A Turkish military officer on a U.S.-based assignment for NATO is seeking asylum in the United States after being recalled by the Turkish government in the wake of last month's failed military coup, U.S. officials told Reuters.
The asylum bid is the first known case involving a Turkish military officer in the United States as Turkey purges military ranks after mutinous soldiers commandeered fighter jets, helicopters and tanks in an unsuccessful attempt to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The case has the potential to further strain ties between the United States and Turkey, which is already demanding that Washington hand over a U.S.-based Turkish cleric whom it alleges was responsible for the failed coup.