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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) | |
| 6.11am BST | |
| 06:11 | |
| There were attacks overnight on the Turkish parliament and presidential palace; it is unclear whether those assaults have stopped. | |
| Images from Ankara on Saturday morning show some of the damage. | |
| 6.03am BST | |
| 06:03 | |
| Turkish news site Aksam reports the arrest of Rear Admiral Nejat Atilla Demirhan: | |
| Tuğamiral Nejat Atilla Demirhan, Mersin Emniyet Müdürlüğü’ne getirildi pic.twitter.com/VMbeBwnoi9 | |
| 5.59am BST | |
| 05:59 | |
| According to a senior government official, via Reuters, Turkish military headquarters are now back under the control of armed forces loyal to the government. | |
| However, there are still pockets of rebel soldiers continuing to fight, and they still have some military helicopters. | |
| No fighter jets remain under rebel control, the official said. | |
| 5.52am BST | |
| 05:52 | |
| Germany has expressed its backing for the Turkish government against the attempted coup. Steffen Seibert, spokesman for German chancellor Angela Merkel, said on Saturday morning: | |
| The democratic order in Turkey must be respected. Everything needs to be done to protect human lives. | |
| 5.45am BST | |
| 05:45 | |
| State news agency Anadolu now reports that 754 members of the armed forces have been detained in connection with the attempted coup. | |
| 5.44am BST | 5.44am BST |
| 05:44 | 05:44 |
| Gülen 'categorically denies' links to coup | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | I categorically deny such accusations. |
| Read more about Gülen and his rivalry with Erdoğan here: | 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? | Related: Fethullah Gülen: who is the man blamed by Turkey's president for coup attempt? |
| 5.34am BST | 5.34am BST |
| 05:34 | 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: | 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. | 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. | Calling itself the Peace at Home Movement, the faction also called on people to stay indoors for their own safety. |
| 5.23am BST | 5.23am BST |
| 05:23 | 05:23 |
| Patrick Kingsley | Patrick Kingsley |
| The Guardian’s Patrick Kingsley is in Istanbul and sends this latest: | 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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.” | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | Updated |
| at 5.26am BST | at 5.26am BST |
| 5.16am BST | 5.16am BST |
| 05:16 | 05:16 |
| At least 60 dead; 336 arrests | At least 60 dead; 336 arrests |
| Updated figures now say at least 60 people died in the attempted coup overnight. | 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. | Some 336 people thought to have been involved in the plot have been arrested, according to the justice minister. |
| 5.03am BST | 5.03am BST |
| 05:03 | 05:03 |
| New chief of armed forces named | New 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 BST | 4.57am BST |
| 04:57 | 04:57 |
| 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 BST | 4.45am BST |
| 04:45 | 04:45 |
| 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/3rEz85I9S9 | Bitti. 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.46am BST | at 4.46am BST |
| 4.39am BST | 4.39am BST |
| 04:39 | 04:39 |
| 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 BST | 4.35am BST |
| 04:35 | 04:35 |
| 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 BST | 4.34am BST |
| 04:34 | 04:34 |
| Erdoğan speaks in Istanbul | Erdoğan 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 BST | 4.29am BST |
| 04:29 | 04:29 |
| 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/LkZXO5shGK | Flights 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 BST | 4.20am BST |
| 04:20 | 04:20 |
| 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. |