Turkish Military Says It Has Seized Control From Ankara Government
Turkish prime minister says attempted military coup underway; military jets and helicopters seen flying low over Ankara and tanks reported in the streets; two major bridges in Istanbul are closed to traffic.
Haaretz and News Agencies Jul 15, 2016 11:16 Pm
Turkish security officers detain police officers on the side of the road on July 15, 2016 in Istanbul, during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge. Bulent Kilic, AFP
- Istanbul terror attack was aimed at Turkey, but delivered a message to the world
- Turkey must get its priorities straight and focus on ISIS
- Turkey tightens jihadist highway near Syria border, pressuring ISIS
A group within Turkey’s military has attempted to overthrow the government and security forces have been called in to “do what is necessary,” Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Friday.
The Turkish military released a statement that it had taken over in the name of democratic order, adding that all existing foreign relations will continue and human rights will remain.
The Turkish chief of military staff is among several who have been taken hostage in Ankara, the state-run Anadolu agency reported.
“Some people illegally undertook an illegal action outside of the chain of command,” Yildirim, the prime minister, said in comments broadcast by private channel NTV. “The government elected by the people remains in charge. This government will only go when the people say so.
Bosphorus bridge, which links the city’s European and Asian sides, is pictured in Istanbul, Turkey, July 15, 2016.
Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim addresses the media in Ankara, Turkey, June 27, 2016.
Police officers stand guard near the Turkish military headquarters in Ankara, Turkey, July 15, 2016.
A group within Turkey’s military has attempted to overthrow the government and security forces have been called in to “do what is necessary”, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Friday.
“Some people illegally undertook an illegal action outside of the chain of command,” Yildirim said in comments broadcast by private channel NTV.
“The government elected by the people remains in charge. This government will only go when the people say so.”
Those behind the attempted coup would pay the highest price, he added.
RELATED COVERAGE
Footage on local television channels showed military vehicles blocking bridges over the Bosphorus in Istanbul and tanks deployed at the city’s main airport. In the capital Ankara, warplanes and helicopters roared overhead. A Reuters journalist heard gunshots.
A Turkish official who did not want to be named said soldiers had been deployed in other cities in Turkey, but did not specify which ones.
Dogan News Agency reported the national police directorate had summoned all police to duty in Ankara.
(Reporting by Ayla Jean Yackley, Nick Tattersall, David Dolan, Akin Aytekin and Orhan Coskun; Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Catherine Evans)
