Turkish prosecutors are investigating people who have alleged on social media that a July 15 coup attempt was a hoax carried out by the government, the country’s justice minister said, reflecting what some critics say are increasing restrictions on expression in the wake of the failed rebellion by some military forces.

Turkey is planning to hire more than 20,000 teachers to replace those who have been fired in a purge of suspected coup plotters in schools and other institutions.

Turkey will let US and coalition forces use its bases for attacks against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria and Iraq, American defence sources have said.

Islamic State fighters backed by tanks and artillery have pushed into an embattled Syrian town on the border with Turkey, sparking heavy street battles with the town’s Kurdish defenders.

Turkey has warned it will retaliate if Syrian aircraft enter its airspace amid a third day of air strikes by Syrian forces against rebels along the border with Turkey.