Turkey’s Erdogan slams U.S. reaction after failed coup
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s president on Friday slammed the United States for not standing firmly against a failed military coup and accused it of harboring the man he says was the plot’s mastermind, as a government crackdown in the coup’s aftermath strained Turkey’s ties with key allies.
Turkey has demanded the United States extradite Fethullah Gulen, a cleric living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania whom it accuses of being behind the violent July 15 coup attempt that left 290 people dead. Gulen has denied any prior knowledge of the plot. The United States has asked Turkey for evidence of his involvement, and said the U.S. extradition process must take its course.
“Instead of thanking this nation that quashed the coup in the name of democracy, on the contrary, you are taking sides with the coup plotters,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an angry speech Friday in Ankara.
The president also lashed out at an American military official who expressed concern that the failed coup may have longer-term effects on the U.S.-led fight against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq.
“It’s not up to you to make that decision. Who are you? Know your place,” Erdogan said.
He hinted the United States could be behind the failed plot.
“My people know who is behind this scheme … they know who the superior intelligence behind it is, and with these statements you are revealing yourselves, you are giving yourselves away,” he said.