The Dramatic Split Between Erdogan and Gulen
It was a spectacular and profound falling out. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ascended to power with significant backing from a preacher and fellow Islamist, Fethullah Gulen, who sadly passed away this week. Gulen’s extensive following, consisting of millions of educated and motivated Turks, played a crucial role in filling key positions within the government, as well as in the media, police, and judicial systems. This alliance helped Erdogan govern effectively and consolidate his power.
During the early years of Erdogan’s leadership as prime minister, Gulen’s followers emerged as the most prominent advocates for the government, both domestically and internationally. However, by the decade’s end, tensions began to surface as Erdogan grew increasingly resentful of Gulen’s influence and notable policy differences began to emerge.
The first significant rift occurred in 2013 when Gulenist prosecutors initiated corruption investigations targeting members of Erdogan’s government, including some of his own family members. In response, Erdogan accused Gulen of orchestrating a “judicial coup” and took decisive measures to shut down various Gulen-affiliated media outlets, as well as lucrative educational institutions that prepared students for university entrance examinations.
As their rivalry escalated, it turned deadly when a faction aligned with Gulen attempted a military coup on July 16, 2016. Erdogan confronted this insurrection head-on, rallying his supporters to the streets and securing the loyalty of military and intelligence leaders who swiftly moved to apprehend the coup plotters.
Images of clothes and weapons belonging to soldiers involved in the coup attempt on the iconic Bosporus Bridge in Istanbul serve as a stark reminder of that tumultuous day, marking a turning point in Turkey’s political landscape.