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Turkey coup: Obama convenes security meet; US forces placed on highest alert

Last updated on: July 17, 2016 03:15 IST

US President Barack Obama on Saturday convened a situation room meeting with his top national security advisors to discuss the aftermath of the failed coup in Turkey, the White House said on Saturday.

IMAGE: A man wrapped in a Turkish flag walks past a military vehicle in front of Sabiha Airport, in Istanbul, Turkey. Photograph: Baz Ratner/Reuters

"The President will convene a meeting with his national security and broader foreign policy team to update him on the situation in Turkey," the White House said in a brief update of Obama's daily schedule.

The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has survived the coup but the situation remains tense as the violence has killed over 250 people.

During the coup, Obama offered support for Turkey's "democratically elected government" and urged all sides to "avoid any violence or bloodshed."

But there were rising concerns of a government crackdown on Erdogan's opponents.

Even before the violent coup attempt, Obama had expressed concern over Erdogan's handling of the media and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the US military command in Europe has ordered American forces across Turkey to take maximum protective measures following the attempted military coup there, a US military source said on Saturday.

The US military has around 2,200 service members and civilian employees in Turkey, which is a NATO member and a crucial regional partner for Washington.

About 1,500 of them are stationed at Incirlik, the military base in southern Turkey from which American warplanes have launched bombing missions against the Islamic State group.

US forces in Turkey were now at the "Delta" force protection level, such as is invoked when a terrorist attack is taking place or appears imminent, the American defense official said.

"We are firmly committed to making every possible effort to ensure the safety and security of our service members, civilians, their families and our facilities," the official said.

At the Delta level, all non-essential activities are suspended and all resources placed in defensive positions in case of attack.

An American military official had confirmed late Friday that operations against the Islamic State group were continuing from Incirlik despite the attempted coup.

The Turkish government on Saturday closed its airspace for use of military aircrafts after the failed military takeover bid, affecting America's anti-ISIS operations in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon said.

"The Turkish government has closed its airspace to military aircraft and as a result air operations at Incirlik Air Base have been halted at this time," the Pentagon Press Secretary Peter cook said.

"US officials are working with the Turks to resume air operations there as soon as possible," he said.

The US is using the Incirlik air base in Turkey to fly missions against the extremists in Syria and Iraq.

In the meantime, the US Central Command is adjusting flight operations in the counter-ISIS campaign to minimise any effects on the campaign, Cook said.

US facilities at Incirlik are operating on internal power sources and a loss of commercial power to the base has not affected base operations, he noted.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is continuing with its efforts to fully account for all Department of Defense personnel in Turkey.

"All indications at this time are that everyone is safe and secure. We will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our service members, our civilians, their families and our facilities," Cook said. 

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