Army says Turkish people played key role in quashing coup attempt

ANKARA

AFP photo



“The biggest role in preventing this treacherous act belongs to our honorable people. These plotters belonging to the illegal structure have been stopped and will be given the heaviest penalty,” Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar said in a written statement on July 17.



The military said a majority of the army and the police department firmly stood against the coup plotters, which meant the attempt could be neutralized before accomplishing its aim.



It also noted that many members of the public took to the streets to protect “the real members of the Turkish Armed Forces” and to foil the coup, which it said would have dealt a serious blow to Turkey’s democracy.



In its first statement following the coup attempt on July 17, the Turkish Armed Forces praised the role of the Turkish people in stopping the plotters, underlining that it will continue to be “at the service of the state and the people.”