Military says 8,651 soldiers participated in Turkey’s coup attempt

Military says 8,651 soldiers participated in Turkey’s coup attempt

ANKARA

AFP photo

The Turkish General Staff announced on July 27 that a total of 8,651 soldiers took part in the failed coup attempt of July 15, making up 1.5 percent of the military’s total personnel.

Describing the coup attempt as an attempt by terrorists of the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) in military uniforms, the General Staff said in a statement that 1,676 of the soldiers were rank and files while 1,214 were military students.

It also added that 35 planes, including 24 fighter jets, 37 helicopters, 74 tanks, 246 armored vehicles and three ships were used in the coup attempt, while 3,992 light weapons were used by soldiers who participated in the coup attempt, according to the statement.

The military also noted it had the strength and determination to eliminate all kinds of threats against the nation.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Efkan Ala said that a total of 15,846 people, including 10,012 soldiers, had been detained as a part of the investigation into the coup attempt.

A total of 8,133 of the detained had been arrested, Ala added.