The Pentagon has strongly rejected allegations by Turkey's president that the U.S. military was somehow involved in or in any way supported the recent failed coup in that country.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at the United States on July 29 and criticized a senior military commander who had expressed concerns that the coup could have longer-term impact on U.S. relations with the Turkish military.
Erdogan said Washington was taking sides with coup plotters.
Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said any suggestion that the United States supported the coup is absurd.
He said Defense Secretary Ash Carter received assurances from his Turkish counterpart that the fight against Islamic State militants won't be affected.
The United States launches airstrikes, surveillance aircraft and other missions out of the Incirlik air base.
