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Turkey 'coup': explosion and gunfire reported in capital Ankara
Military jets have been seen flying low over the city as major bridges in Istanbul have been closed
An attempted coup is being staged in Turkey as the military claims it has seized control of the country.
In the last hour gunfire was reported in the Turkish capital Ankara as military jets were seen flying overhead.
At the same time it has been reported that Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge have been closed.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said those responsible for what he described as an attempted coup by a faction within the military would pay the highest price.
He says they would not be allowed to do anything to interrupt democracy.
Turkish State News reports hostage situation
'Four' explosions heard in Ankara
— Diego Cupolo (@DiegoCupolo) July 15, 2016
Reports suggest that several explosions have rocked the city of Ankara. Earlier images surfaced of a huge plume of black smoke rising above the skyline and several witnesses on Twitter report hearing explosions.
Groups of protestors against the military are gathering and increasing in size, it is believed.
President doesn't believe coup attempt will succeed
Turkey’s president has urged citizens to take to the streets in a show of support for the government after the military said it seized full control of the country.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking to CNN-Turk through FaceTime, called the actions by the military “an attempt at an uprising by a minority within our armed forces”.
The president’s office refused to disclose Mr Erdogan’s whereabouts, saying he was at a secure location.
Mr Erdogan said: “I don’t believe this coup attempt will be successful.
“There is absolutely no chain of command here. Right now the chain of command has been put on hold.”
Turkey army says it seizes power; Erdogan says 'We will overcome this': reut.rs/29ZwN3w
Footage shows tank swerving to avoid protestors carrying Turkish flag
Watch: Tank driving across deserted Istanbul bridge swerves to avoid protesters holding a Turkish flag https://t.co/wpFq9Q2iev— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 15, 2016
Footage showing a tank narrowly avoid protestors on a bridge in Istanbul has surfaced.
Earlier Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said those responsible for what he described as an attempted coup by a faction within the military would pay the highest price and President Erdogan urged people to fight back against the military coup.
Reports suggest clashes between police and the army are ongoing
UK journalist describes clashes between police and army
Dorian Jones a British journalist based in Istanbul said:
“Tanks are seen in the streets. There are reports of clashes between the police and the army,” he told Sky News, adding there were also reports that police guarding the presidential palace had been disarmed.
“I have been speaking to various friends across the city, some are reporting that they are hearing gunfire in the streets.”
“Tanks are seen in the streets. There are reports of clashes between the police and the army,” he told Sky News, adding there were also reports that police guarding the presidential palace had been disarmed.
“I have been speaking to various friends across the city, some are reporting that they are hearing gunfire in the streets.”
Brit on holiday in Istanbul describes heavy military presence
Gabriel Turner, 23, a management consultant from north London, is on holiday in Istanbul and described how there had been heavy police and security presence throughout the day before the military coup got underway after sunset.
He told reporters: “Earlier today there were police everywhere. I thought that was normal but the two Turkish girls I was with told me it wasn’t normal. We were walking around the centre of Istanbul, at the Grand Bazaar there were police at every entrance and exit with lots of guns.
“A police helicopter was flying very low at sunset, it was about 8pm. It looked like it was searching for something. Later on, at about 10.30 I was in Karakoy, a bar area in the city centre and everyone started looking at their phones. A man who owns the bar told us that the army are taking over everything.
“Then we walked down towards the a quieter area by the sea. While we were walking, my friend said the army had closed brides across the Bosphorus. We could see army helicopters in the sky.
“We went inside a cafe and everyone was on their phones looking worried, texting. Lots of people were running to catch a ferry - because the bridges were shutting and people wanted to get home. Then policemen came out of the ferries on their walkie talkies, looking very alert.”
He told reporters: “Earlier today there were police everywhere. I thought that was normal but the two Turkish girls I was with told me it wasn’t normal. We were walking around the centre of Istanbul, at the Grand Bazaar there were police at every entrance and exit with lots of guns.
“A police helicopter was flying very low at sunset, it was about 8pm. It looked like it was searching for something. Later on, at about 10.30 I was in Karakoy, a bar area in the city centre and everyone started looking at their phones. A man who owns the bar told us that the army are taking over everything.
“Then we walked down towards the a quieter area by the sea. While we were walking, my friend said the army had closed brides across the Bosphorus. We could see army helicopters in the sky.
“We went inside a cafe and everyone was on their phones looking worried, texting. Lots of people were running to catch a ferry - because the bridges were shutting and people wanted to get home. Then policemen came out of the ferries on their walkie talkies, looking very alert.”
Growing crowd chanting against military in Taksim square
Growing groups chanting against military in Istanbul’s taksim square. pic.twitter.com/VttTlRpNt7— William Armstrong (@WJ_Armstrong) July 15, 2016
Footage shows a group of people reportedly chanting against the military in Istanbul’s Taksim square. President Erogan earlier called for people to take to the streets and fight back.
State broadcaster now taken off air
Turkish state broadcaster TRT has now been taken off the air, after an announcer read a statement from the military saying it had taken over the government in a coup.
Meanwhile EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said she was in contact with the European Union’s delegation in Ankara and called for calm in Turkey. “In constant contact with EU delegation in Ankara and Brussels from Mongolia,” Mogherini tweeted from the venue of an EU-Asia summit.
“Call for restraint and respect for democratic institutions.”
Reports people 'pouring onto streets'
UPDATE —Turkish citizens reacting to coup attempt begin pouring onto streets across Turkey https://t.co/1JCtBz38URpic.twitter.com/RsFSh5krAT— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) July 15, 2016
Guardian journalist Ghaith Abdul-Ahad is in Istanbul :“Restaurants and shops are closing, something 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.”
Image of smoke plume after reports of explosion in Ankara
Fire fights increasing in #Ankara. Reports of shots being exchanged near parliament building. #TRT Turkish Television taken down.#Turkey— Diego Cupolo (@DiegoCupolo) July 15, 2016
Turkish based journalist Diego Cupolo has tweeted reports of shots fired near the parliament building in Ankara.
There are also unconfirmed reports coming in of an explosion in the Turkish capital along with a troubling image of a large mass of smoke over the Ankara skyline
BREAKING PHOTO shows fumes from blast in #Ankara (photo via@saridalli) https://t.co/FV28YXoPjv #MilitaryCouppic.twitter.com/Nhx282wyz8— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) July 15, 2016
Flights are being redirected away from Turkey
Flights to Turkey are being redirected since the coup was announced.
Anyone from the UK who was due to land in the troubled country tonight is now unlikely to do so.
Reportedly only Turkish Airlines flights are landing.
A British Airways flight to Istanbul has diverted to Sofia and a Lufthansa flight to Istanbul is returning to its origin in Frankfurt, company spokeswomen told Reuters.
UPDATE A lot of flights to Turkey are diverting. Only Turkish Airlines aircraft still landing in Istanbul ift.tt/29V4vsA
Map helps explain situation right now
This map should help explain the geography of the situation right now.
Most of the reports are coming from the capital Anakara, which is around 450 miles to the south east of Istanbul.
Ankara is the capital but Istanbul is a hugely popular destination in its own right.
Reports of people 'stocking up' on supplies and attempting to withdraw large amounts of cash from ATMS
Hearing people stocking up on supplies, heading ATMs in #Istanbulwhile AKP members are out chanting and shouting. #Turkeycoup— Tim Pool (@Timcast) July 15, 2016
Several reports of people ‘stocking up’ on supplies and attempting to withdraw large amounts of cash from ATMS are emerging.
Ruling party ATK supporters have also been seen on the street chanting after President Erdogan’s call for people to take to the streets
President Erdogan appears on CNN via phone
In bizarre scenes the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has appeared on CNN Turk via a presenter’s video phone blaming a “parallel state” for the coup attempt.
He said people must gather in public squares to show their response to the attempted military takeover, in comments broadcast live on television.
Erdogan said he believed the attempted coup would be over within a “short time” and said those responsible would pay a heavy price in the courts.
The “parallel structure” is shorthand for followers of Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Muslim cleric who he has repeatedly accused of attempting to foment an uprising among his followers in the judiciary and the military.
The president appears to be using Skype or FaceTime and has already appeared on another news channel to give a similar interview.
Social network use is being restricted
Access has been restricted in Turkey to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube shortly after news that a military coup was under way, according to two internet monitoring groups.
Turkey Blocks, a group that monitors internet shutdowns in the country, and Dyn, which monitors internet performance and traffic globally, both reported it was difficult or impossible to access social media services in Turkey.
The government normally implements its internet restrictions through orders to Turkey’s main internet service providers.
Obama is being briefed
US President Barack Obama has been briefed on what the White House called “the unfolding situation” in Turkey.
“The president’s national security team has apprised him of the unfolding situation in Turkey,” Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said in a statement.
“The president will continue to receive regular updates,” Price said.
Erdogan may be held 'at naval base'
A former Turkish MP has suggested on twitter that the president has been taken to a secret location. He speculated that it may be a naval base and that he would have protection.
A Turkish presidential source has insisted Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish government are still in power.
Coup attempt 'is substantial' EU source claims
A coup attempt in Turkey involves a substantial part of the military and “not just a few colonels”, a European Union source said.
“It looks like a relatively well orchestrated coup by a substantial body of the military, not just a few colonels,” the source told Reuters.
“They’ve got control of the airports and are expecting control over the TV station imminently,” the source said, shortly before state television TRT broadcast a military declaration of martial law.
“They control several strategic points in Istanbul. Given the scale of the operation, it is difficult to imagine they will stop short of prevailing,” the source said.
Another European diplomat said he was attending a dinner with the Turkish ambassador in a European capital when they were interrupted by messages on their mobile phones.
“This is clearly not some tinpot little coup. The Turkish ambassador was clearly shocked and is taking it very seriously,” the diplomat told Reuters as the dinner party broke up.
Pictures of police being detained by soldiers
Turkish security officers have been pictured detaining Turkish police officers, seen in black, in Istanbul.
Meanwhile a Turkish presidential source has insisted Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish government are still in power.
They will not tolerate attempts to undermine democracy, the source added.
'Peace council' now running the country according to statement on state TV
State broadcaster TRT has read out a statement on orders of the military.
It said that the “democratic and secular rule of law has been eroded by current government” and added that the country was now run by a “peace council” who will “ensure safety of the population.”
President Erdogan may have fled country
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is safe, a presidential source has said, adding that the military’s statement was not authorised by the military command.
The source also urged the world to ‘stand in solidarity’ with the Turkish people.
However, there also unconfirmed reports that Erdogan has ‘fled on a private jet’.
Video of tank rolling through street
The video footage below shows a tank rolling through the streets of Istanbul.
Although the internet has reportedly been cut in parts of the country and curbs have been put on social media like Facebook, it seems people are still managing to tweet footage.
It is believed they may be using VPNs to get round the problem.
Live stream from Habertürk TV showing scenes from the#TurkishCoup, tracked military vehicles in the streets:youtu.be/SbmktGjjIcI
Secretary of State John Kerry speaks out on the coup
US Secretary of State John Kerry has said he has “Heard the reports that others have heard” but added, “I don’t have any details at this point.”
The Government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is believed to have made enemies with the military following a series of Islamist policies.
The military in Turkey sees itself as the defender of the country’s secular traditions, and generals have been critical of Erdogan’s policies.
"People screaming" amidst "gunfire" in Ankara
Turkey based journalist Diego Cupolo has tweeted: “Sound of heavy artillery being fired in #Ankara. People screaming. 2 military buses at national TV station.”
He also reports gunfire exchanges between police and military.
These reports have not yet been verified but the military have confirmed they are ‘taking control’ of the country.
Reports have come in that the Turkish chief of staff has been taken ‘hostage’.
The State news channel reports Hulusi Akar has been taken hostage by the army.
The military has issued a statement saying it has taken over. They say all existing foreign relations will continue.
“The rule of law must remain a priority,” they added.
What we know so far
An attempted military coup is underway in Turkey, according to the nation’s prime minister.
Gunfire has been reported in the Turkish capitol Ankara as military jets have been seen flying over Turkish capital.
Witnesses have also said they have seen helicopters above the city.
Click below for the full story.
'Gunfire' heard in Ankara
Amateur footage appears to have picked up the sound of gunfire in the distance from a residential area of Ankara.
Helikopterden ateş açılmasına dair paylaşılan görüntünün Ankara’dan olduğu iddia ediliyor. pic.twitter.com/3tHm6hMsgV— 140journos (@140journos) July 15, 2016
Several reports of gunfire explosions in the capitol Ankara have emerged and military jets have been seen flying low.
Mayor of Ankara calls people out to the streets despite 'military curfew'
“@06JAnk: Mayor of Ankara calls for “everyone to the streets”: not necessarily good advice. https://t.co/BAYBh6s2Tf” Why?— Carles Flores (@FloresCarles) July 15, 2016
The mayor of Ankara has reportedly called people out into the streets in defiance of a curfew, suggesting trouble could erupt imminently.
The mayor of the capital tweeted for residents to ‘hit the street’.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said those responsible for what he described as an attempted coup by a faction within the military would pay the highest price.
State Tv 'shut down' as coup underway
BREAKING NEWS: THE TURKISH STATE TV IS NOW SHUT DOWN.— Breaking News Feed (@pzf) July 15, 2016
Journalists are urging Turkish people to use alternative means to get out information from the country.
To those in #Turkey please download TOR or use a VPN. Seeing videos of users having their social media go down.— Tim Pool (@Timcast) July 15, 2016
The Turkish Prime Minister is claiming that a military coup is being attempted in the country tonight.
Turkish military says it has taken over
The Turkish military has issued a statement saying it has taken over.
The military says all existing foreign relations will continue.
“The rule of law must remain a priority,” they added.
Internet 'blocked' in Turkey
Reports are coming in that the Internet has been closed down in Turkey as a military coup gets underway.
Video reportedly shows Turkish soldiers telling member of the public to go home, they have gained control of the country.
Prime Minister threatens those involved 'will pay the highest price'
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said those responsible for what he described as an attempted coup by a faction within the military would pay the highest price.
He says they would not be allowed to do anything to interrupt democracy.
“Some people illegally undertook an illegal action outside of the chain of command,” Yildirim said in comments broadcast by private channel NTV.
“The government elected by the people remains in charge. This government will only go when the people say so.”
Tanks seen at Istanbul airport
Military tanks are outside Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport tonight.
The Aiport was the scene of an Isis terrorist attack just weeks ago.
Bridges in the city are also reported to be closed.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport. pic.twitter.com/qffb7xAflh— Gilgo (@agirecudi) July 15, 2016
Embassies in country post advice for concerned relatives on Twitter
Irish Embassy in Ankara monitoring unfolding situation closely. Anyone with consular concerns about a relative or friend phone 01-4082000— Downtown Radio News (@newsondowntown) July 15, 2016
The Irish embassy is reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
— Liz Cookman (@Lizonomy) July 15, 2016
'Internet in Ankara has been cut'
There are reports that the internet in Ankara has been cut.
British journalist Liz Cookman says she is in the embassy in the capitol and that there are rumours of a coup.
Writing on Twitter as events unfold, she said: “Rumour is a shooting at the General staff in Ankara. Source says a coup - not sure the truth in that.
“Embassy staff saying ‘serious’. Multiple sources saying coup.
“Official UNHCR email to my friend who works there says “coup ongoing” go home immediately.”
Turkish lira plummets in value as 'coup' gets underway in country
BREAKING: Turkish Lira plummets vs. Dollar as reports of gunfire, jets flying over Ankara https://t.co/2QNdU7DOo5pic.twitter.com/BwvlHwBjZX— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) July 15, 2016
American media has reported a steep drop in the value of the Turkish Lira against the dollar as the incident unfolds.
The Turkish Prime Minister is claiming that a military coup is being attempted in the country tonight.
There have been reports of gunfire and explosions in the capitol Ankara and military jets have been seen flying low.
Soldiers clear streets enforcing 'curfew'
Footage purportedly from Istanbul appears to show soldiers shouting “Everybody go home, there is a curfew” as cars drive over a bridge.
Other reports suggest soliders are saying: “This is not a practice”.
Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge are both reported to be closed.
Video from Istanbul bridge. Soldiers shout at passing cars “There is curfew, everybody go home.” pic.twitter.com/8T2JeK5iTo— Gilgo (@agirecudi) July 15, 2016
Vide footage of low flight jet
This footage posted online reportedly shows a military jet flying low over Ankara.
Military vehicles are blocking bridges in Istanbul, according to Reuters.
This dramatic situation is developing now and we will bring you updates as soon as possible.
Turkish PM claims that a military coup is being attempted
The Turkish Prime Minister is claiming that a military coup is being attempted in the country tonight.
There have been reports of gunfire and explosions in the capital Ankara and military jets have been seen flying low.
Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge were both closed today, local television channels reported, without giving a reason.
Dogan News Agency footage showed cars and buses being diverted.
CNN Turkey showed two military vehicles and a group of soldiers lined up at the entrance of one of the bridges in Turkey’s biggest city.
A Turkish official who did not want to be named said soldiers had been deployed in other cities in Turkey, but did not specify which ones.
Dogan News Agency reported the national police directorate summoned all police to duty in Ankara.
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