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LIVE BLOG: Coup attempt in Turkey

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LIVE BLOG: Coup attempt in Turkey
Middle East Eye brings you the latest news of the attempted military coup in Turkey

In summary:

  • Government says attempted coup by group within military has failed
  • Turkish parliament holds extraordinary session on Saturday morning
  • 2,839 rebel soldiers arrested across Turkey, official says
  • At least 265 people killed, including rebel soldiers and civilians
  • Turkish Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar rescued in operation at Akinci air base
  • Soldiers opened fire on protesters on Istanbul's Bosphorus bridges, but later surrendered
  • Officials say coup was instigated by a group within military, rather than the military itself
  • President Erdogan ordered supporters on streets in TV address made via iPhone
  • Erdogan says coup attempt is 'treason', and tells supporters to remain on streets
  • US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen denies any role in Turkish coup plot.

Live Updates

8 years ago

Turkey's state television TRT broadcast a statement on Friday from the Turkish Armed Forces who declared martial law and a curfew throughout the country.

"A curfew has been imposed until a second order," TRT said from the statement signed by the "Council for Peace in the Homeland."

8 years ago

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday he was still catching up with fast-moving events in Turkey, where troops are on the street amid reports of a coup attempt.

But he said that however events play out, he hoped that Turkey would be able to resolve the crisis while preserving peace, stability and a respect for "continuity".

8 years ago

The Turkish military on Friday said that it had assumed power over Turkey, in what the prime minister has termed an illegal act.

"The power in the country has been seized in its entirety," said a military statement read on NTV television, without giving further details. The military's website was not immediately accessible.

8 years ago

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Friday denounced what he said was an "illegal attempt" by elements in the military after bridges were partially shut down in Istanbul and jets flew low over Ankara.

"We are working on the possibility of an attempt. We will not allow this attempt," he told NTV television by telephone, without expanding on the nature of the move but saying it was by a group in the Turkish military.

"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".

 
8 years ago

AFP is reporting that Turkey's top general is being held hostage in Ankara.