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Turkey army group announces takeover on TV Turkey army group announces takeover on TV
(35 minutes later)
An army group in Turkey says it has taken control of the country, with bridges closed in Istanbul and aircraft flying low over Ankara. An army group in Turkey says it has taken over the country, with soldiers at strategic points in Istanbul and jets flying low in the capital, Ankara.
PM Binali Yildirim earlier denounced an "illegal action" by a military "group", stressing it was not a coup. He said that the government remained in charge. A statement read on TV said a "peace council" now ran the country and there was a curfew and martial law.
It is unclear who the army group is. There are reports some senior army officials have been detained.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would overcome what he called an uprising by a minority.
He told CNN Turk by mobile phone the action was by a "parallel structure" that would bring the necessary response. He has used this term in the past to refer to Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Muslim cleric he accuses of fomenting unrest.
Mr Erdogan called on people to take to the streets to oppose the uprising.
He said: "I urge the Turkish people to convene at public squares and airports. I never believed in a power higher than the power of the people."
Mr Erdogan said he was on his way to Ankara and those involved in the action would pay a heavy price.
PM Binali Yildirim had earlier denounced an "illegal action" by a military "group", stressing it was not a coup. He said that the government remained in charge.
The military group's statement on national broadcaster TRT, read by an announcer, said that democratic and secular rule of law had been eroded by the current government. There would be new constitution, it said.
A Turkish presidential source told Reuters news agency that the statement was not authorised by the army's command.
There are reports Turkey's top general, General Hulusi Akar, is among those taken hostage at the military HQ.
Mr Yildirim told NTV by telephone: "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."
Traffic has been stopped from crossing both the Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges in Istanbul.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. There are reports of gunshots and at least one loud explosion in the capital Ankara. Other reports said soldiers were inside buildings of the Turkish state broadcaster in Ankara.
Other reports said soldiers were inside buildings of the Turkish state broadcaster in Ankara.
Gunfire was also heard outside Istanbul police HQ and tanks are said to be stationed outside Istanbul airport. All flights are cancelled, reports say.Gunfire was also heard outside Istanbul police HQ and tanks are said to be stationed outside Istanbul airport. All flights are cancelled, reports say.
CNN Turk reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was "safe" but did not elaborate. One European Union source told Reuters that the military action "looks like a relatively well-orchestrated coup by a substantial body of the military, not just a few colonels".
A statement from the military group read out on NTV television said: "The power in the country has been seized in its entirety." Who represents the group remains uncertain.
A Turkish presidential source told Reuters that the statement was not authorised by the military command.
Mr Yildirim told NTV by telephone: "We are working on the possibility of an attempt. We will not allow this attempt.
"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".
He 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."
There are reports Turkey's top general has been taken hostage at the military HQ.
Visiting Moscow, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he hoped for peace and "continuity" in Turkey.Visiting Moscow, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he hoped for peace and "continuity" in Turkey.