Hillary Clinton expressed support for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his government Friday evening amid the military’s attempt to seize control of Turkey while Erdogan was vacationing outside the country.
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“I am following the fast-moving developments in Turkey tonight with great concern,” Clinton said in a statement. “We should all urge calm and respect for laws, institutions, and basic human rights and freedoms — and support for the democratically elected civilian government.”
The former secretary of state’s comments echoed the tone struck by the White House Friday as President Obama urged Turkish citizens to continue backing Erdogan’s government. Both Obama and Clinton cautioned against “violence and bloodshed” in the demonstrations that swept the streets of Istanbul and Ankara early Saturday morning.
Erdogan returned to the country and reasserted control of his government after more than 160 people were killed in the chaos created by the attempted coup. Members of the military who carried out the failed takeover are reportedly in government custody.
Erdogan, who was elected to lead the NATO ally in 2014, has become a polarizing figure given his Islamic ideology and fierce criticism of Israel.
