Turkish seeks control over army, spy agency: Turkish official

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants the country’s armed forces and spy agency to be brought under the presidency’s control in the wake of the failed coup of July 15. 

An unnamed Turkish official said on Thursday that Erdogan wanted to bring the armed forces and National Intelligence Organization, known by its Turkish acronym MIT, under his control, Reuters reported.  

The remarks came after Erdogan was cited as saying by television news channels that the move would require a constitutional change and support by major opposition parties. 

The developments come as a meeting of Turkey's Supreme Military Council (YAS), the highest body responsible for appointments in the armed forces, was expected to agree on a sweeping overhaul of the armed forces. 

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was set to attend this year’s YAS meeting in Ankara, which will also see the participation of land, sea and air force commanders, along with other top figures untarnished by the attempted power grab.

The council will decide on the personnel changes deemed necessary after the coup. 

Turkish authorities were expected to announce details of the changes later on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Yildirim warned that the government crackdown in connection with the coup attempt is "not completed yet" and there could be more arrests.

Reports say more than 60,000 people have been sacked, suspended or detained as part of the government’s massive clampdown on those branded as coup plotters or sympathizers.

About 250 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured on the night of July 15, when a faction within the army, using fighter jets, helicopters and tanks, tried to seize airports and bridges, and attacked buildings, including parliament and the intelligence headquarters, in an attempt to seize power.

Shortly after the coup bid was declared over on July 16, Erdogan accused Fethullah Gulen, a US-based opposition cleric, of being behind the botched military coup. He has denied the allegation.

The Turkish government has vowed to severely punish coup plotters, sparking concerns about human rights breaches.

Amnesty International has said it has “credible evidence” that around 10,000 Turkish soldiers face severe punishments for their part of the failed military coup against Erdogan.

The European Union has warned that Turkey would be barred from joining the EU if it reintroduces the death penalty to punish alleged coup plotters

Turkey has urged the EU to stay away from its internal affairs as the bloc continues to criticize Ankara over the post-coup crackdown.

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