Turkish army tanks roll past a portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, during a military parade on the 86th anniversary of Victory Day in Ankara, August 30, 2008. Tensions between Turkey’s government and its powerful generals will continue clouding the future of the European Union-applicant country, after the new military commander warned against the rising profile of Islam. REUTERS/Fatih Saribas (TURKEY)
The Turkish military took the unusual step on 31 March of disavowing any possibility of it staging a coup. With Turkish politics currently in turmoil, Lale Sariibrahimoglu analyses just how realistic a prospect of an intervention by the Turkish armed forces is
ANALYSIS
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is known for its historical interventions into the country’s politics. Having cast itself as the guardian of secular principles in this predominantly Muslim nation, the TSK staged several coups between the 1960s and the 1990s.
Clearly then, the possibility of another intervention is not too remote. Ümit Kardas, a retired Turkish military judge and a professor in criminal law, told IHS Jane’s that as long as the TSK remains outside of full civilian control the possibility of a coup always exists.
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