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Turkey military coup: tanks open fire near parliament building – live updates Turkey military coup: tanks open fire near parliament building – live updates
(35 minutes later)
12.17am BST
00:17
Obama: support democratically elected government
The White House has just released a statement on the reports of an attempted coup, saying that Barack Obama and secretary of state John Kerry “agreed that all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected Government of Turkey, show restraint, and avoid any violence or bloodshed”.
The state department will “continue to focus on the safety and security of US citizens in Turkey,” the statement added.
Tonight, @POTUS spoke with Secretary of State @JohnKerry about the ongoing situation in Turkey. pic.twitter.com/dcNGE0lJiN
12.11am BST
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Here’s some video footage capturing the chaos in Turkey right now, including scenes at the Bosphorus Bridge where armed personnel were seen patrolling and in the capital Ankara where gunshots were heard.
12.05am BST
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Former prime minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has told al-Jazeera in an interview that the attempted coup is utilizing “illegal methods” and constitutes an “an attack against democracy”.
From the New York Times, Davutoğlu said:
Stability of Turkey means stability of many other countries, and the stability of Turkey means the stability of a safe haven of millions of refugees. If it is harmed, the domino effect cannot be prevented.
Davutoğlu repeatedly suggested that the coup was being led merely by a “clique” in the military and said he expected the coup to fail.
“Throughout my life we have seen many attempts by these types of cliques in the army,” he said. “They were not able to succeed for a long time and, after so many years, I am sure we will protect our dignity, our democracy.”
Former #Turkey PM @Ahmet_Davutoglu urges civilians to come out on the streets against #TurkeyCoup on @AJEnglish pic.twitter.com/kaYgKLPLrg
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at 12.16am BST
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Here’s a live-stream looking onto the Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul:Here’s a live-stream looking onto the Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul:
11.42pm BST11.42pm BST
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The US state department has issued an “emergency alert” for Americans in Turkey, saying:The US state department has issued an “emergency alert” for Americans in Turkey, saying:
Shots fired and explosions have been heard in Ankara and both bridges in Istanbul, the Bosphorous and Faith Sultan Mehmet, are now closed. Martial law and a curfew have been imposed in Turkey. All flights at Atatürk Istanbul airport have been suspended.Shots fired and explosions have been heard in Ankara and both bridges in Istanbul, the Bosphorous and Faith Sultan Mehmet, are now closed. Martial law and a curfew have been imposed in Turkey. All flights at Atatürk Istanbul airport have been suspended.
The statement notes that although there are reports that social media may be blocked, US citizens should attempt to contact family and friends by phone or email.The statement notes that although there are reports that social media may be blocked, US citizens should attempt to contact family and friends by phone or email.
New Emergency Message for US citizens in #Turkey pic.twitter.com/De1c20pmrzNew Emergency Message for US citizens in #Turkey pic.twitter.com/De1c20pmrz
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Tanks open fire - reportsTanks open fire - reports
Alan YuhasAlan Yuhas
Tanks have opened fire near the Turkish parliament building, Reuters reports, following similar reports from NTV and local journalists about gunfire in Ankara and Istanbul.Tanks have opened fire near the Turkish parliament building, Reuters reports, following similar reports from NTV and local journalists about gunfire in Ankara and Istanbul.
Protesters have heard Erdoğan’s call to take to the streets, though, and some are chanting “shoulder to shoulder against the coup”. Others have squared off with military forces who’ve closed bridges and streets. In one video, a policeman and military officer argue in a crowd in the street; in another, cars jammed in traffic honked horns in unison as people mill among them. In a third, a crowd sings and lifts up a huge Turkish flag.Protesters have heard Erdoğan’s call to take to the streets, though, and some are chanting “shoulder to shoulder against the coup”. Others have squared off with military forces who’ve closed bridges and streets. In one video, a policeman and military officer argue in a crowd in the street; in another, cars jammed in traffic honked horns in unison as people mill among them. In a third, a crowd sings and lifts up a huge Turkish flag.
Police now arresting the Army. #Turkey has gone crazy - @AboShla5Libralypic.twitter.com/hucBFou1VfPolice now arresting the Army. #Turkey has gone crazy - @AboShla5Libralypic.twitter.com/hucBFou1Vf
Photos posted on social media shows protesters climbing onto a tank and challenging the military, and live video, streaming on Facebook, showed throngs of people in the streets around the country.Photos posted on social media shows protesters climbing onto a tank and challenging the military, and live video, streaming on Facebook, showed throngs of people in the streets around the country.
DURUM| Tankların üstünde siviller var, askerlere müdahale ediliyor pic.twitter.com/gE0eMQj58PDURUM| Tankların üstünde siviller var, askerlere müdahale ediliyor pic.twitter.com/gE0eMQj58P
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Paul LewisPaul Lewis
Prof Omer Taspinar, a senior fellow at Brookings Institution who has repeatedly warned of a military coup in Turkey in recent months, said a critical question would be the degree to which the entire military command was involved in the attempted coup:Prof Omer Taspinar, a senior fellow at Brookings Institution who has repeatedly warned of a military coup in Turkey in recent months, said a critical question would be the degree to which the entire military command was involved in the attempted coup:
The situation is really fluid. Right now the question is whether the attempted coup is from the top command, with the top brass involved, or a colonel-level or officer-coup, from a certain segment of the army. There are indications right now that it is the latter. The chief of staff of the military has not spoken yet and traditionally with Turkish coups you would expect the head of the military to be on TV taking command.”The situation is really fluid. Right now the question is whether the attempted coup is from the top command, with the top brass involved, or a colonel-level or officer-coup, from a certain segment of the army. There are indications right now that it is the latter. The chief of staff of the military has not spoken yet and traditionally with Turkish coups you would expect the head of the military to be on TV taking command.”
He continued: “This will rattle the Turkish markets. It will tarnish the country’s image. My analysis is that this will certainly be embarrassing for the country’s recently re-elected president, Recep Erdoğan. The signs are chaotic right now but I think the rumors of Erdoğan’s demise would be highly exaggerated given he has been on TV.”He continued: “This will rattle the Turkish markets. It will tarnish the country’s image. My analysis is that this will certainly be embarrassing for the country’s recently re-elected president, Recep Erdoğan. The signs are chaotic right now but I think the rumors of Erdoğan’s demise would be highly exaggerated given he has been on TV.”
Taspinar said the most dangerous risk was a breakout in fighting between divisions within the Turkish military and police forces and intelligence factions aligned between with Erdoğan’s interior ministry. “I don’t expect that to happen, but if it does it would be devastating to Turkey.”Taspinar said the most dangerous risk was a breakout in fighting between divisions within the Turkish military and police forces and intelligence factions aligned between with Erdoğan’s interior ministry. “I don’t expect that to happen, but if it does it would be devastating to Turkey.”
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What we know so farWhat we know so far
Sam LevinSam Levin
UpdatedUpdated
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Here’s video of the incredible moment of Erdoğan using FaceTime to broadcast his message.Here’s video of the incredible moment of Erdoğan using FaceTime to broadcast his message.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan FaceTimes with TV station, says uprising will be unsuccessful https://t.co/MOl43YZhRPTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan FaceTimes with TV station, says uprising will be unsuccessful https://t.co/MOl43YZhRP
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Erdoğan statement on FaceTimeErdoğan statement on FaceTime
Alan YuhasAlan Yuhas
President Erdoğan 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.President Erdoğan 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/cLVxL20fSgErdogan 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.”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.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.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.
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22:5922:59
Boris Johnson echoing the earlier statement from Foreign Office officials: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 adviceVery concerned by events unfolding in #Turkey. Our Embassy is monitoring the situation closely. Brits should follow FCO website for advice
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10.53pm BST10.53pm BST
22:5322:53
Patrick KingsleyPatrick 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.”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.Here’s an interesting piece on the Gulenist movement.
10.52pm BST10.52pm BST
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BREAKING Turkish President Erdoğan blames #Gulenist network & calls on public to go to public squares and airports. pic.twitter.com/vmQlYLyv35BREAKING Turkish President Erdoğan blames #Gulenist network & calls on public to go to public squares and airports. pic.twitter.com/vmQlYLyv35