkish people.

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 16, 2016

Update:

- So far the coup attempt seems to be averted. It was organized by low ranking officers. However, several generals are still hiding or kept under arrest by the junta rebels. So, the outcome is not certain yet.

- Throughout the night, imams called for jihad from the mosques. Several thousands of pro-AKP people and islamists are gathered and confronted the soldiers. Many soldiers yielded to these mobs and after that the police forces entered the scene, and seized the rebels.

- The rebel junta first seized central Ankara, Kizilay. All the military headquarters of the army and navy general staff, the parliament building and ministerial buildings are in Kizilay. In Istanbul the rebel junta occupied the Bosphorus bridge and the ataturk airport - the main airport in Istanbul. By the early hours in the morning pro-government mobs and the police gained control in all these places. However, the situation in the military barracks are still uncertain.

-In some cases the mobs massacred the soldiers. In Turkey military service is mandatory and except the rich, everyone has to serve either after graduating from high school or university. Naturally many GIs did not have a clue about what they were involved in and just following orders.

- The government is blaming Fettullah Gulen, who is the leader of an islamist sect and who is in exile in the US. When AKP came to power in 2002, Gulenist sects were considered as an ally of the AKP. They were granted many privileges and several posts in the police were reserved for the Gulenists. However, Gulenist sects were especially hated by the army elites who were mostly secular Kemalists. After 2013 Gulen and AKP government had a falling out and the government liquidated all the Gulenists from the bureaucracy. -- UPDATE-- As things get clearer it seems that many Gulenists officers were leading the junta. I was initially confused because the junta manifesto was worded in a secular and Kemalist tone. However, there is still uncertainty. What is clear is that the solidity of military discipline and respect for military hierarchy in the Turkish Army is questionable at least.

- The coup only had a chance if they could seize Erdogan and the government cabinet members. It is strange that they failed to do that and that is the reason behind all the conspiracy talk about a government organized concerted coup. I think that the junta had to play its hand early and prematurely because in August, about two weeks from now, the High Military Council was scheduled to gather. HMC decrees the high level military appointments and it is headed by the head of state, in this case Erdogan. Traditionally HMC is known to systematically liquidate those officers who are suspected of disloyalty to the regime by forcing them to retirement. One way or another the junta faction might have feared a mass liquidation and hence the coup. This is the most likely explanation for this sudden coup and its failure.

- The pendulum will likely to swing to the other pole now. This stupid coup attempt boosted the moral of the Erdogan regime by giving it a "democratic" legitimacy in the face of a military attack, a legitimacy which it was losing since the Gezi revolt. If the coup is averted as the government declared, I expect more social repression and and the curtailing of political rights will be the outcome. Islamists will become bolder and there is a huge likelihood of pogroms against leftists, seculars and alevi minorities.

- This coup shows clearly that the Turkish state is deeply fragmented. The members of the bureaucracy and officer corps are not loyal to a constitutional republican ideal based on bourgeois civil rights and citizenship. In the distribution of official positions meritocratic criteria do not apply any more. State allegiances are divided between religious sects and personalities. That is no joke. Sooner or later this state may collapse. This can be both and advantage and a disadvantage for the proletarians. This situation intensifies the danger of a sectarian civil war akin to the Ukraininan, Libyan or Syrian civil war. On the other hand it can also weaken the ideological legitimacy of the state if the working class finally goes on to offense. Since the latter case does not seem to be on the horizon yet, things can only get worse in the short run.

- Obviously, neither the military junta nor the islamist regime represents the interests of the working class. Whichever side prevails, they will make sure that the proletariat pays. What is clear is that Turkish state is in shambles and further chaos will likely ensue. As a NATO country this is a huge threat for the region and the world. If Turkey falls into a civil war, or turns into an Islamist dictatorship, or falls into the hands of a semi-fascist Kemalist Junta, the political and social chaos we are witnessing in the Middle East will spread even further and deepen. Whatever the outcome will be world proletariat will face even more chaos. Comrades all over the world must see the severity of this danger. All anarchist and marxist communists should realize the huge responsibility they carry on their shoulders.

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 16, 2016

from Kerem Schamberger's Facebook page (in German):

- many of the officers arrested were previously involved in counterinsurgency measures in Kurdistan

- eight high-ranking officers have fled to Greece in an helicopter, they got arrested there and have claimed asylum

- Erdogan has called the coup a "gift from god"

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 16, 2016

not completely over: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/jul/15/turkey-coup-attempt-military-gunfire-ankara?page=with:block-578a0be7e4b033b610b6e456#block-578a0be7e4b033b610b6e456

Anti-government group take over frigate, according to Greek military

Reuters is reporting that an anti-Government group has taken over a frigate and taken the head of the Turkish fleet hostage at Turkey’s Golcuk naval base.

jesuithitsquad

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jesuithitsquad on July 16, 2016

Thanks for the update and analysis mikail. US media reported that due to prior purge, in the officer corps only the colonels and brigadier generals (1 star) have questionable loyalties. Officers the rank of major and below have come up under the new officer rules and are presumed loyal, while upper level generals only retain their positions because they are overtly Erdogan-men. The preliminary reports indicate this to be backed by events on the ground, as it appears to be a colonel's coup, both demographically (in terms of those arrested) as well as in it's limited execution.

As you said above, the coup seems to have failed on two fronts, both strategically and in that it has helped transform an autocrat into a guardian of democracy (an actual phrase used by more than one foreign policy pundit in describing Erdogan last night--guardian and defender, don't ya know!).

one interesting claim is that those in the streets fighting the coup included supporters of the opposition parties. This information is being presented as evidence of a 'sea change' moment in that even those who disagree with Erdogan now reject the military's role as an arbiter--of sorts--in domestic affairs. Do these claims jive with your experience?

jesuithitsquad

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jesuithitsquad on July 16, 2016

Entdinglichung

- eight high-ranking officers have fled to Greece in an helicopter, they got arrested there and have claimed asylum

Also, this is why the remnants of lower ranking officers will likley fight to the death. Those without resources for an escape plan know what their fate will be if captured, so why not fight on?

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 16, 2016

jesuithitsquat;

Very accurate summary on the situation of the army, thanks!

The pro-government mobs -probably only a couple of thousands in all- were mostly paramilitary islamists and greywolf fascists. I asked many friends and saw several videos; you could tell they were islamo-fascists from the islamist slogans they shouted. Of course I expect some working class AKP supporters were also on the streets. However, the majority was lumpen it is clear.

Today or tomorrow there may be big mass demonstrations, but make no mistake all of these will be organized by the government. Most people watched and waited.

About the rebel officers; already hundreds of them are arrested. They must by now know that their chances of success is very low. The main problem is the rebel officers can not trust the loyalty of their troops. Many soldiers occupying the symbolic locations surrendered without a fight just in a couple of hours and that was a huge moral boost to the government, giving the impression that the country was actively behind the government.

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 16, 2016

In this picture fascists are beating surrendered rank-and-file soldiers who were occupying the the Bosporus Bridge in Istanbul. Police is merely watching:

In this video an islamist with a gun is aiding the police in an attack on a military building in Ankara:

Bknz sokaklara kimler çıkmış!#DarbeDegilTiyatropic.twitter.com/dUQecgAvQ2— sound__ (@aimeXer) July 16, 2016

At the end of the video he is saying: "pro-Fettulah and secular dogs are trying to fight the state. Our police asked for help and we came to their aid. Pray Insallah. Selamun Aleykum"

noslavery

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by noslavery on July 16, 2016

Consider possibility of a fake coup.

Wayne

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Wayne on July 16, 2016

Thank you to Mikhail and others. This thread has helped me make some sense of these serious events, which I didn't get from mainstream sources.

jef costello

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jef costello on July 16, 2016

"How defiant Turks chased coup plotters from Bosphorous Bridge"
"For Turkey's sake Erdogan must resist desire for revenge"
Assuming he cares enough to read The Guardian he must be laughing his head off.

Joseph Kay

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Joseph Kay on July 16, 2016

US Consulate

Be advised that local authorities are denying movements on to and off of Incirlik Air Base. The power there has also been cut. Please avoid the air base until normal operations have been restored.

http://adana.usconsulate.gov/mobile//sm-071616.html

Incirlik reportedly holds around 50 nuclear weapons.

petey

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on July 16, 2016

i second what Wayne said.
is kurremak(sp) in turkey too?

petey

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on July 16, 2016

edward luttwak confirms mikail's analysis about leaving erdogan at liberty

http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/07/16/why-turkeys-coup-detat-failed-erdogan/

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 16, 2016

Fascist and islamist had their day of rage today. It was like the movie Purge all day. Islamo-fascists burned and looted the shops of Syrian migrants ın Ankara and Konya. Mobs attacked the Alavi minority neighborhoods. I was with friends today in a left-wing, student district in İstanbul and there were clashes with the fascists all night. Lumpen mobs harassed women everywhere. It was like the Ottoman days when the sultans after conquering a city allowed his victorious soldiers to rape and loot for three days. Erdogan let his lumpen armies loose and wants everyone to tremble with fear....

Perhaps, the regime wants the streets to be filled day and night just to make sure that any other coup attempt would have to be bloody. And they make sure that proles have to die for them. Horrible night for the Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian migrant workers today.

jesuithitsquad

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jesuithitsquad on July 16, 2016

Cripes, This sounds even worse than I could've imagined. Solidarity from here to there, for what it's worth comrades. Stay safe tonight y'all.

Ed

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Ed on July 16, 2016

Barbaric Pro #Erdogan #Akp supporters beaten up by anti-fascists in #Armutlu #Antakya #Turkey pic.twitter.com/tlFklejxyO— FakeParty (@thefakeparty) July 16, 2016

Mikail, I'm just posting things that I come across on the internet. I've no way of understanding what's going on beyond the captions I'm reading; are they accurate? How has resistance been in some of the area mentioned?

jesuithitsquad

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jesuithitsquad on July 16, 2016

Meanwhile, none of this is getting covered in US mainstream outlets from what I've seen. Turkey has been pushed aside for pre-Republican Convention coverage.

ETA: From the twitter feed petey linked to above:

Alevi civilians protecting their houses from Islamist mobs. pic.twitter.com/EARdypsp2H— Hamza Hemze حمزة‎ (@sergermed) July 16, 2016

(Can't get image to embed)
Admin: sorted.

Juan Conatz

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Juan Conatz on July 16, 2016

What is not getting covered? Turkey is all over the newspapers, news sites and news channels...

jesuithitsquad

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jesuithitsquad on July 17, 2016

Juan Conatz

What is not getting covered? Turkey is all over the newspapers, news sites and news channels...

The street fighting, reprisals, etc. I'm referring to cable news and rhe extent of that coverage I've seen today seems to be a recap of the events of the coup, profiles of Gulen, and a lot of retired US generals pulling the 'not that I've thought much about it, but if you were going to pull off a coup first cut communications, kill the president, arrest congress...but yeah, this is america
nothing like that could ever happen here...' routine.

P.S. thanks admin!

baboon

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by baboon on July 17, 2016

To confirm some of Mikail's point above, RT reported last night that conscript soldiers, who thought that they were on manoeuvres, were being lynched by mobs although the place was unspecified. This "Gift from God" has really strengthened Erdogan's position in the short term but increased the destabilisation of Turkey and the wider Middle Eas in the medium termt.

All the world's major leaders kept quiet for a while only supporting "democracy" and "the rule of law" when it was clear that Erdogan still maintained control.

Gulen and his Hizmet faction is more than a simple dissident refugee in the States but wields enormous political power there. It is a major backer of Mrs Clinton;s presidential campaign, has extensive interests in the Democratic Party and has all sorts of facilities across America: schools, think-tanks, newspapers as well as an estimated fifty billion dollar treasury.

It's possible, but seems unlikely that the Gulen movement was involved in this pathetic attempt at a coup.

Alf

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Alf on July 17, 2016

very important work Mikhail. From what you have written the situation looks extremely dangerous for the working class and revolutionaries at the moment, not to mention other elements in society who also face pogroms, probably linked to more direct government repression. Solidarity, and take care.

Serge Forward

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on July 18, 2016

Many thanks to Mikhail for all this. Keep safe fella.

Entdinglichung

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 18, 2016

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-could-threaten-countrys-nato-membership-john-kerry-warns-a7142491.html

Auto

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Auto on July 18, 2016

Possibly unrelated to the Coup, but the deputy mayor of Istanbul's Sisli district, Cemil Candaş has just been shot in the head after a gunman burst into his office. I believe he belongs to the opposition CHP party.

Link

petey

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on July 18, 2016

mikail firtinaci

- The coup only had a chance if they could seize Erdogan and the government cabinet members. It is strange that they failed to do that and that is the reason behind all the conspiracy talk about a government organized concerted coup. I think that the junta had to play its hand early and prematurely because in August, about two weeks from now, the High Military Council was scheduled to gather. HMC decrees the high level military appointments and it is headed by the head of state, in this case Erdogan. Traditionally HMC is known to systematically liquidate those officers who are suspected of disloyalty to the regime by forcing them to retirement. One way or another the junta faction might have feared a mass liquidation and hence the coup. This is the most likely explanation for this sudden coup and its failure.

as talk of a sham intensifies i'm keeping this in mind.

jef costello

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jef costello on July 18, 2016

According to the BBC State news is claiming that former head of the airforce General Akin Ozturk has admitted organising the coup.
70 generals and admirals detained, 11 of them have been arrested. That adds to the 8000 cops and I think 3000 soldiers.
Interesting that the coup failed to round up anyone useful but the 'response'...

baboon

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by baboon on July 18, 2016

Some purge. In echo's of Stalin's purges the lists were already drawn up. Some three million civil servants are forbidden to leave the country. The Grey Wolves and the JITEM death squads are unleashed and the war with the Kurds will intensify even more.

There's great instability here and NATO and the EU will be concerned. And just as concerning for them is a seemingly anti-US turn by the AKP. Senior military in the coup were based at Incirlik airport and it's likely that they had some rapprochement with the US and Nato forces on the base. The Americans are harbouring Fettulah Golen for its own imperialist interests that represents a permanent threat to the AKP.. There's been talks with Assad, a number of them and they're ongoing and it doesn't look yet like any of the coup plotters were involved in these. And immediately after his "comeback" Erdogan had very warm words for Iran and Russia.

The whole situation is certainly unstable in the longer-term. It also looks to be fairly unstable in the short-term.

slothjabber

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by slothjabber on July 19, 2016

There was talk of rapproachment with Russia some weeks ago. If the US is involved with the coup attempt, then it may have been a move to forestall that.

At the same time, relations between the Erdogan government and ISIS seem to have deteriorated (to the extent of IS bombings in Turkey). Plottings and counter-plottings around a re-alignment of Turkish foreign policy?

Serge Forward

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on July 19, 2016

The Grauniad says 15,000 education workers have been sacked in purges.

nokta

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by nokta on July 19, 2016

The number of individuals who been purged in Turkey after the coup attempt reaches 45000+.via @ashishjena94 pic.twitter.com/uxs5FKTHCO— Turkey Untold (@TurkeyUntold) 19. Juli 2016

More then 45,000 people have been removed or suspended. Also 1,577 deans at all universities have been requested to resign (http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2016/07/19/world/europe/19reuters-turkey-security-universities.html?_r=0) and press cards have been revoked. They must have had lists of people prepared before...

There are also reports that 12 military ships are "missing". Wikileaks says that they are going to release over 100k documents/emails about turkish government/Erdoğan today.

Auto

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Auto on July 19, 2016

Wikileaks has just released 294,548 emails from the AKP, apparently mostly dealing with external matters. Looks like it's the first of a number of releases.

Serge Forward

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on July 20, 2016

BBC today says:

Turkey has temporarily banned all academics from travelling abroad, officials say.
...

More than 50,000 people have been rounded up, sacked or suspended, including about 21,000 teachers.

petey

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on July 25, 2016

petey

https://twitter.com/sergermed

these posters were very active but haven't been on since july 21.

also hope mikail, devrim and others are okay.

jesuithitsquad

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jesuithitsquad on July 25, 2016

petey

petey

https://twitter.com/sergermed

these posters were very active but haven't been on since july 21.

also hope mikail, devrim and others are okay.

I thought the same thing recently. Would be nice to hear from them just to know they're ok

Serge Forward

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on July 25, 2016

Devrim posted on here yesterday.

mikail firtinaci

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by mikail firtinaci on July 25, 2016

Hey folks, thank you for your concern, but please don't worry. I am perfectly fine and safe. I am sorry that I could not answer to the questions earlier and update on the situation. I started writing a more detailed article and that's why I did not post anything for the last couple of days.

For the time being, the islamist&fascist gangs retreated from the streets, and for the last couple of days there aren't any harassment of Alevi, secular and left neighborhoods . It became clearer that there wasn't any secular&Kemalist motive or cadres behind the coup (that is at least what many people claim). Also, since nobody came out in support of the coup the government is not targeting leftists at the moment. Things are still very tense, but the government seems wholly focused on purging the Fettullah Gulen sect. All the parliamentary parties, including the left HDP and CHP are supporting AKPs purge campaign against the Gulenists.

Steven.

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on July 25, 2016

Thanks very much for the updates and info Mikail, really interesting stuff. Yes would be great to see a more detailed article about what has happened at some point!

baboon

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by baboon on July 25, 2016

Well done mikhail.

There's a massive attack on the working class unfolding here.

RT reports today that at least 3 of the 5 Turkish army regiments that were involved in the coup are part of the NATO force.
Among many others, the two Turkish pilots who shot down the Russian fighter-jet were arrested last week for "involvement in the coup" (al-Jazeerah).

Craftwork

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Craftwork on July 25, 2016

"So apparently the attempted coup in Turkey was planned over Whatsapp and there was a certain Major Karabekir who kept sharing memes to the Whatsapp group and had to be told to stop"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208271451518314&set=a.1252694871857.2038211.1064071524&type=3&theater

The Pigeon

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by The Pigeon on July 25, 2016

Amateurs

Auto

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Auto on July 30, 2016

There's apparently a big Pro-Erdogan demonstration planned here in Köln for tomorrow, along with counter demonstrations. both right and left.

Generally speaking the police and authorities seem pretty wary of potentially rising tensions.

Chilli Sauce

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Chilli Sauce on July 30, 2016

Auto, you're in Germany?!?

Auto

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Auto on July 30, 2016

Yeah, been out here since the start of the year, working out in NRW.

nokta

7 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by nokta on August 1, 2016

40.000 went to the Pro-Erdoğan demonstration in Cologne. Although it was promoted as a general demo against the coup and for democracy it was 100% Pro-Erdğan and AKP demo. There was also a demonstration of the german right against "islamization" etc. and different counter-demonstrations by leftists/kurdish groups. Nothing really happened. But apparently there is more trouble between Germany and Turkey because the Police forbid a video-livestream talk by Erdoğan on the demonstration.

@Auto: Interesting to see someone from SF in NRW, I'll send you an PM

Entdinglichung

7 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on August 11, 2016

http://sendika10.org/2016/08/wallerstein-writes-for-erdogan-and-how-ali-ergin-demirhan/

Spikymike

7 years 6 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on September 2, 2016

An interesting comment piece on the failed coup describing the Gulen/Hismet movements influence and shifting relationships between Turkey, USA and Russia that adds to some points made earlier on this thread but written before the latest Turkish military invasion of Syria here:
www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/2010s/2016/no-1345-september-2016/turkey-background-failed-coup

Spikymike

7 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on January 5, 2017

The recent change of alliances between Turkey, Russia and Iran in relation to Syria, and the containment/isolation of the norther Syrian Kurdish regime if it survives at all beyond the USA's temporary interest in supporting it's fight with ISIS, shows no sign of any respite in Turkey's ongoing civil war amidst competing nationalism's and ideological divisions between secularism and Islamism with the later apparently rampant if this liberal commentators descriptions following the most recent attack on the nightclub are to be believed?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/03/reina-islamic-fanaticism-turkey-new-years-eve-massacre

Spikymike

6 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on April 26, 2017

The Turkish state military has now extended it's suppression of it's internal Kurdish opposition by bombing the Syrian Kurdish forces in Syria (and also inflicting 'collateral' damage on the Iraqi Peshmerga) despite opposition from the USA who have continued to provide militarily support to the 'autonomous' Syrian Kurdish regime in it's fight with ISIS - not sure where this leaves the NATO alliance - does it mark a further imperialist realignment - is it the beginning of the end for the Syrian Kurdish experiment?