Turkish gov’t withdraws military bases outside of major cities

By Azernews

By Gunay Hasanova

Turkey’s National Defense Minister Fikri Isik announced that the withdrawal of military bases outside of Istanbul and Ankara will begin on August 22, Hurriyet reported.

He said currently the process is underway for the withdrawal of military bases outside major cities of Turkey.

The minister said that the process is expected to be completed by September15.

Isik previously said that a democracy park will be created in the place of Turkey’s Akinci military base, which was a headquarters of putsches during the July 15 military coup attempt in the country.

Turkish Premier Binali Yildirim earlier vowed to close down all military barracks from where tanks rolled out and helicopters took off in Istanbul and Ankara during the failed military coup attempt, adding that “Akinci” base will be closed.

The July 15 coup attempt occurred when rogue elements in the Turkish military tried to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly plot, which martyred at least 246 people and injured more than 2,000 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

Gulen is also accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration into Turkish state and government establishments, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the "parallel state".

The General Staff of Turkish Armed Forces has said that 8,651 servicemen of the armed forces participated in the military coup attempt in the country. The rebels used 35 planes, 37 helicopters, 246 tanks and three vessels during the military coup attempt in Turkey.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.