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Turkey coup attempt: Erdoğan calls military uprising 'treason' – live updates Turkey coup attempt: Erdoğan calls military uprising 'treason' – live updates
(35 minutes later)
5.44am BST
05:44
Gülen 'categorically denies' links to coup
Fethullah Gülen, the US-based cleric accused by Erdoğan of directing the coup from his home in Pennsylvania, has rejected the claim. In a statement, Gülen said:
I condemn, in the strongest terms, the attempted military coup in Turkey. Government should be won through a process of free and fair elections, not force.
As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt.
I categorically deny such accusations.
Read more about Gülen and his rivalry with Erdoğan here:
Related: Fethullah Gülen: who is the man blamed by Turkey's president for coup attempt?
5.34am BST
05:34
In the face of government assertions that the coup has failed, the pro-coup faction of the armed forces insists it is still fighting, Reuters reports:
An email from the Turkish military general staff’s press office address said on Saturday the faction of officers behind an attempted military coup overnight was still determinedly fighting all those who try to oppose it.
Calling itself the Peace at Home Movement, the faction also called on people to stay indoors for their own safety.
5.23am BST
05:23
Patrick Kingsley
The Guardian’s Patrick Kingsley is in Istanbul and sends this latest:
Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, appeared to have weathered the worst of an attempted coup after a night of chaos and bloodshed that saw an army faction try to oust a civilian government in Turkey for the fifth time in 60 years.
As the sun rose over Turkey on Saturday, confrontations were continuing in some parts of the country. But Erdoğan had been able to re-emerge from a retreat on the coast of the Aegean Sea and fly to Istanbul, where he was greeted by crowds of his supporters who overran the airport, having defied troops who had tried to seal it off.
“Turkey has a democratically elected government and president,” Erdoğan said after landing. “We are in charge and we will continue exercising our powers until the end. We will not abandon our country to these invaders. It will end well.”
Huge crowds of Turks defied a military curfew, gathering to oppose the coup by swarming around military vehicles and in some cases lying down in front of them. A series of opposition leaders, normally critical of Erdoğan’s increasingly autocratic ways, also issued supportive statements. A leading pro-Kurdish party, the People’s Democratic party (HDP), said: “The only solution is democratic politics.”
The prime minister, Binyali Yildirim, said at least 336 rebel officers had been captured by loyalist forces and promised to shoot down any military planes in the control of the coup’s supporters. Footage also emerged of police officers arresting soldiers who had taken over Istanbul’s central square on Friday night and rounding up army officials who initially seized a television channel.
Istanbul’s two airports, shut on Friday night by the coup’s supporters, reopened at 6am, and a bridge spanning the city’s Asian and European sides followed suit less than an hour later.
But Erdoğan’s loyalists could not quite declare victory, with gunfire heard in parts of Istanbul and at least one fighter jet – believed to be controlled by rebel pilots – making menacing low-flying swoops over the city centre.
At least 60 people died in overnight fighting, the presidency said, after the coup leaders launched a series of attacks on the parliament in Ankara and fired tank missiles at pro-government protesters in the streets outside.
Gruesome footage showed corpses with limbs and torsos blown apart by tank ordnance, and the sun rose on Saturday to reveal charred walls and smashed windows of the parliament.
Updated
at 5.26am BST
5.16am BST
05:16
At least 60 dead; 336 arrests
Updated figures now say at least 60 people died in the attempted coup overnight.
Some 336 people thought to have been involved in the plot have been arrested, according to the justice minister.
5.03am BST5.03am BST
05:0305:03
New chief of armed forces namedNew chief of armed forces named
Umit Dündar is the new acting chief of military staff, says prime minister Binali Yildirim.Umit Dündar is the new acting chief of military staff, says prime minister Binali Yildirim.
There is no word on the current head of the armed forces, General Hulusi Akar.There is no word on the current head of the armed forces, General Hulusi Akar.
Earlier, Erdoğan said he had no information about Akar, who was reportedly taken hostage at military headquarters by those behind the attempted coup.Earlier, Erdoğan said he had no information about Akar, who was reportedly taken hostage at military headquarters by those behind the attempted coup.
4.57am BST4.57am BST
04:5704:57
Reuters has more details as soldiers involved in the coup begin to surrender in Istanbul:Reuters has more details as soldiers involved in the coup begin to surrender in Istanbul:
Around 50 soldiers involved in an attempted military coup in Turkey surrendered on one of the bridges across the Bosphorus in Istanbul on Saturday, abandoning their tanks with their hands raised in the air, live footage on CNN Turk showed.Around 50 soldiers involved in an attempted military coup in Turkey surrendered on one of the bridges across the Bosphorus in Istanbul on Saturday, abandoning their tanks with their hands raised in the air, live footage on CNN Turk showed.
A Reuters witness earlier saw tens of other pro-coup soldiers surrendering to armed police after being surrounded in Istanbul’s central Taksim square.A Reuters witness earlier saw tens of other pro-coup soldiers surrendering to armed police after being surrounded in Istanbul’s central Taksim square.
4.45am BST4.45am BST
04:4504:45
Broadcasters are now showing live images of soldiers on Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul leaving their tanks with their hands raised.Broadcasters are now showing live images of soldiers on Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul leaving their tanks with their hands raised.
Bitti. Feto'nun verdigi cesaret 10 saat. Hesabı sorulacak. pic.twitter.com/3rEz85I9S9Bitti. Feto'nun verdigi cesaret 10 saat. Hesabı sorulacak. pic.twitter.com/3rEz85I9S9
Turkish government officials say the coup is now over – although Erdoğan did concede that what he called a “small disturbance” continues in Ankara.Turkish government officials say the coup is now over – although Erdoğan did concede that what he called a “small disturbance” continues in Ankara.
Reports from the capital, however, say fighting is still going on, with the state-run Anadolu news agency saying a military helicopter used by coup plotters has been shot down on the outskirts of Ankara.Reports from the capital, however, say fighting is still going on, with the state-run Anadolu news agency saying a military helicopter used by coup plotters has been shot down on the outskirts of Ankara.
Government sources say Turkish F-16s have also launched air strikes against tanks outside the presidential palace.Government sources say Turkish F-16s have also launched air strikes against tanks outside the presidential palace.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.46am BSTat 4.46am BST
4.39am BST4.39am BST
04:3904:39
The crowd, numbering in the thousands, is chanting and singing – one nation, one flag, one motherland – and shouting Erdoğan’s name as he leaves the platform.The crowd, numbering in the thousands, is chanting and singing – one nation, one flag, one motherland – and shouting Erdoğan’s name as he leaves the platform.
4.35am BST4.35am BST
04:3504:35
Erdoğan says he will stand firm and will not compromise.Erdoğan says he will stand firm and will not compromise.
He says he will address “those in Pennsylvania” – by which he means cleric Fethullah Gülen and his supporters – accusing them of betraying the nation. That’s enough, he says: if you are courageous, come back to Turkey.He says he will address “those in Pennsylvania” – by which he means cleric Fethullah Gülen and his supporters – accusing them of betraying the nation. That’s enough, he says: if you are courageous, come back to Turkey.
4.34am BST4.34am BST
04:3404:34
Erdoğan speaks in IstanbulErdoğan speaks in Istanbul
Broadcasts from Turkey show President Erdoğan addressing a sizeable crowd in Istanbul now.Broadcasts from Turkey show President Erdoğan addressing a sizeable crowd in Istanbul now.
He tells supporters that the government will succeed.He tells supporters that the government will succeed.
From the highest level of the army to lowest-ranking officers, he says, the armed forces must know they cannot govern the state.From the highest level of the army to lowest-ranking officers, he says, the armed forces must know they cannot govern the state.
The government is elected and is in control, he says. The people elected a president and that president is here.The government is elected and is in control, he says. The people elected a president and that president is here.
He says the coup plotters brought out tanks, but “my people” took them back.He says the coup plotters brought out tanks, but “my people” took them back.
4.29am BST4.29am BST
04:2904:29
Istanbul’s Ataturk airport – where more than 40 people were killed in suicide attacks just a fortnight ago – is now reportedly back in the hands of officers loyal to the government having earlier on Friday night been targeted by coup backers.Istanbul’s Ataturk airport – where more than 40 people were killed in suicide attacks just a fortnight ago – is now reportedly back in the hands of officers loyal to the government having earlier on Friday night been targeted by coup backers.
Flights were suspended or diverted, but some are now arriving. A number of flights are being diverted to Istanbul’s second airport, Sabiha, as the situation at Ataturk remains unclear.Flights were suspended or diverted, but some are now arriving. A number of flights are being diverted to Istanbul’s second airport, Sabiha, as the situation at Ataturk remains unclear.
Flights now inbound to Istanbul—IST. Most diverting to nearby SAW, some diverting elsewhere. https://t.co/fP90CKhojJ pic.twitter.com/LkZXO5shGKFlights now inbound to Istanbul—IST. Most diverting to nearby SAW, some diverting elsewhere. https://t.co/fP90CKhojJ pic.twitter.com/LkZXO5shGK
Turkish Airlines said it encouraged citizens to “stand up against this attack on our parliament and our public representatives”:Turkish Airlines said it encouraged citizens to “stand up against this attack on our parliament and our public representatives”:
Turkish Airlines condemns the attempted military coup.Turkish Airlines condemns the attempted military coup.
4.20am BST4.20am BST
04:2004:20
Broadcaster CNN-Turk is back on air, having been closed down on Friday night when soldiers entered the building and ordered journalists to leave.Broadcaster CNN-Turk is back on air, having been closed down on Friday night when soldiers entered the building and ordered journalists to leave.
State broadcaster TRT was also taken off air by those involved in the coup; Carlos Van Meek, its news director, told CNN in the US that its English-language channel remained off the air. Some of its Turkish channels might be restoring signals, Van Meek said:State broadcaster TRT was also taken off air by those involved in the coup; Carlos Van Meek, its news director, told CNN in the US that its English-language channel remained off the air. Some of its Turkish channels might be restoring signals, Van Meek said:
By taking us off the air, they felt they had the opportunity to control the message.By taking us off the air, they felt they had the opportunity to control the message.
4.15am BST
04:15
However, Reuters reports that bomb attacks on the parliament are continuing, with a senior Turkish official saying rebel soldiers have been warned they will be shot down if they attempt to use more military aircraft.
4.12am BST
04:12
The Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim has called an emergency meeting in parliament on Saturday, the state-run Anadolu news agency reports.
The parliament complex was bombed overnight, but parliament speaker Ismail Kahraman said no legislators were hurt. There were reports that some police officers were injured or killed but this has not been confirmed.
4.06am BST
04:06
Erdoğan blames coup on Gülenists
Peter Beaumont
The accusations by Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that US-based cleric Fethullah Gülen is behind last night’s attempted coup is part of a familiar rhetoric and a long-running rivalry. So Is there any truth in it?
The traditional rivalry in Turkish society has been between secularists who look to the modern state’s founder Kemal Ataturk – notably the army and other state institutions – and Islamists.
So who are the Gülenists? Gülen, a cleric living in exile in Pennsylvania, leads a popular movement – Hizmet or “the service” – ostensibly campaigning for democratic accountability.
The centre of recent tension between the Gülenists and Erdoğan and his AKP is the president’s decision to blame Gülenists in the police and judiciary for initiating anti-corruption allegations in 2013 that targeted his supporters, including Erdoğan’s son Bilal.
Erdoğan responded by launching a purge of perceived Gülenists.
As the coup attempt unfolded on Friday night, a lawyer for the Turkish government, Robert Amsterdam, said “there are indications of direct involvement” of Gülenists. According to Turkish intelligence sources, Amsterdam said: “There are signs that Gülen is working closely with certain members of military leadership against the elected civilian government.”
Gülen’s group, the Alliance for Shared Values, was quick to deny it, issuing a statement saying comments alleging the group’s involvement in the coup were “highly irresponsible” and that the group did not support the military intervention:
Events on the ground are moving quickly and it would be irresponsible for us to speculate on them. We remain concerned about the safety and security of Turkish citizens and those in Turkey right now.
For more than 40 years, Fethullah Gülen and Hizmet participants have advocated for, and demonstrated their commitment to, peace and democracy.
We have consistently denounced military interventions in domestic politics. These are core values of Hizmet participants. We condemn any military intervention in domestic politics of Turkey.
3.57am BST
03:57
Turkey closes border to Bulgaria
Bulgaria is boosting patrols along the border with Turkey, as Turkey has closed border crossings, Reuters reports:
The foreign ministry appealed to Bulgarians to cancel their travel plans to Turkey.
“We are following what is happening at our neighbours with concern,” prime minister Boiko Borisov told reporters at an emergency meeting with the defence and foreign ministers, as well as intelligence and security officials.
“Let’s hope it will regularise in a lawful and democratic manner … There are ways to topple a government and that in the democratic world happens through elections,” he said.
Bulgarian foreign minister Daniel Mitov spoke on the telephone with his Turkish counterpart and contacts were made by the special services, Borisov added.
The border crossings with Turkey on the Bulgarian side are open. A witness told private national BTV channel that entrance at Kapikule border crossing into Turkey is allowed, but exit towards Bulgaria is not and several cars with Bulgarians were blocked on Turkish territory.
Bulgaria has built a fence at its border with Turkey as part of its attempts to limit illegal crossings of migrants from conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The border crossings from the Turkish side are closed. We have beefed up the border with border police officers and army units,” Borisov said.
3.50am BST
03:50
International reaction
US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says:
I am following the fast-moving developments in Turkey tonight with great concern. We should all urge calm and respect for laws, institutions, and basic human rights and freedoms – and support for the democratically elected civilian government.
All parties should work to avoid further violence and bloodshed, and the safety of American citizens and diplomatic missions must be ensured.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau says:
We call for restraint by all parties. Canada supports the preservation of Turkish democracy, and condemns any attempt to subvert Turkey’s democratic institutions by force of arms.
3.44am BST
03:44
At least 42 killed in Ankara
We have more information on those killed in Ankara overnight.
The prosecutor’s office says most of the 42 people who died were civilians.
Seventeen of the dead were police officers.
In addition, a senior Turkish official says 13 soldiers who tried to storm the presidential palace have been arrested.
Updated
at 3.46am BST
3.38am BST
03:38
Ömer Çelik, Turkey’s minister for EU affairs, has tweeted these images of the parliament building as dawn breaks in the country:
Bugün YÜCE MECLİS'e saldıranlar hainlere ders verme günüdür.. pic.twitter.com/OOqS3qvRC3
It was earlier reported that a number of police officers were killed in an explosion at a building in the parliament complex.
3.35am BST
03:35
Turkey’s NTV television has cited the prosecutor’s office in Ankara saying that at least 42 people have been killed in the capital overnight.
This has not been confirmed and it’s not known at this stage whether those killed include military personnel involved in the coup, protesters who were urged to come on to the streets, or police officers who were reportedly hit in the explosion at the parliament building.
3.29am BST
03:29
It’s still very unclear what is happening in Ankara, where rebel soldiers are still said to be firing, and an explosion earlier hit the parliament building.
Images from the capital show many people – as well as tanks – on the streets in scenes of protest and chaos. There are also images of people who appear to be dead or injured; we will not publish those.
3.18am BST
03:18
Although it is evident from reports and images from Turkey that the situation is still extemely tense and unpredictable, prime minister Yildirim has told the state-run Anadolu news agency:
Things are getting better every minute.
Yildirim said people should remain in the streets to support the government.
But he warned that some air force planes flown by those engaged in the coup remain in the air. Those aircraft will be shot down, Yildirim said.