The 2016 coup attempt in Turkey: a result of changing civil-military balance in Turkey

Hranush Dermoyan

vol. VII(1,2)

Pages 41-60

Abstract

In 2016 Turkey made headlines with yet another coup, however, this time

with an unsuccessful outcome. While there were many similarities with previous

coups, there were also major diff erences. After the failed coup, people

showed unprecedented support for the civilian government. Military commanders

of diff erent units made statements assuring their loyalty to the civilian government.

Although purges, martial law and arrest followed the coup attempt,

which was nothing new after a military intervention, this time roles had been

reversed. It was the civilian government which purged the military and removed

unwanted people. The paper argues that the 2016 military coup attempt

failed as the military’s political power had been weakened following reforms

implemented under the demand of the EU in the 2000s. There was also obvious

fragmentation in the military as only one faction participated in the plot.

Keywords: civil-military relations, coup attempt, fragmentation

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