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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Turkey military coup: thousands answer Erdoğan’s call to take to streets – live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.03am BST | |
| 01:03 | |
| Social media may be blocked | |
| Julia Carrie Wong | |
| Turkey may be blocking or slowing access to social media networks amid an attempted military coup, although there are conflicting reports emerging from the country that’s been described as a “bastion of internet censorship” by the Electronic Freedom Foundation. | |
| Turkey Blocks, an organization that monitors internet censorship in the country, tweeted on Friday evening that Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube were being blocked, but that Vimeo and Instagram were still functioning. | |
| Confirmed: Twitter, Facebook & YouTube blocked in #Turkey at 10:50PM after apparent military uprising in #Turkey pic.twitter.com/J9ER5yOGYP | |
| Internet censorship in Turkey typically occurs when the government orders internet service providers to block access to certain domains, according to Deji Olukotun of Access Now, a digital rights advocacy group. | |
| Read the Guardian’s full report on possible social media censorship here: | |
| Related: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube may be blocked in Turkey amid coup attempt | |
| 12.57am BST | |
| 00:57 | |
| Bomb hits Turkish parliament – reports | |
| A bomb has reportedly hit the Turkish parliament in Ankara, according to the Associated Press, citing Anadolu Agency, a state news agency. | |
| BREAKING: Anadolu Agency reports a bomb has hit the Turkish parliament in Ankara. | |
| The extent of any damage or possible injuries was not immediately clear. A resident who lived near the area told the AP that he “heard a massive explosion that shook buildings and saw a column of smoke”, but couldn’t confirm if it was coming directly from parliament. The person said fighter jets were flying low in the area. | |
| On live TV, a cell phone feed of the Parliament, deputies say they had some sort bomb thrown at them. No major damage | |
| CNN-Turk television reported some police officers and parliament workers were hurt in the bomb attack. | |
| BEŞİKTAŞ'TA PATLAMAhttps://t.co/QRLWhMEOfI https://t.co/kxp5UTkWYc | |
| 12.46am BST | |
| 00:46 | |
| Nato chief: "full respect" for Turkish government | |
| Nato’s chief has issued a call for “full respect” for Turkey’s democratic institutions and constitution, according to the Associated Press. Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement: | |
| I have just spoken to the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. I am following events in Turkey closely and with concern. | |
| The statement continued, “I call for calm and restraint, and full respect for Turkey’s democratic institutions and its constitution. ...Turkey is a valued Nato ally.” | |
| 12.40am BST | |
| 00:40 | |
| Analysis: how a coup could destabilize a western ally | |
| Here’s the Guardian’s analysis of how the attempted Turkey coup attempt could destabilize a western ally in a region already reeling from war, terrorism and mass migration: | |
| The Turkish military’s apparent attempt to seize power on Friday unleashed panic in the streets and sent shockwaves through Nato and across the Middle East. | |
| With the state broadcaster TRT off the air, and martial law and a curfew declared across the country, people in Istanbul scrambled to get indoors as military jets flew overhead. | |
| The extraordinary turn of events also baffled many in the foreign policy community, many of whom perceived Turkey’s elected government as relatively stable. | |
| Read the full story here: | |
| Related: Turkey coup attempt could destabilize ally in region reeling from terrorism | |
| 12.30am BST | |
| 00:30 | |
| Paul Lewis | |
| It is now after 2.20am in Istanbul, but live video footage appears to show crowds flooding onto the streets, gathering the Bosphorus Bridge and Taksim Square, apparently heeding the request from president Recep Erdoğan to resist the attempted coup. The crowds are directly defying a command from the military, which has declared martial law and implemented a curfew. | |
| TV footage is showing chaotic scenes; some shots appear to show jubilant crowds of hundreds waving flags. There is video of groups of men marching and chanting through Istanbul Ataturk International Airport, and footage of groups of men doing the same in residential streets in the suburbs of the city. | |
| Still more footage, from other parts of the city, have shown civilians appearing to confront military vehicles on bridges, or near government buildings, alongside the sound of occasional gunfire. | |
| Asker sokağa çıktı: Bu gece dakika dakika neler yaşandı? ➤ https://t.co/s5yudEk71P pic.twitter.com/tMIBWTCzOi | |
| One witness has told CNN that as many as 1,000 people are now at the airport, some of whom have gained access to the tarmac. Turkey’s DHA TV network has broadcast images of hundreds of men surrounding a military vehicle, chanting, shouting and occasionally hurling missiles and punches at military personnel, who are taking shelter behind riot shields. Others show crowds seemingly cheering men in military fatigues. | |
| 12.17am BST | 12.17am BST |
| 00:17 | 00:17 |
| Obama: support democratically elected government | 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 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. | 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 | Tonight, @POTUS spoke with Secretary of State @JohnKerry about the ongoing situation in Turkey. pic.twitter.com/dcNGE0lJiN |
| 12.11am BST | 12.11am BST |
| 00:11 | 00:11 |
| 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. | 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 | 12.05am BST |
| 00:05 | 00:05 |
| 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”. | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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 | Former #Turkey PM @Ahmet_Davutoglu urges civilians to come out on the streets against #TurkeyCoup on @AJEnglish pic.twitter.com/kaYgKLPLrg |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.16am BST | at 12.16am BST |
| 11.48pm BST | 11.48pm BST |
| 23:48 | 23:48 |
| 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 BST | 11.42pm BST |
| 23:42 | 23:42 |
| 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/De1c20pmrz | New Emergency Message for US citizens in #Turkey pic.twitter.com/De1c20pmrz |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.48pm BST | at 11.48pm BST |
| 11.36pm BST | 11.36pm BST |
| 23:36 | 23:36 |
| Tanks open fire - reports | Tanks open fire - reports |
| Alan Yuhas | Alan 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/hucBFou1Vf | Police 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/gE0eMQj58P | DURUM| Tankların üstünde siviller var, askerlere müdahale ediliyor pic.twitter.com/gE0eMQj58P |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.47pm BST | at 11.47pm BST |
| 11.29pm BST | 11.29pm BST |
| 23:29 | 23:29 |
| Paul Lewis | Paul 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.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.32pm BST | at 11.32pm BST |
| 11.25pm BST | 11.25pm BST |
| 23:25 | 23:25 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| Sam Levin | Sam Levin |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.35pm BST | at 11.35pm BST |
| 11.11pm BST | 11.11pm BST |
| 23:11 | 23:11 |
| 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/MOl43YZhRP | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan FaceTimes with TV station, says uprising will be unsuccessful https://t.co/MOl43YZhRP |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.29pm BST | at 11.29pm BST |
| 11.07pm BST | 11.07pm BST |
| 23:07 | 23:07 |
| Erdoğan statement on FaceTime | Erdoğan statement on FaceTime |
| Alan Yuhas | Alan 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/cLVxL20fSg | 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.” | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.29pm BST | at 11.29pm BST |
| 10.59pm BST | 10.59pm BST |
| 22:59 | 22:59 |
| 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 advice | Very concerned by events unfolding in #Turkey. Our Embassy is monitoring the situation closely. Brits should follow FCO website for advice |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.29pm BST | at 11.29pm BST |
| 10.53pm BST | 10.53pm BST |
| 22:53 | 22:53 |
| Patrick Kingsley | 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.” | 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 BST | 10.52pm BST |
| 22:52 | 22:52 |
| BREAKING Turkish President Erdoğan blames #Gulenist network & calls on public to go to public squares and airports. pic.twitter.com/vmQlYLyv35 | BREAKING Turkish President Erdoğan blames #Gulenist network & calls on public to go to public squares and airports. pic.twitter.com/vmQlYLyv35 |