Turkey : Attempted Military Coup 2016

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Turkey soldiers launch 'illegal action' - PM Yildirim
15 minutes ago


Mr Yildirim said those responsible would pay the "highest price"
Image copyright AFP

Turkey's PM has denounced an "illegal action" by a military "group", with bridges closed in Istanbul and aircraft flying low over the capital, Ankara.

Binali Yildirim said the military action was not authorised but it was not a coup. He said that the government remained in charge.

Traffic has been stopped from crossing both the Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges in Istanbul.

There are reports of gunshots in the capital Ankara.

Tanks are also said to be stationed outside Istanbul airport.

Mr Yildirim told NTV television by telephone: "We are working on the possibility of an attempt. We will not allow this attempt." He did not elaborate.

"Those who are in this illegal act will pay the highest price," he added, saying it would not be correct to describe the move as a "coup".

bbc.com

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Turkey Army 'seize control of country'
15/07/2016


Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo by Gokhan Tan/Getty Images

Turkey's military has claimed it has taken control of the country.

A statement from the military group read out on NTV television said: "The power in the country has been seized in its entirety."

It is not clear who is behind the action.

Broadcaster CNN Turk reported President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was "safe" but did not elaborate.

He has not been heard from, although the country's prime minister has addressed the nation.

He said Turkey's military engaged in an attempted coup.

Binali Yildirim told NTV television: "It is correct that there was an attempt."

Mr Yildirim did not provide details, but said Turkey would never allow any "initiative that would interrupt democracy".

Earlier, military jets were heard flying over the capital, Ankara.

Media reports said ambulances were seen in front of Turkey's military headquarters.

"We are focusing on the possibility of an attempted (coup)," Mr Yildirim said.

"There was an illegal act by a group within the military that was acting out of the chain of military command. Our people should know that we will not allow any activity that would harm democracy."

The Dogan news agency says one-way traffic on the Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges - the main links between the European and Asian sides of the city were blocked. Video footage showed the bridge being blocked by military vehicles.

"Those behind the attempted coup would pay the highest price," added the prime minister.

In the capital Ankara, warplanes and helicopters roared overhead. A Reuters journalist heard gunshots.

Dogan News Agency reported the national police directorate had summoned all police to duty in Ankara.

All flights from Istanbul's Ataturk airport have been cancelled after tonight's events, according to a Reuters witness citing a pilot at the airport.

Washington-Saudi Foreign Minister says he can't speculate about the events taking place.

More to follow...

belfasttelegraph.co.uk

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[fred]

This illegal military action isn't a coup at all, just like a Ford Escort isn't a car or my farts aren't smelly.

This 'not a coup' is a real bugger for ISIS as Turkey buys most of their oil and this is likely to mess things up.

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Turkish Military Claims It Has Control of Government
Dion Nissenbaum
Ben Eisen contributed to this article.
July 15, 2016

ISTANBUL

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Turkey's Erdogan appears in Istanbul after coup bid
3 minutes ago

Government says coup attempt foiled as explosions continue to be heard in central Istanbul and Ankara.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared early on Saturday among a crowd of supporters at Istanbul's main airport, footage broadcast on local media showed, hours after an attempt by an army faction to topple the government.

Erdogan's arrival in Istanbul came after Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told broadcaster NTV on Saturday that the situation in Turkey was "largely under control".

In comments broadcast by Turkish media, Erdogan said those involved in the coup would receive the necessary response, no mater what institution they were from.

Earlier, thousands of people had heeded a call from the president to take to the streets and protest against the attempted coup.

'Foiled coup'

Late on Friday, sections of the army had officially declared a coup and martial law, saying they had "taken control of the country" as Istanbul's main airport was closed and fighter jets were seen in the skies.

Turkey's intelligence agency MIT was targeted by hijacked helicopters but the coup attempt was "foiled", its spokesman told NTV television.

Yildirim also told NTV that a no-fly zone had been declared over the capital, Ankara.

The broadcaster also reported that nearly 50 soldiers had been arrested.

However, even as the announcement by Yildirim came, at least two loud explosions were heard in central Istanbul, apparently emanating from neighbourhoods close to Taksim Square.

There were also reports of an explosion at the parliament building in the capital, Ankara.

aljazeera.com