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Thousands protest outside U.S. base in Turkey | THV11.com
Thousands protest outside U.S. base in Turkey
Andrew Tilghman, Military Times , KTHV 5:38 PM. EDT July 28, 2016
INCIRLIK, Turkey - Thousands of Turkish protesters filled the streets outside the U.S. military base at Incirlik, Turkey, on Thursday, burning American flags and demanding that the government close the base.
The U.S. military maintains an arsenal of nuclear weapons at Incirlik and it is an operational hub for the air campaign against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
The electrical power for the base was cut during the coup attempt and for several days the troops relied on a backup generator. The power was restored this week.
Pentagon spokeswoman Henrietta Levin said that military officials at Incirlik were aware of the planned demonstration outside the base.
"It did not impact operations at Incirlik," Levin told Military Times on Thursday.
Also on Thursday, Gen. Joseph Votel, the U.S. military commander for the Middle East, told the Aspen Security Forum that he's worried the failed coup could affect U.S. relations with the Turkish military, noting that some of its leaders have been jailed.
Votel said military operations out of the air base at Incirlik are back to normal.
Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan imposed a three-month state of emergency in the country. More than 13,000 people in the military, judiciary and other institutions have been detained since the July 15 coup attempt.
Military dependents were evacuated from Incirlik earlier this year due to mounting security concerns.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Thousands protest outside U.S. base in Turkey
Andrew Tilghman, Military Times , KTHV 5:38 PM. EDT July 28, 2016
INCIRLIK, Turkey - Thousands of Turkish protesters filled the streets outside the U.S. military base at Incirlik, Turkey, on Thursday, burning American flags and demanding that the government close the base.
The U.S. military maintains an arsenal of nuclear weapons at Incirlik and it is an operational hub for the air campaign against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
#1 Incirlik Turkey protesting against supposed US link to coup attempt [More on Channel] http://nato.trendolizer.com/2 16/ 7/1-incirlik-turkey-protesting-against-supposed-us-link-to-coup-attempt-more-on-channel.html pic.twitter.com/ufFo27EGyW
— Trending NATO News (@NATOlizer) July 28, 2016
— Trending NATO News (@NATOlizer) July 28, 2016
Big crowd,large convoy heading to #US #Incirlik Base in #Adana .Security forces blocked the road #Turkey
pic.twitter.com/vdYKCjz2y6
— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) July 28, 2016
The base at Incirlik, home to nearly 3,000 U.S. troops, was placed on high alert — Force Protection Condition Delta — last week after a faction of Turkish military officers tried to overthrow the government.pic.twitter.com/vdYKCjz2y6
— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) July 28, 2016
The electrical power for the base was cut during the coup attempt and for several days the troops relied on a backup generator. The power was restored this week.
Pentagon spokeswoman Henrietta Levin said that military officials at Incirlik were aware of the planned demonstration outside the base.
"It did not impact operations at Incirlik," Levin told Military Times on Thursday.
Also on Thursday, Gen. Joseph Votel, the U.S. military commander for the Middle East, told the Aspen Security Forum that he's worried the failed coup could affect U.S. relations with the Turkish military, noting that some of its leaders have been jailed.
Votel said military operations out of the air base at Incirlik are back to normal.
Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan imposed a three-month state of emergency in the country. More than 13,000 people in the military, judiciary and other institutions have been detained since the July 15 coup attempt.
Military dependents were evacuated from Incirlik earlier this year due to mounting security concerns.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.