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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Turkey coup attempt: thousands take to streets to oppose military – live updates | Turkey coup attempt: thousands take to streets to oppose military – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.02am BST | |
| 02:02 | |
| Ghaith Abdul-Ahad | |
| The Guardian’s Ghaith Abdul-Ahad has filed this report from Istanbul: | |
| As news of the attempted coup unfolded, chaos and panic erupted in Istiklal, Istanbul’s main pedestrian thoroughfare. People ran in different directions, some away from the street and some into the streets. Restaurant owners gathered tables inside and pulled down shutters.In Taksim sqaure at one end of Istiklal – where the country’s coups were made and unmade in the past 50 years – a group of soldiers, young in green helmets, rifles and military fatigues, stood blocking the square. | |
| Mohamad, a 30-year-old office worker, stood watching the soldiers, dressed in a white shirt and blue slacks. “Turkey has regressed in the past few years under [president] Erdoğan, and the army came out to restore the balance that’s the traditional role of the army here.” | |
| Gradually, another crowd opposed to the army gathered, pushing to the centre of the square, chanting “Army get out” and “no for the coup”. A shouting match between the two sides followed, and soon after the president called for his supporters to take to the streets, thousands flooded the square. | |
| “I don’t support Erdoğan, but I don’t want the military to take away our democracy,” said Najdat, a 50 year old government functionary. “We have seen them before, and we have waited for democracy for 30 years.” | |
| 1.50am BST | |
| 01:50 | |
| Soldiers enter CNN Türk studio | |
| A group of soldiers has landed in the Dogan Media Center where CNN Türk is based, the news station is now reporting. | |
| A Facebook Live video showed the chaos inside. | |
| BREAKING A group of soldiers landed in Dogan Media Center where @cnnturk is based. They have entered the studio. pic.twitter.com/D2QMF6s8Xt | |
| BREAKING Coup plotters are ending @cnnturk's broadcast now. #TurkeyCoupAttempt pic.twitter.com/YFUrphgFbX | |
| There are also reports of the Hurriyet Daily News facing soldiers. The CNN building is also home to Kanal D television, the Dogan news agency and the Hurriyet paper, according to the Associated Press. | |
| A group of putschist soldiers are now raiding our newspaper. They are coming to my floor pic.twitter.com/1OPlb74tqe | |
| Sorry for the poor pic quality but it's hard when you are mass-arrested during a coup attempt... pic.twitter.com/TwUC6Yqi71 | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.53am BST | |
| 1.41am BST | |
| 01:41 | |
| Erdoğan's plane landing in Istanbul, official says | |
| Reuters and others report that president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s plane is landing in Istanbul: | |
| BREAKING: Turkish official says Erdogan's plane landing in Istanbul https://t.co/Ki7gqHaqLl pic.twitter.com/RSJelsDVs1 | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.54am BST | |
| 1.23am BST | 1.23am BST |
| 01:23 | 01:23 |
| Turkish official: coup has been 'repelled' | Turkish official: coup has been 'repelled' |
| A Turkish national intelligence spokesman has claimed that the coup has been “repelled”, amid a concerted effort by both the government and military to portray the sense that their respective side is in power. | A Turkish national intelligence spokesman has claimed that the coup has been “repelled”, amid a concerted effort by both the government and military to portray the sense that their respective side is in power. |
| According to the Associated Press, government officials, including president Recep Erdoğan, have tried to play down reports that the military is in control. | According to the Associated Press, government officials, including president Recep Erdoğan, have tried to play down reports that the military is in control. |
| At the same time, Gen Zekai Aksakalli, the commander of Turkey’s military special forces, said that “those who are attempting a coup will not succeed”. He told NTV television: | At the same time, Gen Zekai Aksakalli, the commander of Turkey’s military special forces, said that “those who are attempting a coup will not succeed”. He told NTV television: |
| Our people should know that we will overcome this ... We are in control of the situation. | Our people should know that we will overcome this ... We are in control of the situation. |
| He also said some deaths and injuries were reported during the coup attempt, without providing any details. | He also said some deaths and injuries were reported during the coup attempt, without providing any details. |
| Turkish media reports have also reported that MIT, the national intelligence agency, as saying the coup has been defeated, according to the Associated Press. | Turkish media reports have also reported that MIT, the national intelligence agency, as saying the coup has been defeated, according to the Associated Press. |
| Live video from the streets of Istanbul and Ankara suggests that the situation remains fluid and chaotic. | Live video from the streets of Istanbul and Ankara suggests that the situation remains fluid and chaotic. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.34am BST | at 1.34am BST |
| 1.03am BST | 1.03am BST |
| 01:03 | 01:03 |
| Social media may be blocked | Social media may be blocked |
| Julia Carrie Wong | 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 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. | 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 | 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. | 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: | 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 | Related: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube may be blocked in Turkey amid coup attempt |
| 12.57am BST | 12.57am BST |
| 00:57 | 00:57 |
| Bomb hits Turkish parliament – reports | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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 | BEŞİKTAŞ'TA PATLAMAhttps://t.co/QRLWhMEOfI https://t.co/kxp5UTkWYc |
| 12.46am BST | 12.46am BST |
| 00:46 | 00:46 |
| Nato chief: "full respect" for Turkish government | 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: | 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. | 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.” | 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 | 12.40am BST |
| 00:40 | 00:40 |
| Analysis: how a coup could destabilize a western ally | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | Read the full story here: |
| Related: Turkey coup attempt could destabilize ally in region reeling from terrorism | Related: Turkey coup attempt could destabilize ally in region reeling from terrorism |
| 12.30am BST | 12.30am BST |
| 00:30 | 00:30 |
| Paul Lewis | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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 |