In a crackdown, Turkish police detained more than 40 high-ranking military commanders Monday for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Islamic-rooted government.

“Our security forces started the arrests and detained over 40 people”, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during his official visit to Madrid on Monday.

Fourteen senior Turkish military figures have been arrested over an alleged coup plot dating back to 2003, Turkish media reported.

The men arrested include the former air force chief Ibrahim Firtina, former navy chief Ozden Ornek, and several other generals and colonels, both serving and retired, Turkish media outlets reported.

The arrested, are suspected for destabilization of the political situation in the country in order to enable the army to take over the government.