Anti-terrorism purge continues in Turkey

By Nathan Morley

Over the last two-years, thousands of soldiers and officers have been purged from the military.

Now, under the latest decree, published on Sunday, 18,632 people, including 6,000 members of the military, 9,000 police officers, and hundreds of teachers and academics have been dismissed from their jobs.

Their passports will also be cancelled.

In the aftermath of the failed 2016 coup, more than 55,000 people have been detained pending trial.

President Erdogan claims that Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen is the inspiration behind the coup and is calling for his extradition from the United States. He has long accused the elderly cleric of attempting to overthrow the government in Ankara.

Back in May, a court in Turkey passed life sentences on 104 suspects over their involvement in the attempted coup.

Judges in Izmir sentenced the mostly army personnel for attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.