Purge 'not complete': PM

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim warned the crackdown following a failed coup attempt was "not completed yet" and there could be more arrests, he told Sky News yesterday.

"The investigation is continuing, there are people who are being searched for. There could be new apprehensions, arrests and detentions," Yildirim said, according to the network's translation of his remarks.

Turkey yesterday issued arrest warrants for 47 former staff of the Zaman newspaper as part of a sweeping crackdown since the attempted power grab on July 15.

In the attempted coup of July 15, renegade soldiers sought to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but were stopped by crowds of civilians and loyalist security forces. At least 270 people were killed on both sides.

The failed power grab sent shockwaves through Turkish life, and more than 15,000 people have since been detained. More than 9,000 of them have been placed in custody ahead of trial over the coup.

The swoop on newspaper staff came after authorities on Monday issued another 42 arrest warrants for journalists, including prominent veteran reporters.

London-based rights group Amnesty International said that they represented a "draconian clampdown on freedom of expression".

Meanwhile, a key minister yesterday said Turkish authorities were planning a major shake-up of the military to remove elements linked to US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen just ahead of the failed coup.

Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, who is the son-in-law of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, suggested parts of the military had wanted to act against the government as they knew they were about to be purged.

A major shake-up of the Turkish armed forces is expected to be announced today when the country's Supreme Military Council meets.

With 143 generals and more than 3,000 soldiers arrested on suspicion of links to the coup, there are gaping holes in the command structure which will have to be filled.

The Turkish military yesterday said that 8,651 soldiers took part in a failed attempt to overthrow the government earlier this month, accounting for about 1.5 percent of the army.