Military coup d'etat underway in Turkey

A group within Turkey's military has attempted to overthrow the government and security forces have been called in to "do what is necessary", Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Friday.

"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."Those behind the attempted coup would pay the highest price, he added.

The Turkish military released a statement that the military had taken over in the name of democratic order, adding that all existing foreign relations will continue and human rights will remain.

NTV also showed footage at tanks at the entrance of Istanbul's Ataturk airport.

Gunshots were heard in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Friday, a Reuters witness said, as military jets and helicopters were seen flying overhead.

Reuters witnesses in Istanbul, Turkey's biggest city, also spotted military jets and helicopters overhead, as well as tanks in the streets.

Broadcaster NTV reported that both of Istanbul's bridges across the Bosphorus, the strait separating the European and Asian sides of the city, had been closed to traffic.

Users on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter were reporting difficulties in accessing the platforms.

The events follow increased security on the streets in recent days.  

Military detain some policemen by the roadside

 

Credit: Haaretz