Turkish President Orders Patrolling Flights over Country
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan instructed military combat planes to conduct patrols across Turkey airspace, days after F-16s and choppers flew above the country in a failed coup attempt.
Erdogan has said the patrol flights are aimed at airspace control and ensuring security purposes, Turkey-based Anadolou Agency reported on Sunday.
The announcement comes as F-16 combat jets were used by coup leaders late Friday and early on Saturday to attack the parliament building and near the Turkish presidential complex.
Rogue military elements made a “vile” attempt to overthrow Turkey’s democratically elected government, according to Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.
Some 2,839 military personnel linked to the coup attempt have been arrested, and 20 pro-coup soldiers, including senior officers, were killed.