Turkey has removed 21,194 people from the armed forces since a failed military coup in July 2016, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Friday.
The government’s battle against remaining elements of the Fethullah Gülen movement, which it blames for the putsch, will continue, Akar told reporters in Ankara on Friday, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.
Akar also spoke about Turkey’s purchase of S-400 air defence missiles from Russia, saying the weapons would only be used in response to threats and dangers.
He said U.S. steps in response to the acquisition, including a decision to expel it from a programme to build and purchase the F-35 stealth fighter jet, were unbefitting of an ally.
Ahval