UAE hands over two generals to Turkey following coup attempt

The United Arab Emirates has reportedly detained two Turkish generals serving in Afghanistan and handed them over to Turkey.

The hand over took place over suspicions that they took part in the failed coup attempt.

The commander of Turkey’s task force in Afghanistan, Major General Mehmet Cahit Bakir, and Kabul Training, Support and Advising Commander Brigadier General Sener Topuc were detained in Dubai International Airport as they traveled from Afghanistan.

On the 15th of July 2016, a coup d’état was attempted in Turkey against the government but ultimately failed. The attempt was performed by a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces that was organised under a council called the ‘Peace at Home Council’. The council attempted to seize control of several key places in Ankara, Istanbul, and elsewhere, but failed to do so after forces loyal to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the cabinet defeated them.

Reactions to the event were largely against the coup, both domestically and internationally. The main opposition parties in Turkey condemned the attempt, while several international leaders—such as those from the United States, NATO, and the European Union—called for “respect of the democratic institutions in Turkey and its elected officials.”

International organisations expressed themselves against the coup as well. The United Nations Security Council, however, did not denounce the coup after Egypt, a non-permanent member of the Council, objected to language used in the proposed draft.