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| Turkey coup: celebrations in Ankara as Erdoğan cracks down on insurgents - live | Turkey coup: celebrations in Ankara as Erdoğan cracks down on insurgents - live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 5.51pm BST | |
| 17:51 | |
| The White House does not know of any Americans killed or injured in clashes overnight in Turkey, according to a statement on Barack Obama’s latest briefing. | |
| In the statement Obama reiterates the need for continued coordination with Turkey, with which the US relies on for military and intelligence support and stemming the flow of refugees from Syria. | |
| “The president this morning received an update from his national security and broader foreign policy team on the situation in Turkey. The president’s advisers apprised him of the most recent developments on the ground, and the president instructed his team to continue to work with their Turkish counterparts to maintain the safety and well-being of diplomatic missions and personnel, US servicemembers and their dependents. | |
| “While we have no indications as of yet that Americans were killed or injured in the violence, the president and his team lamented the loss of life and registered the vital need for all parties in Turkey to act within the rule of law and to avoid actions that would lead to further violence or instability. The president also underscored the shared challenges that will require continued Turkish cooperation, including our joint efforts against terrorism.” | |
| Related: Turkey coup attempt could destabilize ally in region reeling from terrorism | |
| 5.38pm BST | |
| 17:38 | |
| Turkey detains top general and judge | |
| Turkish authorities have detained one of the military’s top generals and a member of the nation’s highest court, according to Anadolu news and CNN Türk. | |
| Reuters has background on the officials: | |
| General Adem Huduti is the most senior officer to be apprehended so far following the attempted intervention that killed more than 160 people. The Second Army, based in Malatya, protects Turkey’s borders with Syria, Iraq and Iran. | |
| Alparslan Altan is a member of the country’s top court and the most senior judicial figure among scores of civilians detained so far. | |
| #Turkey BREAKING: government forces have arrested Adem Huduti who commands the 2nd Army pic.twitter.com/xNcrGJGE7n | |
| 5.05pm BST | 5.05pm BST |
| 17:05 | 17:05 |
| What we know | What we know |
| Nearly 18 hours after Turkish tanks and soldiers first closed bridges in Istanbul and a group within the military declared itself in control to “to reinstall the constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms”, the coup has failed and the backlash begun. | Nearly 18 hours after Turkish tanks and soldiers first closed bridges in Istanbul and a group within the military declared itself in control to “to reinstall the constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms”, the coup has failed and the backlash begun. |
| Related: 'It was like 1970s': how soldiers on the street tested Turkey's post-coup politics | Related: 'It was like 1970s': how soldiers on the street tested Turkey's post-coup politics |
| Updated | |
| at 5.31pm BST | |
| 4.30pm BST | 4.30pm BST |
| 16:30 | 16:30 |
| PM Yildirim: any country with Gulen is an enemy of Turkey | PM Yildirim: any country with Gulen is an enemy of Turkey |
| Any country that stands by exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen will not considered an enemy of Turkey, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has said in remarks reported by Reuters. | Any country that stands by exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen will not considered an enemy of Turkey, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has said in remarks reported by Reuters. |
| Yildirim and president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have accused Gulen, who lives at a remote compound in central Pennsylvania, of orchestrating the coup with a faction of the military. They have said that Gulen created a “parallel structure” within the courts, media and military. | Yildirim and president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have accused Gulen, who lives at a remote compound in central Pennsylvania, of orchestrating the coup with a faction of the military. They have said that Gulen created a “parallel structure” within the courts, media and military. |
| Gulen has condemned “in the strongest terms the attempted military coup” and “categorically” denied any involvement. “Government should be won through a process of free and fair elections, not force,” he said in a statement. | Gulen has condemned “in the strongest terms the attempted military coup” and “categorically” denied any involvement. “Government should be won through a process of free and fair elections, not force,” he said in a statement. |
| Speaking in parliament, Yildirim also said that he hopes Turkey’s political parties will be able to set aside their past enmity and have a “new start” together. | Speaking in parliament, Yildirim also said that he hopes Turkey’s political parties will be able to set aside their past enmity and have a “new start” together. |
| American secretary of state John Kerry said earlier on Saturday that the US has not received any extradition request and would hear a petition. But he made clear that the US would require evidence of Gulen’s wrongdoing. | American secretary of state John Kerry said earlier on Saturday that the US has not received any extradition request and would hear a petition. But he made clear that the US would require evidence of Gulen’s wrongdoing. |
| “I’m sure people will wonder about allegations of who may have instigated this and where support came from,” he said. “The United States will obviously be supportive of any legitimate investigative efforts and under due process and within the law, we will be completely supportive of efforts to assist the government if they so request.” | “I’m sure people will wonder about allegations of who may have instigated this and where support came from,” he said. “The United States will obviously be supportive of any legitimate investigative efforts and under due process and within the law, we will be completely supportive of efforts to assist the government if they so request.” |
| Kerry added that he hopes: “that there will be a constitutional process, and a legal process, that will deal appropriately with coup-plotters.” | Kerry added that he hopes: “that there will be a constitutional process, and a legal process, that will deal appropriately with coup-plotters.” |
| Related: Fethullah Gülen: who is the man Turkey's president blames for coup attempt? | Related: Fethullah Gülen: who is the man Turkey's president blames for coup attempt? |
| 4.16pm BST | 4.16pm BST |
| 16:16 | 16:16 |
| In Ankara my colleague Kareem Shaheen is with the scores of people celebrating in the aftermath of the failed coup – he reports that police and the loyal military factions are preparing for more trouble later today, despite the joyous atmosphere. | In Ankara my colleague Kareem Shaheen is with the scores of people celebrating in the aftermath of the failed coup – he reports that police and the loyal military factions are preparing for more trouble later today, despite the joyous atmosphere. |
| Carnival atmosphere in Ankara's Kizilay right now celebrating the coup's defeat pic.twitter.com/XjEXdyE0cF | Carnival atmosphere in Ankara's Kizilay right now celebrating the coup's defeat pic.twitter.com/XjEXdyE0cF |
| Police cordon near damaged parliament and military HQ buildings in central Ankara pic.twitter.com/fjhFiLCHC7 | Police cordon near damaged parliament and military HQ buildings in central Ankara pic.twitter.com/fjhFiLCHC7 |
| 4.09pm BST | 4.09pm BST |
| 16:09 | 16:09 |
| Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, said that the community should have a unified reaction to every coup attempt, according to the state-run news agency. | Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, said that the community should have a unified reaction to every coup attempt, according to the state-run news agency. |
| Speaking to Turkey’s private news channel NTV, Kilicidaroglu took a stand against a military coup attempt, Anadolu agency. | Speaking to Turkey’s private news channel NTV, Kilicidaroglu took a stand against a military coup attempt, Anadolu agency. |
| “Community should give joint reaction to every coup attempt,” he said. | “Community should give joint reaction to every coup attempt,” he said. |
| “So, whoever does, wherever it comes, we should take a joint stand against the coup as we take a joint stand against terrorism.” | “So, whoever does, wherever it comes, we should take a joint stand against the coup as we take a joint stand against terrorism.” |
| The head of the Turkish Nationalist Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli made a telephone call to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and said the attempted coup was not acceptable, according to a report from the Turkish state-run agency. | The head of the Turkish Nationalist Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli made a telephone call to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and said the attempted coup was not acceptable, according to a report from the Turkish state-run agency. |
| According to a statement form the Turkish Prime Ministry, Bahceli said his party is in solidarity with Turkish Republic, Anadolu agency reports. | According to a statement form the Turkish Prime Ministry, Bahceli said his party is in solidarity with Turkish Republic, Anadolu agency reports. |
| In a written statement, Bahceli said an attempt at suspending democracy and ignoring the national will is a big mistake against Turkey. | In a written statement, Bahceli said an attempt at suspending democracy and ignoring the national will is a big mistake against Turkey. |
| “The price Turkey will pay will be considerably high in the event of a civil war in Turkey. As Turkish people, we need to be distant to all kinds of interventions risking our national unity and integrity,” he said. | “The price Turkey will pay will be considerably high in the event of a civil war in Turkey. As Turkish people, we need to be distant to all kinds of interventions risking our national unity and integrity,” he said. |
| In a joint written statement, People’s Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairs, Selehattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, said: “HDP takes a stand against every coup in every condition.” | In a joint written statement, People’s Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairs, Selehattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, said: “HDP takes a stand against every coup in every condition.” |
| “There is no way beside protecting the democratic politics,” it added. | “There is no way beside protecting the democratic politics,” it added. |
| 3.33pm BST | 3.33pm BST |
| 15:33 | 15:33 |
| Hundreds of people waving Turkish flags have gathered outside of the parliament in Ankara to protest the coup attempt as legislators prepare to hold an emergency session, AP reports. | Hundreds of people waving Turkish flags have gathered outside of the parliament in Ankara to protest the coup attempt as legislators prepare to hold an emergency session, AP reports. |
| In an unprecedented show of unity, all four parties represented in parliament are expected to issue a joint declaration Saturday condemning the attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government. | In an unprecedented show of unity, all four parties represented in parliament are expected to issue a joint declaration Saturday condemning the attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government. |
| The extraordinary session began with a minute of silence in honor of those who lost their lives during the coup, followed by the singing of the national anthem. | The extraordinary session began with a minute of silence in honor of those who lost their lives during the coup, followed by the singing of the national anthem. |
| 3.20pm BST | 3.20pm BST |
| 15:20 | 15:20 |
| The Associated Press has taken a look at Turkey’s long history of coups here: | The Associated Press has taken a look at Turkey’s long history of coups here: |
| How long has the military intervened in politics? | How long has the military intervened in politics? |
| The military staged three coups between 1960 and 1980 and pressured Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, a pious Muslim mentor of Erdogan who was disliked by Turkey’s secular establishment, out of power in 1997. In 2007, the military threatened to intervene in a presidential election and warned the government to curb Islamic influences, but the action backfired and Abdullah Gul, the candidate favored by a government with Islamic leanings, took office. The latest coup attempt surprised observers because Erdogan’s government had taken steps to bring the military to heel, including dismissals and prosecutions of high-ranking active and former officers for alleged coup plots. Erdogan’s government appeared to be working effectively with the military, coordinating on national security issues and confronting a perceived anti-government faction said to have infiltrated the police and other institutions. | The military staged three coups between 1960 and 1980 and pressured Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, a pious Muslim mentor of Erdogan who was disliked by Turkey’s secular establishment, out of power in 1997. In 2007, the military threatened to intervene in a presidential election and warned the government to curb Islamic influences, but the action backfired and Abdullah Gul, the candidate favored by a government with Islamic leanings, took office. The latest coup attempt surprised observers because Erdogan’s government had taken steps to bring the military to heel, including dismissals and prosecutions of high-ranking active and former officers for alleged coup plots. Erdogan’s government appeared to be working effectively with the military, coordinating on national security issues and confronting a perceived anti-government faction said to have infiltrated the police and other institutions. |
| Why would the military try to step in now? | Why would the military try to step in now? |
| The Turkish military has traditionally seen itself as the guardian of Turkey’s old secular establishment, a legacy of national founder and former army officer Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, as well as an enforcer of order in times of civil unrest and weak civilian leadership. While it was forced to lower its political profile under Erdogan’s government, Turkey’s military has been buffeted by a renewed conflict with Kurdish separatist rebels and bombings by suspected Islamic extremists, including an attack on Istanbul’s main airport last month that killed dozens. Erdogan has also been a polarizing leader, though he commands deep support among a pious Muslim class that once felt marginalized under past military-influenced governments. | The Turkish military has traditionally seen itself as the guardian of Turkey’s old secular establishment, a legacy of national founder and former army officer Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, as well as an enforcer of order in times of civil unrest and weak civilian leadership. While it was forced to lower its political profile under Erdogan’s government, Turkey’s military has been buffeted by a renewed conflict with Kurdish separatist rebels and bombings by suspected Islamic extremists, including an attack on Istanbul’s main airport last month that killed dozens. Erdogan has also been a polarizing leader, though he commands deep support among a pious Muslim class that once felt marginalized under past military-influenced governments. |
| Why is the Turkish military so important? | Why is the Turkish military so important? |
| Turkey is a NATO member and a key partner in U.S.-led efforts to defeat the Islamic State group, which controls territory in Syria and Iraq, and has allowed American fighter jets to use its Incirlik air base to fly missions against the extremists. Turkey’s strategic location in the Mideast region, straddling the Asian and European continents, makes it a critical player in international conflicts. In 2003, Turkey barred U.S. forces from using its territory in the invasion of Iraq, raising questions about whether the politically powerful Turkish military had undercut a civilian-led initiative to help the Americans. | Turkey is a NATO member and a key partner in U.S.-led efforts to defeat the Islamic State group, which controls territory in Syria and Iraq, and has allowed American fighter jets to use its Incirlik air base to fly missions against the extremists. Turkey’s strategic location in the Mideast region, straddling the Asian and European continents, makes it a critical player in international conflicts. In 2003, Turkey barred U.S. forces from using its territory in the invasion of Iraq, raising questions about whether the politically powerful Turkish military had undercut a civilian-led initiative to help the Americans. |
| What do Turks think about their military? | What do Turks think about their military? |
| Turks have a conflicted relationship with their military, an institution that is cloaked in the lore of sacrifice, but also tarnished as a past symbol of repression. Past military coup leaders have been seen as saviors from chaos and corruption, but also ruthless. In the 1960 military takeover, the prime minister and key ministers were executed. Torture, disappearances and extrajudicial killings were rampant in a 1980 coup. Despite that past, the military retains respect and vast economic resources. Service is a rite of passage for almost all men, who serve as conscripts. Soldiers who die in fighting with Kurdish rebels are hailed as martyrs. | Turks have a conflicted relationship with their military, an institution that is cloaked in the lore of sacrifice, but also tarnished as a past symbol of repression. Past military coup leaders have been seen as saviors from chaos and corruption, but also ruthless. In the 1960 military takeover, the prime minister and key ministers were executed. Torture, disappearances and extrajudicial killings were rampant in a 1980 coup. Despite that past, the military retains respect and vast economic resources. Service is a rite of passage for almost all men, who serve as conscripts. Soldiers who die in fighting with Kurdish rebels are hailed as martyrs. |
| 3.15pm BST | 3.15pm BST |
| 15:15 | 15:15 |
| Demonstrators against the coup have gathered in the Turkish capital of Ankara waving flags and singing the national anthem. Here’s some images that have come into the Guardian picture desk of the scenes. | Demonstrators against the coup have gathered in the Turkish capital of Ankara waving flags and singing the national anthem. Here’s some images that have come into the Guardian picture desk of the scenes. |
| 3.05pm BST | 3.05pm BST |
| 15:05 | 15:05 |
| German chancellor Angela Merkel has condemned the attempted military coup in Turkey and said Berlin stood by those who defended democracy and the rule of law in Turkey. | German chancellor Angela Merkel has condemned the attempted military coup in Turkey and said Berlin stood by those who defended democracy and the rule of law in Turkey. |
| “It’s tragic that so many people died during this attempted coup,” Merkel told reporters in Berlin. “The bloodshed in Turkey must stop now.” | “It’s tragic that so many people died during this attempted coup,” Merkel told reporters in Berlin. “The bloodshed in Turkey must stop now.” |
| Merkel said it was the right of the Turkish people to choose their political leader in free elections and political change should only be achieved within the framework of political institutions and the rules of democratic competition. | Merkel said it was the right of the Turkish people to choose their political leader in free elections and political change should only be achieved within the framework of political institutions and the rules of democratic competition. |
| “Tanks on the streets and air strikes against the own people are injustice,” Merkel said. | “Tanks on the streets and air strikes against the own people are injustice,” Merkel said. |
| 3.03pm BST | 3.03pm BST |
| 15:03 | 15:03 |
| The Dialogue Society, a charity aimed at improving social cohesion, has issued a statement commenting on the coup, in which it claims its Turkish-speaking members in the UK have reported a spike in hate-crime since the coup erupted. It said: | The Dialogue Society, a charity aimed at improving social cohesion, has issued a statement commenting on the coup, in which it claims its Turkish-speaking members in the UK have reported a spike in hate-crime since the coup erupted. It said: |
| We hope those accused with trying to overthrow the government will be tried in courts of law and this incident becomes a source of motivation for strengthening Turkey’s democracy. We are particularly concerned that Turkey’s domestic troubles are used as a source of polarisation of the Turkish-speaking communities overseas and have already received reports from members of hate crime originating out of the UK. We encourage anyone who witnesses hate crime to report it to the police immediately. | We hope those accused with trying to overthrow the government will be tried in courts of law and this incident becomes a source of motivation for strengthening Turkey’s democracy. We are particularly concerned that Turkey’s domestic troubles are used as a source of polarisation of the Turkish-speaking communities overseas and have already received reports from members of hate crime originating out of the UK. We encourage anyone who witnesses hate crime to report it to the police immediately. |
| 2.59pm BST | 2.59pm BST |
| 14:59 | 14:59 |
| My US colleague Amana Fontanella-Khan is outside the Pennsylvania home of Fethullah Gulen, the Muslim cleric blamed by the Turkish president for the failed coup attempt. | My US colleague Amana Fontanella-Khan is outside the Pennsylvania home of Fethullah Gulen, the Muslim cleric blamed by the Turkish president for the failed coup attempt. |
| A coup-plotter's lair? Only birds making a sound outside Gulen's HQ in Saylorsburg. Deadly quiet otherwise pic.twitter.com/dKafICmQDl | A coup-plotter's lair? Only birds making a sound outside Gulen's HQ in Saylorsburg. Deadly quiet otherwise pic.twitter.com/dKafICmQDl |
| Turkish translation for visitors wanting to park outside Gulen's Center. Impending media scrum will probs ignore... pic.twitter.com/Vsys2KkeNy | Turkish translation for visitors wanting to park outside Gulen's Center. Impending media scrum will probs ignore... pic.twitter.com/Vsys2KkeNy |
| 2.50pm BST | 2.50pm BST |
| 14:50 | 14:50 |
| Here’s a livestream of a rally in Istanbul celebrating the failure of the coup | Here’s a livestream of a rally in Istanbul celebrating the failure of the coup |
| 2.48pm BST | 2.48pm BST |
| 14:48 | 14:48 |
| US Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States would entertain an extradition request for exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey’s president blames for a failed coup, AP reports. | US Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States would entertain an extradition request for exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey’s president blames for a failed coup, AP reports. |
| But Kerry added Turkey’s government would have to present evidence of Gulen’s wrongdoing that withstands scrutiny. | But Kerry added Turkey’s government would have to present evidence of Gulen’s wrongdoing that withstands scrutiny. |
| While visiting Luxembourg, Kerry said Turkey hasn’t made a request to send the Pennsylvania-based Gulen home. But he says he anticipates questions about Gulen, who has condemned the coup. | While visiting Luxembourg, Kerry said Turkey hasn’t made a request to send the Pennsylvania-based Gulen home. But he says he anticipates questions about Gulen, who has condemned the coup. |
| 2.28pm BST | 2.28pm BST |
| 14:28 | 14:28 |
| Turkey’s state-run news agency says authorities have detained 10 members of Turkey’s highest administrative court as the government appeared to press ahead with a purge of judiciary officials with alleged links to a US-based Muslim cleric. | Turkey’s state-run news agency says authorities have detained 10 members of Turkey’s highest administrative court as the government appeared to press ahead with a purge of judiciary officials with alleged links to a US-based Muslim cleric. |
| The Anadolu Agency said that arrest warrants were issued for 48 administrative court members and 140 members of Turkey’s appeals court. Earlier, Anadolu said a body overseeing judges and prosecutors in Turkey has dismissed 2,745 judges across Turkey. | The Anadolu Agency said that arrest warrants were issued for 48 administrative court members and 140 members of Turkey’s appeals court. Earlier, Anadolu said a body overseeing judges and prosecutors in Turkey has dismissed 2,745 judges across Turkey. |
| 2.21pm BST | 2.21pm BST |
| 14:21 | 14:21 |
| John Kerry, US Secretary of State, has spoken at length to reporters about his administration’s analysis of the failed coup in Turkey and the fallout. He said: | John Kerry, US Secretary of State, has spoken at length to reporters about his administration’s analysis of the failed coup in Turkey and the fallout. He said: |
| The United States, without any hesitation, squarely and unequivocally stands for democratic leadership, for the respect for the democratically elected leader and for constitutional process with that regard. | The United States, without any hesitation, squarely and unequivocally stands for democratic leadership, for the respect for the democratically elected leader and for constitutional process with that regard. |
| We stand by the Government of Turkey. It is our understanding that things are now calm, that order is being restored. I talked directly with my foreign minister counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, last night at the time where things were still uncertain as to what was happening and expressed my confidence in him and in the Government and our readiness to be supportive. | We stand by the Government of Turkey. It is our understanding that things are now calm, that order is being restored. I talked directly with my foreign minister counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, last night at the time where things were still uncertain as to what was happening and expressed my confidence in him and in the Government and our readiness to be supportive. |
| At this moment, all of our embassy personnel are 100% accounted for and okay. We are working to determine that all of our citizens who are travelling in Turkey are equally well taken care of and protected. | At this moment, all of our embassy personnel are 100% accounted for and okay. We are working to determine that all of our citizens who are travelling in Turkey are equally well taken care of and protected. |
| There was obviously an unfortunate loss of life and so we extend our sympathies to all of the families of the victims, and our hope that in the immediate hours here things will remain calm. That there will be a constitutional process, and a legal process, that will deal appropriately with coup-plotters. | There was obviously an unfortunate loss of life and so we extend our sympathies to all of the families of the victims, and our hope that in the immediate hours here things will remain calm. That there will be a constitutional process, and a legal process, that will deal appropriately with coup-plotters. |
| But as of this moment, Turkey’s co-operation with us with our coutner-terrorism efforts, in our Nato obligations and in our regional efforts with respect to Syria and Isis have not been affected negatively. All of that has continued as before. | But as of this moment, Turkey’s co-operation with us with our coutner-terrorism efforts, in our Nato obligations and in our regional efforts with respect to Syria and Isis have not been affected negatively. All of that has continued as before. |
| I’m sure people will wonder about allegations of who may have instigated this and where support came from, the United States will obviously be supportive of any legitimate investigative efforts and under due process and within the law, we will be completely supportive of efforts to assist the Government if they so request. | I’m sure people will wonder about allegations of who may have instigated this and where support came from, the United States will obviously be supportive of any legitimate investigative efforts and under due process and within the law, we will be completely supportive of efforts to assist the Government if they so request. |