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Turkey coup attempt: military claims government takeover – live updates Turkey military coup: Erdoğan says ‘we will overcome this’ – live updates
(35 minutes later)
11.11pm BST
23:11
Here’s video of the incredible moment of Erdogan using FaceTime to broadcast his message.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan FaceTimes with TV station, says uprising will be unsuccessful https://t.co/MOl43YZhRP
11.07pm BST
23:07
Erdogan statement on FaceTime
Alan Yuhas
President Erdogan called on Turks to take to the streets in a surreal interview with CNN Türk, in which he was forced to speak to the network via a mobile phone and FaceTime.
Erdogan making a statement via Facetime pic.twitter.com/cLVxL20fSg
I urge the Turkish people to gather at public squares and airports. ... There is no power higher than the power of the people.”
He added that he believes the coup attempt will be thwarted soon, and that there will be a “strong response” to those responsible for the coup attempt. They will receive the “heavy price”, he said.
The president was speaking from an undisclosed location, and NBC News, citing an anonymous US military source, said that his plane had been refused landing rights in Istanbul.
10.59pm BST
22:59
Boris Johnson echoing the earlier statement from Foreign office officials:
Very concerned by events unfolding in #Turkey. Our Embassy is monitoring the situation closely. Brits should follow FCO website for advice
10.53pm BST
22:53
Patrick Kingsley
A presidential source has said: “This is a coup attempt by the Gulen movement, at which several known Gulenists hinted in recent months. The perpetrators have violated the chain in command.”
Here’s an interesting piece on the Gulenist movement.
10.52pm BST
22:52
BREAKING Turkish President Erdoğan blames #Gulenist network & calls on public to go to public squares and airports. pic.twitter.com/vmQlYLyv35
10.50pm BST
22:50
David Smith
John Kerry, the secretary of state, said he had heard the reports but could not comment. “I hope there will be stability and peace and continuity within Turkey,” he said while visiting Moscow.
Ned Price, spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, said: “The president’s national security team has apprised him of the unfolding situation in Turkey. The president will continue to receive regular updates.”
Turkey has the second biggest army in Nato after the US. It was a crucial ally during the cold war, although relations hit a bump in March 2003 when Turkey refused to let the US to invade Iraq from the north through Turkish territory.
Now they are military partners, albeit with significant political differences, in the fight against Islamic State. Last year Turkey agreed to let US warplanes and armed drones use the Incirlik air base, just 60 miles from the northwest Syrian border, to carry out raids against Isis. The aircraft had previously flown from Iraq or Arab allies such as Jordan.
Loss of the Turkish base would be a severe blow to the ongoing effort against Isis, especially after recent terrorist attacks within Belgium, France, Turkey and the US itself.
Turkey, which by the end of 2015 was hosting 2.5 million refugees, mostly from neighbouring Syria, has objected to US support for Kurdish forces operating in northern Syria against Isis. Washington has said it draws a clear distinction between the PKK, a foreign terrorist organisation, and the Syrian Kurds, whom it sees as one of many groups fighting Isis.
Mark Toner, deputy spokesperson for the US State Department, said last month: “Turkey is playing an important role with regard to Syria, with regard to the conflict there, both from the Assad regime as well as with Daesh [Isis]. So I don’t want to underplay that. But they have, as many countries do within the coalition, sometimes different priorities, different ideas about how to go about that, and that’s something we’re in constant dialogue with them about and working to coordinate better.”
10.45pm BST
22:45
This is how the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the nation amid a military coup this evening:
Erdoğan addressing the nation like this #Turkey pic.twitter.com/Y7UYjazQZN
My colleague Alan Yuhas says that Erdoğan said believed the coup attempt would be thwarted soon and that there would be a “strong response” to those responsible for the coup attempt. They will pay a “heavy price”, he said.
The president was speaking from an undisclosed location and NBC News, citing an anonymous US military source, said that his plane had been refused landing rights in Istanbul.
Updated
at 10.48pm BST
10.41pm BST10.41pm BST
22:4122:41
The Foreign office has advised British citizens in Turkey to avoid public places and remain vigilant until the situation there becomes clearer. A statement read: “we are concerned by events unfolding in Ankara and Istanbul.” The Foreign Office has advised British citizens in Turkey to avoid public places and remain vigilant until the situation there becomes clearer. A statement read: “We are concerned by events unfolding in Ankara and Istanbul.”
Updated
at 10.50pm BST
10.39pm BST10.39pm BST
22:3922:39
Access was restricted in Turkey on Friday to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube shortly after news broke that the military coup was under way, according to two internet monitoring groups. Access to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube was restricted in Turkey on Friday, shortly after news broke that the military coup was under way, according to two internet monitoring groups.
Reuters reported that Turkey Blocks, a group that monitors internet shutdowns in the country, and Dyn, which monitors internet performance and traffic globally, both said it was difficult or impossible to access social media services in Turkey.Reuters reported that Turkey Blocks, a group that monitors internet shutdowns in the country, and Dyn, which monitors internet performance and traffic globally, both said it was difficult or impossible to access social media services in Turkey.
The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has previously restricted access to some social media platforms.The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has previously restricted access to some social media platforms.
Updated
at 10.50pm BST
10.37pm BST10.37pm BST
22:3722:37
The Turkish state broadcaster TRT has now gone off air, say the Reuters news agency and sources in Turkey.The Turkish state broadcaster TRT has now gone off air, say the Reuters news agency and sources in Turkey.
10.29pm BST10.29pm BST
22:2922:29
The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that the coup is the work of a minority within the military.The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that the coup is the work of a minority within the military.
Speaking to CNN Turk, he adds: “We will overcome this.”Speaking to CNN Turk, he adds: “We will overcome this.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.30pm BST at 11.01pm BST
10.27pm BST10.27pm BST
22:2722:27
My colleague Ghaith Abdul-Ahad is in Istanbul. He reports that there is chaos on the main thoroughfare Istiklal, with people running in all directions.My colleague Ghaith Abdul-Ahad is in Istanbul. He reports that there is chaos on the main thoroughfare Istiklal, with people running in all directions.
Restaurants and shops are closing, somtehing is happening on Taksim Square and Tarlabashi Boulevard seems to be closed.Restaurants and shops are closing, somtehing is happening on Taksim Square and Tarlabashi Boulevard seems to be closed.
Cars are honking their horns and driving on the wrong side of the road. A lot of people are walking from the direction of Taksim. There is a sense of agitation, with people checking their phones or listening to the radio.Cars are honking their horns and driving on the wrong side of the road. A lot of people are walking from the direction of Taksim. There is a sense of agitation, with people checking their phones or listening to the radio.
10.26pm BST10.26pm BST
22:2622:26
UPDATE —Turkish citizens reacting to coup attempt begin pouring onto streets across Turkey https://t.co/1JCtBz38UR pic.twitter.com/RsFSh5krATUPDATE —Turkish citizens reacting to coup attempt begin pouring onto streets across Turkey https://t.co/1JCtBz38UR pic.twitter.com/RsFSh5krAT
10.25pm BST10.25pm BST
22:2522:25
More details from the statement read out on the state broadcaster TRT at the behest of the military faction that seems to be behind the coup: It says that the freedom of Turkish citizens is guaranteed by what is referred to as a “peace council”, regardless of religion, race or language.More details from the statement read out on the state broadcaster TRT at the behest of the military faction that seems to be behind the coup: It says that the freedom of Turkish citizens is guaranteed by what is referred to as a “peace council”, regardless of religion, race or language.
It says the Peace Council will not allow public order to be damaged.It says the Peace Council will not allow public order to be damaged.
It is worth remembering at this point that the Turkish government still claims to be in charge.It is worth remembering at this point that the Turkish government still claims to be in charge.
An EU source monitoring events has told Reuters that military forces have control of airports and strategic points in Istanbul.An EU source monitoring events has told Reuters that military forces have control of airports and strategic points in Istanbul.
10.22pm BST10.22pm BST
22:2222:22
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.23pm BSTat 10.23pm BST
10.20pm BST
22:20
The White House says President Obama is aware of the developments in Turkey and will receive regular updates.
10.19pm BST
22:19
Turkish military broadcasts on state TV amid coup reports
An announcement on the Turkish state broadcaster TRT says that a curfew has been declared across Turkey and that airports are closed. The announcer says they are being made to read a statement by the military.
The statement promises a new constitution for the country and says that democracy and the secular rule of law had been undermined. Martial law has also been imposed, it adds.
10.18pm BST
22:18
#Breaking :Civilians rush to withdraw money from ATM machines in #Turkey as military attempts coup via @RudawEnglish pic.twitter.com/iuARIMMgbj
Updated
at 10.19pm BST
10.14pm BST
22:14
The head of the Istanbul branch of Turkey’s ruling AK party says soldiers entered the party building and asked them to leave, CNN Turk reports.
10.13pm BST
22:13
Confirming media reports of gunshots & possible attempted uprising in #Turkey. Remain vigilant.
US citizens in #Turkey: please contact family & friends to let them know you are safe.
France’s foreign ministry has also advised its citizens in Turkey to stay indoors.
Updated
at 10.14pm BST
10.04pm BST
22:04
The US secretary of state John Kerry says he hopes there will be peace, stability and unity within Turkey amid reports that a military coup is underway.
10.02pm BST
22:02
Soldiers are inside the buildings of the Turkish state broadcaster TRT in the country’s capital Ankara, a correspondent for that outlet tells the Reuters news agency.
10.01pm BST
22:01
We understand that the Turkish president is due to make a statement shortly.
10.00pm BST
22:00
Alan Yuhas
The full Turkish military statement reads: “Turkish Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and general security that was damaged.
“All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue.”
The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is on holiday and outside the country. Reuters has quoted a source within his office as saying that he is safe.
Updated
at 10.08pm BST
9.53pm BST
21:53
There are numerous reports that hostages have been taken in the Turkish capital, Ankara. CNN Turk say they’re being held at a military HQ there.
The state-run Anadolu press agency says the chief of military staff is among those being held.