While it is common knowledge by now that the failed and/or staged
Turkish coup two weekends ago was nothing more than an excuse for
Erdogan to concentrate even more power and eradicate all political and
independent opposition, a story that has gotten less attention is the
sudden, and acute deterioration in US-Turkish relations.
This culminated
two days ago when the Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) General
Joseph Votel was forced to deny on the record having anything to do
with the attempted coup in Turkey following pointed allegations from the
very top in the local government that the US orchestrated last Friday's
"coup", according to a statement released by the US military on Friday.
As
Stars and Stripes reported
late last week, the recent failed coup and jailing of military leaders
in Turkey could impact U.S. operations there against the Islamic State
group, Gen. Joseph Votel said Thursday at a security conference in
Colorado. Votel said the coup attempt in Turkey two weeks ago left him
“concerned” about how U.S. operations and personnel at Incirlik Air Base
will be affected.
"Turkey of course …sits on an extraordinarily important seam between
the central region and Europe,” Votel said at the Aspen Security Forum.
“It will have an impact on the operations we do along that very
important seam. Obviously, we are very dependent on Turkey for basing of
our resources…I am concerned it will impact the level of cooperation
and collaboration that we have with Turkey.”
Yeni Safak, a daily paper known
for its loyal support of Erdogan, even reported retired Army Gen. John
F. Campbell, former commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, was the
mastermind behind the attempted overthrow. However, the paper also
reported White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest called the allegations
against the general unsubstantiated.
Votel said Thursday that the United States was “continuing to work
through some of the friction that continues to exist” following the
failed coup. He did not elaborate.
The general did say some of the arrested Turkish officers worked with
U.S. personnel to coordinate airstrikes against the Islamic State
group. “Yes, I think some of them are in jail,” Votel said of certain
key Turkish military liaisons.
As a result of the coup attempt, U.S. air operations were temporarily
suspended and the Turkish government cut power to Incirlik.
The diplomatic spat continued on Friday when comments made at an
Erdogan’s rally once again blasted Votel for criticizing Turkey’s
post-coup attempt purge saying "Who are you? Know your place." Erdogan
went on to hint once more that the United States planned the failed
government overthrow bid.
To this Votel again responded that "any reporting that I had anything
to do with the recent unsuccessful coup attempt in Turkey is
unfortunate and completely inaccurate," Votel said. He was responding to
an interpretation of comments made at a think tank in Washington, DC by
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accusing Votel of sympathizing
with the coup plotters.
Read more: Turkey Surrounds, Blocks Access To NATO's Incirlik Airbase Amid Speculation Of Second Coup | Zero Hedge
