Turkey fires 1,700 military officers, closes dozens of media groups

A man holds a Turkish flag during an anti coup rally at Taksim square in Istanbul, Tuesday, July 26, 2016. Turkey's polarized factions should learn from their mistakes and overcome their antagonism, the main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said during an interview with The Associated Press.
A man holds a Turkish flag during an anti coup rally at Taksim square in Istanbul, Tuesday, July 26, 2016. Turkey's polarized factions should learn from their mistakes and overcome their antagonism, the main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said during an interview with The Associated Press.

ISTANBUL - Turkey's state run news agency says close to 1,700 officers have been formally discharged from the military following the country's failed coup.

Anadolu Agency also says the government has decided to close down dozens of media organizations, including 45 newspapers and 16 television stations.

The government says a U.S.-based Muslim cleric is behind the failed uprising by a faction within the military that led to some 290 deaths on July 15. Thousands have been detained for suspected links to the coup. Tens of thousands have also been purged from state institutions.

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