Iran Press/Asia: Just days before the 3rd anniversary of the coup attempt, the first batch of the Russian S-400 defense system was delivered to Turkey despite repeated US calls for them to cancel the deal or face punishment.
"We have begun to receive our S-400s. Some said, ‘they cannot buy them’... God willing the final part of this delivery will be in April 2020," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a crowd of several thousand of his supporters on Monday in Ankara.
In 2016, nearly 250 people were killed — excluding the coup-plotters — and more than 2,000 injured after a rogue military faction tried to wrest power from the president. Thousands took to the streets in response to Erdogan’s call to defeat the uprising.
Relations with the West deteriorated after the coup bid, as Turkish officials accused the West of not giving Ankara sufficient support.
Over the same period, Erdogan has grown ever closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising concerns in Europe and the United States.
Erdogan said Turkey’s “next target was a joint production with Russia” of the next missile defense system.
“We are taking every measure to make sure our people do not suffer the betrayal of 15 July again or something similar,“ Erdogan added.
Some 8,000 military personnel took part in the bid to overthrow Erdogan, backed by 35 fighter jets, three boats, 37 helicopters, and 74 tanks, according to state news agency Anadolu.
Since 2016, tens of thousands of people have been detained while 150,000 public sector employees have been suspended or sacked over alleged links to former ally and the new foe, Fethullah Gülen.
104/205
Read More:
Turkey's Erdogan confirms buying Russia's S400 missiles
Iran, Turkey can resolve regional problems: Rouhani tells Erdo?an
Turkish opposition asks for Erdogan mandate revoked
