Thousands of arrests within Turkey's military and judiciary have been made following a failed coup attempt staged by a faction of the country's army on Friday night. Some 300 people were killed in the attempt, which involved aircraft, bombs and tanks.
20 July 2016
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US leader Barack Obama discussed the extradition of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen in a telephone call.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama made clear to Erdogan that "the United States doesn't support terrorists. The United States doesn't support individuals who conspire to overthrow democratically elected governments. The United States follows the rule of law."
The spokesman added that materials related to the extradition of the cleric were submitted to US authorities by the Turkish government. US authorities are now reviewing the documents to see if Gulen can be sent to Turkey based on an extradition treaty between Washington and Ankara.
A group of UN judiciary and human rights experts called on Ankara to respect human rights in the country as the government continues its crackdown on opposition and mulls the reintroduction of the death penalty.
“In times of crisis, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is more essential than ever,” the conglomerate noted in a joint statement. “We call on the Turkish government to fully respect the rights of the detainees, in particular their right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty and to have effective access to a lawyer of their choice.”
The group which includes the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, the UN Special Rapporteur on summary or arbitrary executions, and the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in particular spoke out against the crackdown on the judiciary.
“We are particularly alarmed at the sheer number of judges and prosecutors who have reportedly been suspended and arrested since Saturday,” the experts stressed in the statement. “According to international law, judges can be suspended or removed only on serious grounds of misconduct or incompetence after fair proceedings.”
19 July 2016
The 47-member Council of Europe (CoE) has urged Turkish authorities to wind down the scale of repressions following the failed military takeover.
“The best response to an attempt to destabilize democracy is to respect democratic institutions and the rule of law," said Marina Kaljurand, chair of the CoE's Committee of Ministers and Estonia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, calling on the Turkish government to “abide by the constitutional order.”
Kaljurand stressed that Ankara, being a CoE member country is obliged by “commitments” to ensure the “right to life, which has to be protected in all circumstances, and the right to a fair trial.”
Washington has stressed the importance of Turkey's Incirlik Air Base in the campaign against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in Syria and Iraq, that has been suffering operational shortcomings following the failed coup attempt. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter discussed the matter with thr Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Isik, Pentagon said.
Turkey cut off external electricity to the base at early on Saturday. The US is now relying partly on its own power generation to keep the base going. In the wake of the coup, Turkey also closed airspace around Incirlik, temporarily halting sorties against the Islamic State terror group in Iraq and Syria. Operations resumed Sunday.
The Pentagon added that Isik has expressed “regret” over not being able to fly to Washington to attend a key meeting of the global coalition fighting IS. Dozens of top military officials from the US-based anti-terror coalition will meet Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to discuss the two-year-old mission to oust Islamic State jihadists from Iraq and Syria.
An exiled Turkish preacher, Fethullah Gulen, who has long been living in the US, has asked Washington to reject any of Ankara's requests to extradite him.
In a statement released Tuesday by a group associated with the cleric, the Alliance for Shared Values, Gulen said that he "urge[d] the US government to reject any effort to abuse the extradition process to carry out political vendettas," Reuters reported.
In the wake of the attempted military coup against President Erdogan Turkey has dismissed General Galip Mendim who commanded the Turkish Gendarmerie, Anadolu Agency reported.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein called on Turkey to stick to the rule of law, obey human rights and strengthen democratic institutions while bringing to justice the plotters of the attempted coup.
“I urge the government of Turkey to respond by upholding the rule of law, by strengthening the protection of human rights and by reinforcing democratic institutions,” Zeid said in a statement.
“Those responsible for the violence must be brought to justice with full respect for fair trial standards,” he said, also stressing the importance of transparency in the administration of justice.
“Turkish authorities are obliged to investigate all reports of violence, regardless of the political leanings of the alleged perpetrators,” he said.
Turkey's lira weakened beyond 3 to the U.S. dollar on Tuesday after state broadcaster TRT reported the education board had demanded the resignation of all deans working in universities, widening concern about the reach of a government crackdown.
The lira was at 3.0060 to the dollar at 1411 GMT, around 1 percent weaker on the day, with traders citing concern about the purge in the higher education sector. (Reuters)
Turkey's High Education Board on Tuesday ordered the resignation of 1,577 deans at all universities, state broadcaster TRT reported, part of a wide-ranging purge of dozens of state institutions following a failed coup attempt.
The resignations are being sought at both state and privately run universities, TRT reported. (Reuters)
Turkey's education ministry has revoked the licences of 21,000 teachers working in private institutions, an official at the ministry told Reuters on Tuesday, part of an expanding government crackdown following a failed coup attempt.
"The licences of 21,000 teachers working in privately-run institutions have been cancelled. Tip-offs that these (people) are mostly linked with terrorist activities have been taken into consideration," the ministry official said, without elaborating. (Reuters)
Reportedly over 15,200 teachers have been suspended from their jobs over allegations of ties with those organizing the coup. On Monday, Turkey’s Board of Higher Education (YÖK) issued a joint statement calling to remove adherents of cleric Fethullah Gulen from their ranks, accusing them of being responsible for the coup.
“Universities and the entire academic body condemn this bloody assault on Turkey's democratic system. This was an illegal attempt to seize power by a network of terrorists that the president and the government sought to weed out from the state's structure,” the Daily Sabah newspaper quoted the joint statement.
Altogether 24 Turkish media outlets have been stripped of broadcasting licenses, reports the nation’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK). The list of banned mass media includes: STV, Samanyolu Haber, Samanyolu Haber Radyo, Can Erzincan TV, Kanal 124, Yumurcak TV, Hira TV, MC TV, Dünya TV, Kanal Türk, Bugün TV, Mehtap TV, Berfin FM, Kanal Türk Radyo, Burç FM, Samanyolu Haber Radyosu, Radyo Mehtap, Haber Radyo Ege, Dünya Radyo, Radyo Küre, Merkür TV, Esra Radyo, Tuna Shoping TV, Samanyolu Haber Radyo Anadolu.
Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) broadcasting watchdog has cancelled the licenses of all radio and television stations allegedly linked to the Hizmet (Service) movement founded by Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Turkish authorities have accused Gulen of being directly involved in preparing the military power seizure attempted on July 15. The cleric, currently living in exile in the US, has denied the allegations, declaring he had nothing to do with the attempted coup.
The Turkish government remained unaware of the coup until the attempted seizure of power was already underway, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Tuesday. Kurtulmus’s statement contradicts a previous claim by the Turkish Army’s General Staff, which alleged it received intelligence about the beginning of the coup at 4pm local time (13:00 GMT) on July 15, when it claims it immediately alerted the relevant authorities. Two bridges across the Bosporus Straight in Istanbul were blocked at about 10:30pm the same day. There are 9,322 people currently facing legal proceedings in relation to the failed coup, Reuters cited Kurtulmus as saying to reporters.
About 100 employees of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization have been suspended from work over alleged ties to the coup of July 15, reports Haber Turk newspaper.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Air Force adviser, Lt. Col. Erkan Kivrak, has been detained while on vacation and transferred to Ankara, Anadolu news agency reports. The adviser was arrested at a hotel in the Serik district of Turkey's southern province of Antalya, the Associated Press reports.
Turkey’s top Islamic authority, the Religious Affairs Directorate, or Diyanet, has seen 492 staff fired over suspected involvement in the failed coup, the Diyanet said in a statement issued Tuesday. The Diyanet employs over 100,000 personnel, Reuters reports.
The office of the Turkish prime minister has removed from duty 257 staff suspected of being linked to the failed coup on July 15, Reuters cites a source in the PM’s team as saying Tuesday. The number of those suspended from duty in the PM’s office has reached 10 percent of the estimated 2,600 total personnel of Prime Minister Binali Yildirim’s staff.
Turkey's nationalist opposition leader has promised to support any government move to reinstate the death penalty, Reuters reported.
"If the [ruling] AK Party is ready on the issue of the death penalty, so are we," Devlet Bahceli, head of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), told his lawmakers.
Earlier German government spokesman Steffen Seiber warned that reinstating the death penalty in Turkey would end EU accession talks. EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini also noted that no country that uses capital punishment can become an EU member.
Following thorough questioning, a Turkish court has released one of the dozens of generals arrested over last week’s failed coup attempt. The Commander of the18th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Ismail Gurgen, was released pending trial late Monday, Turkish media reported.
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the National Security Council will meet Wednesday in the aftermath of the failed coup.
After the meeting the Council of Ministers will “announce an important decision,” Erdogan said, state news agency Anadolu reported.
“I will not tell you now," about the important decision, Erdogan said but “we will hopefully overcome this process one way or another. Now, efforts are going on in a very good way.”
The American ambassador to Turkey, John Bass, refuted claims circulating online which accused him of sympathizing with the alleged coup leader, Fetullah Gulen.
“I am aware that false words, attributed to me, are currently being circulated on social media, largely by users who appear to be sympathetic to Fetullah Gulen, suggesting a lack of respect for Turkey’s democratically elected government,” the Ambassador said in a statement.
"That purported statement is an absolute fabrication that appears designed to heighten tension between the United States and Turkey and undermine Turkey’s security,” he added.
Bass also refuted any American involvement in orchestrating the power take-down attempt on Friday, calling such reports “categorically untrue,”“speculation” and “harmful” to Turkish American relations.
“I reject the narrative that suggests the United States is trying to undermine Turkish security and prevent Turkey from being a strong, successful country,” he said.
A Russian journalist, who was detained on Monday at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, faces deportation from Turkey, which will likely take place Tuesday. Earlier it was reported that all forms of communication with REN TV correspondent Valentin Trushnin had been cut off after he was detained by authorities for wanting to cover the failed military coup attempt.
According to the broadcaster, Trushin is now in the transit zone of the airport awaiting deportation, which could happen as early as 9:00am local time Tuesday. REN TV also said that according to its knowledge, the correspondent was detained because he was “blacklisted” by Turkey.
18 July 2016
Turkey is unlikely to be granted visa-free travel this year following the failed coup attempt, European Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said. The the draft law on ending visa requirements for Turks is being debated in the European Parliament.
“I predict that we won't have regulation on visa-free travel before the end of the year," said Oettinger, calling on Erdogan to address EU concerns over the rule of law in the country, as Turkey wants to introduce the death penalty.
"The death penalty is irreconcilable with our order of values and our treaties. No country can become a member state of the EU if it introduces the death penalty," Oettinger said.
Turkish authorities have allegedly detained two Turkish Air Force F-16 pilots that are believed to be responsible for shooting down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24M bomber near the Syria–Turkey border on November 24, 2015.
“Two Turkish pilots who shot down a Russian Su-24 near the Syrian border were taken into custody,” a high-level Turkish official speaking on condition of anonymity told Bloomberg.
One of the pilots allegedly involved in the attack on the Russian plane was reported to have participated in the failed military coup attempt last week.
WikiLeaks has announced it is set to release some 300,000 internal emails from Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
The Turkish embassy in Kuwait cannot confirm the arrest of the Turkish military attaché in Saudi Arabia, the head of the Turkish diplomatic mission, Salih Murat Tamer, told a press conference.
“It came to our knowledge that the attaché left Kuwait without notifying anyone,” the official noted.
The embassy found out about the arrest from social networks, which can neither confirm nor refute the news, Tamer said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has slammed EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn for suggesting that the lists of people now accused of involvement in the attempted coup had been “prepared” by Erdogan’s government before Friday events, “to be used at a certain stage.”
Taking to Twitter, Cavusoglu called the comments “unacceptable,” adding that Hahn “is far from thoroughly comprehending what is going on in Turkey.”
Former Turkish Air Force commander-in-chief General Akin Ozturk has confessed to plotting the failed coup, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency has reported.
Ozturk’s name had been mentioned earlier following the attempt by a faction of the military to seize power in Turkey. A senior Turkish official said there is evidence the ex-Air Force chief was among the “masterminds of the coup.”
He has also reportedly been linked to the movement of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, which is accused of masterminding the coup attempt by the Turkish authorities.
The Finance Ministry of Turkey has suspended 1,500 of its employees over suspected links with the network of US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who the Erdogan administration believes to have masterminded the recent failed military coup attempt, Reuters reports, citing a ministry official.
Ankara has suspended annual leave for Turkish officials until further notice, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in a statement published in Turkey’s official T.C. Resmi Gazete. Officials currently on business abroad are to come back “as soon as possible,” Yildirim also stated.
The US Consulate in Istanbul has warned American citizens to stay away due to demonstrations that are expected in its proximity in the wake of the attempted military coup last week, Reuters reports. On Twitter, some users called on anyone concerned to meet at the US Consulate on Monday at 2pm (1100 GMT). Turks have been marching and demonstrating in public places since Saturday morning to show support for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In addition, both the US Consulate and Embassy in the Turkish capital, Ankara, cancelled visa appointments scheduled for Monday citing “recent events,” the consulate’s Twitter account states.
Turkish prosecutors and several police have entered the Golcuk Naval Command where they are believed to have detained participants of the coup, Haber Turk is reporting.
Turkish soldiers that took part in the coup and subsequently fled to Greece “fear for their lives” if they are forced to return home, one of their lawyers said as they appeared in a Greek court, Reuters reports. The soldiers, who landed on Greek soil in a military helicopter, were arrested by Greek authorities.
Yildirim has also hit out at the United States for dragging its feet regarding a request from Ankara to extradite US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Turkey accuses of trying to overthrow the government.
"We would be disappointed if our (American) friends told us to present proof even though members of the assassin organisation are trying to destroy an elected government under the directions of that person," Yildirim said
His statement comes after US Secretary of State John Kerry called on Turkey to produce facts and not allegations regarding its claims against Gulen.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has called on Turkish citizens to continue a so called “democracy watch” in public areas and squares after they finish work in the evening.
US Secretary of State John Kerry says that Washington has a formal process that must be followed when dealing with extradition requests. He has called on Turkey to produce evidence against US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, rather than just allegations.
Germany and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini have both said that if Turkey decides to reinstate the death penalty, EU accession talks will come to an end. Mogherini went even further, stating that no country can become an EU member that legalizes the death penalty.
Almost 9,000 officials have been dismissed in the wake of the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish interior ministry has stated, as cited by AFP.
Turkey has temporarily suspended the operations of Bank Asya, an Islamic lender founded by followers of the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund has stated, as cited by Reuters.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to extradite Gulen from the US where he has been living for over a decade in self-imposed exile. Bank Asya is one of more than 20 companies related to Gulen that have been targeted in the government crackdown.
A Turkish soldier opened fire in front of Ankara’s main courthouse, a presidency official said, as cited by Reuters. He added that the gunman has been detained and no one has been hurt.
Conflicting reports from Turkish NTV channel claim the gunman was killed by security forces.
The gunman was reportedly firing from a passing car.
The former commander of Turkey’s air force, General Akin Ozturk, who is the suspected mastermind of last Friday’s failed coup attempt, is reportedly to be brought to the courthouse shortly.
Twenty-seven generals and admirals who had been brought in for questioning, including Ozturk, were in the courthouse at the time of the shooting, Hurriyet news reports.
Turkey has arrested a total of 103 generals and admirals in the wake of the failed coup, which tried to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, state media reported, as cited by AFP. The agency adds that leading military figures have been detained in what appears to be a major purge of the armed forces. The generals and admirals are now being taken to courts, where it will be decided if they should be held on remand in custody.
Up to 8,000 police officers have been removed from duty throughout Turkey, including in the capital of Istanbul, on allegations of being connected with the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regime, an unidentified senior security official told Reuters.
A state of emergency has been declared in Istanbul, with no less than 1,800 Special Forces deployed in the Turkish capital, the Anadolu agency reports, adding that additional special purpose hardware has been brought into the city. Police Chief Mustafa Calıskan has ordered that any helicopters present in Istanbul airspace without official permission from the authorities be shot down.
The string of arrests in Turkey is “exactly what we have feared,” the EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, told journalists on Monday. “There was a statement by [EU foreign policy chief Federica] Mogherini and myself immediately after the [attempted] coup d’etat and we already stated that we expect that the follow-up of this event should be along rule of law standards, international rule of law standards, and what we see it’s not really met,” Hahn said.
Fighter jets will constantly patrol Turkey’s skies at the order of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who called for the measure to ensure that the Air Force is in full control of the nation’s airspace, the Anadolu agency reported on Monday.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Monday that European foreign ministers are going to call on Ankara to comply with the rule of law when dealing with the aftermath of the failed coup. “Today, we will say together with the ministers that this obviously doesn’t mean that the rule of law and the system of checks and balances in the country does not count, on the contrary, it needs to be protected for the sake of the country itself,” Mogherini said on arriving at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
No less than 12 Turkish generals and one admiral have been detained on charges of being involved in the failed coup attempt, TASS cites Turkey’s Haberturk TV channel as reporting on Monday. The arrest warrants for the top brass were issued by the Istanbul Court last night, the TV channel reports.
Turkey's Deputy PM Mehmet Simsek says that "nothing has changed in the country. If something changed in Turkey, it is the strengthened democracy," Anadoulu news agency reports.
Turkish SWAT teams have reportedly entered the Air Force Academy in Istanbul.
A state of emergency was imposed in Istanbul and 1,800 additional special police forces have been deployed, the state Anadolu Agency reported.
READ MORE: Istanbul police ordered to down helicopters without warning; Erdogan sends F-16s to patrol airspace
Media reports cited by Sputnik said that President Erdogan’s plane has flown off from Istanbul and headed to Ankara.
The alert in Istanbul comes on the heels of another report by CNN Turk, which said that at least 42 military helicopters have gone missing during the coup turmoil. The report implied there might be another attempt to seize power by the coup plotters.
17 July 2016
General Bekir Ercan Van, the commander of Turkey’s Incirlik airbase, who was arrested for plotting the failed military coup in Turkey, has been denied asylum in the US, The New York Times reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.
General Bekir Ercan Van reportedly approached American officials asking for asylum, but was refused.
The Turkish military attache in Kuwait, Mikail Gullu, has been arrested in Saudi Arabia upon request from Turkey in connection with the failed coup, Al Arabiya reported on Sunday citing a Turkish official. The attache was reportedly taken into custody at an aiport, where he was about to depart for Amsterdam.
Addressing his supporters on Sunday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his intentions to possibly reintroduce capital punishment in the country following the attempted coup. Saying that he "cannot ignore" demands of the people, Erdogan said that his government would discuss the matter with opposition parties, Reuters reported.
Earlier on Saturday, while addressing mourners of the failed coup's victims, the president had said the death penalty would be discussed within the parliament, in response to the crowd which was chanting for the perpetrators to be executed.
The reintroduction of capital punishment, which was abolished in Turkey in 2004, has also been mentioned by the country’s prime minister, Binali Yildirim.
The attempted coup in Turkey was not just a "treacherous plot," but "a terrorist campaign," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday, as cited by TASS. Ankara accused those behind it of "shooting at [their] own people and stabbing in the back their own commanders," as well as of bombing parliamentary and presidential buildings. Claiming that the "vast majority" of the country's military had stood against the coup, the ministry also praised the Turkish people's "historical solidarity" in preventing the plotters' efforts to take over power.
Eleven military personnel have been detained at the Turkish Sabiha Gokcen international airport in Istanbul in connection with the attempted coup, Dogan news agency reported. Some of them first tried to resist law enforcement, which resulted in clashes and forced the authorities to open fire. They then reportedly surrendered to police, with no casualties reported from the scene.
Clashes between alleged plotters of the failed coup and security forces have erupted at an air base near the Turkish city of Konya in the Central Anatolia region, a Turkish official reported, adding that the latter have taken the situation under control, according to Reuters.
Warning shots have been fired by Turkish law enforcement near Istanbul’s second airport, Sabiha Gokcen, Reuters reported. Arrests are currently being made, an official told the news agency, adding that suspected coup plotters did not return fire.
All of the organizers of the failed military coup have been detained, according to a statement released on Sunday by Turkish army commanders, as cited by TASS. Turkish military officials have reportedly stated that most of the credit for thwarting the uprising belongs to the Turkish people.
Turkey’s Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, said on Sunday that an investigation into the soldiers and officers implicated in the attempted coup is in progress, while promising that the government would carry out a “cleansing operation” in the ranks of the army, Reuters reported.
A chief military assistant to president Erdogan is among those that have been detained on suspicion of involvement in the coup plot, CNN Turk reported as cited by Reuters.
Turkish authorities have taken back control of the country following the failed military coup, and life has gotten back to normal, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said during a television broadcast on Sunday, Reuters reported. The central bank and banking systems, as well as the stock exchange and capital market boards, have resumed normal operations, Yildirim also noted.
Some 6,000 people have been detained in connection with the failed military coup in Turkey, the country’s Justice Minister said, as cited by the local broadcaster NTV.
Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency says detention orders have been issued for 53 more judges and prosecutors while 52 military officers have been rounded up for their alleged roles in the failed coup. (AP)
The UN Security Council was reportedly unable to issue a US-drafted statement condemning the violence in Turkey following a failed coup attempt, after Egypt objected to a phrase calling on all parties to “respect the democratically elected government of Turkey,” Reuters quoted diplomats as saying.
“We proposed different language that respects democratic and constitutional principles but the Americans refused to engage,” Egyptian UN Ambassador Amr Aboulatta said.
The Egyptian side argued that the council was "in no position to qualify, or label that government – or any other government for that matter – as democratically elected or not," unnamed diplomats explained to Reuters.
Thousands of people have been rallying on Istanbul’s Taksim Square to celebrate the end of the attempted coup and in support of President Erdogan’s government.
Earlier, Erdogan spoke at an Istanbul rally, where he accused the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the coup and called on US President Barack Obama to extradite Gulen to Turkey.
READ MORE: ‘Turkey coup plotter’ Gulen: Failed uprising could have been ‘staged’ by Erdogan himself
16 July 2016
Claims of US involvement in Turkey’s failed coup hurt relations between the two countries, Secretary of State John Kerry has told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavosoglu, State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
Kerry also urged Turkey to follow the rule of law when investigating the attempted coup.
“He made clear that the United States would be willing to provide assistance to Turkish authorities conducting this investigation, but that public insinuations or claims about any role by the United States in the failed coup attempt are utterly false and harmful to our bilateral relations,” Kirby said.
The former commander of Turkey’s Air Forces, Akin Ozturk, has been detained and will face treason charges, Reuters reports, citing a Turkish official. Local media have named Ozturk as the likely leader of Friday night’s coup attempt in Ankara.
Turkish police have apprehended Alparslan Altan, a member of the Constitutional Court and most senior judicial official among the scores detained so far in the wake of the attempted military coup, CNN Turk reported.
Movement in and out of the Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey has been closed by local military authorities, according to the US consulate. The NATO base stores US tactical nuclear weapons.
Cooperation between Turkey's political parties will get a “new start” in the wake of the defeated coup attempt, Turkish Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, said at the parliament's emergency session, Reuters reported.
The PM, who was met with applause, promised that the usually fractious four main parties in the National Assembly will be able to find common ground.
During his address, Yildirim also said the coup plotters were not soldiers, but terrorists who had targeted the parliament.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took a plane from Istanbul to the country’s capital, Ankara, Anadolu news agency reported, adding that the Turkish leader had spent the night at a guesthouse at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport and visited his Kısıklı residence before departure.
The Turkish parliament convened in an emergency session following the failed coup attempt in the country, Daily Sabah reported.
The session started with a moment of silence to honor those killed by pro-coup soldiers and was followed by National Assembly speaker, Ismail Kahraman, as the MPs recited all ten verses of the Turkish national anthem.
The leaders of all four parties in the parliament issued a joint statement condemning the coup attempt.
Thousands of people gathered outside to show their support for the Turkish authorities as they waved national flags and chanted pro-government slogans.
Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 140 Constitutional Court members and 48 members of the Council of State in the wake of Friday night’s attempted coup. Ten arrests have already been made, local media reported.
Turkish Airlines resumed flights from Istanbul’s international Ataturk airport on Saturday after a coup attempt failed, although some foreign carriers have already cancelled weekend flights, Reuters reported.
An operation against coup attempt plotters at Turkish military general staff headquarters in the capital of Ankara has been completed, CNN Turk reported.
The head of Turkey’s armed forces, General Hulusi Akar, had been held hostage in the building for several hours, but was later rescued.
Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is currently residing in the US, said he condemned the coup “in the strongest terms.”
"As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt. I categorically deny such accusations,” he wrote in his blog.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Washington hasn’t received any extradition requests for Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who currently resides in the US in self-imposed exile, according to Reuters.
Earlier, Turkish government officials accused Fethullah Gulen of instigating the plot. Gulen used to be an ally of Erdogan, but the two fell out after a political scandal implicating top Turkish officials and became fierce enemies.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party told RIA Novosti in a statement that it supports neither the coup, nor the current government. According to PKK officials, the coup itself shows that Turkey is no longer a democratic country.
Some 100 members of the armed forces have been detained at the Diyarbakir air base in southeastern Turkey in connection with the attempted coup, Reuters reported, citing security sources.
President Vladimir Putin has called on Russian authorities to ensure the safety of Russian citizens stranded at Turkish airports, the Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said, adding that Putin also ordered that they be provided with logistical support.
The Embassy of Belgium in Ankara and the Consulate General of Belgium in Istanbul has been closed as a result of the coup attempt.
“We advise all Belgians who are now in Turkey to stay where they are, and to stay inside until the situation gets back to normal,” the statement said.
Reports on media suggest that the coup was led by Akin Ozturk, an ex-Commander of Turkish air force.
Turkish maritime authorities have re-opened the Bosporus strait to transiting tankers after it was closed for security reasons, Reuters reported.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan sent a mass text message to Turkish mobile phones on Saturday imploring Turks to "stand up" for democracy and peace. The message which came from "RT ERDOGAN" and was signed with his full name, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, also called on people to take to the streets against a "narrow cadre". (Reuters)
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu wrote on Twitter that he has asked Greece to return the eight soldiers who fled there.
A Turkish military helicopter carrying 8 people has landed in the Greek city of Alexandroupoli, local media report. Those on board have requested political asylum. They were detained.
At least 161 people have been killed and some 1,440 injured in the coup attempt, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said, adding that arrests are currently being made.
According to the prime minister, at least 2,839 people who took part in the coup have been detained.
Istanbul seems to have returned to some degree of normality, with the Bosphorus Bridge declared open for road traffic, according to TRT Haber TV channel. Those on the bridge, who were said to be coup supporters, abandoned their military vehicles and surrendered, according to the report. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, has also re-opened.
Russia is deeply concerned about the attempted military coup in Turkey, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. “The worsening political situation, as well as existing terror threats and regional armed conflict, pose increased danger to international and regional stability,” it asserted in a statement. Moscow is ready to cooperate with the “Turkey’s elected leadership,” the Ministry added.
More than 190 people have been killed since the attempted coup was launched, the acting chief of staff of the armed forces, Umit Dundar, said during a press conference.
“1,563 soldiers were arrested, and 104 military who took part in the coup were killed in clashes. Ninety others were also killed, including 41 [pro-government] police officers, 2 [pro-government] soldiers and 47 civilians,” he said.
The airspace over Turkey's northwestern Marmara region has been closed to civilian flights until 1805 GMT, the state-run Anadolu Agency said on Saturday, citing information from aviation authorities. The closure of the airspace, in a region near Turkey's borders with Greece and Bulgaria, comes after an attempted coup launched by a faction within Turkey's military (Reuters)
At least 700 soldiers have surrendered to police in Ankara since failed coup attempt, Turkish Anadolu Agency has reported.
Turkey may face another coup attempt, so it’s necessary to keep control of the streets, Turkish Presidency wrote on Twitter.
In addition, a Turkish official told Reuters that “Shots were fired by a military officer from inside the walls [of armed forces headquarters in Ankara] earlier this morning.”
Some Turkish military commanders have been taken hostage by those staging the coup, the acting chief of staff of the armed forces, Umit Dundar, said during a press conference.
Qatar has condemned the military coup in Turkey.
“The state of Qatar expressed its strong denunciation and condemnation of the military coup attempt, lawlessness, and violation of the constitutional legitimacy in the Republic of Turkey,” Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Operations to retake control of armed forces headquarters in Ankara are still underway, reports Reuters.
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he has spoken to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and expressed his support for Erdogan’s government.
The US has called upon all parties in Turkey to support the government of President Tayyip Erdogan against the coup attempt.
“The President and Secretary 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 said in a statement.
The number of people injured in the Turkish coup attempt has risen to 1,154, Turkish Anadolu Agency reported.
Some 200 unarmed soldiers have left Turkey’s military headquarters in Ankara and surrendered to police, AP reported.
The death toll from the Turkish coup attempt has risen to 90, Turkish Anadolu Agency has reported.
The Turkish parliament is holding an extraordinary session to address the coup attempt, AFP reported.
At least 1,563 military personnel across the country have been detained since the coup attempt was launched, an official told Reuters.
According to Milliyet newspaper, the number of detained military personnel currently stands at 1,374.
Turkey’s intelligence agency headquarters has been targeted by military helicopters and heavy machinegun fire, an intelligence source told Reuters, adding that the attack has resulted in at least three injuries.
The source said that the agency’s head, Hakan Fidan, was at a secure location and was in constant contact with President Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.
Iran has suspended all the flights to Turkey, the deputy director of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport was quoted as saying by Iranian state media.
“We will revise the situation to resume the flights when we have the latest information,” Koroush Fattahi said.
Turkey’s intelligence agency is now coordinating with security forces to stop the coup plotters’ operations in Istanbul and Ankara, Reuters quoted sources.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry advised its citizens to cancel planned trips to Turkey in the wake of the attempted coup.
“The government expresses grave concern about the situation arising from actions by a part of Turkish military and hopes the situation is swiftly brought under control through enforcement of democratic and constitutional order and stability is restored,” it said.
At least 16 coup plotters have been killed in clashes at Turkey’s military police command in Ankara, Turkey’s Police Chief, Celalettin Lekesiz, told AP, adding that some 250 people had been detained. Clashes at the command are continuing, but “are about to come to an end,” he added.
Turkish military chief of staff who was reportedly taken hostage during coup attempt has been rescued, a senior official told Reuters.
At least 754 members of the armed forces have been detained over the coup attempt, Reuters reported, citing a Turkish official.
Another official stated that 29 colonels and five generals were removed from their posts following the coup attempt.
Pro-government forces currently control Turkey’s military headquarters, a senior Turkish official told Reuters, adding that small groups of soldiers backing the coup attempt are still resisting and control several military helicopters.
Turkey’s coup attempt has exposed a deep division between the people and the nation’s army, Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said, while calling for constitutional order to be restored.
“What happened in Turkey still needs to be analyzed as the situation continues to unfold… It is essential to restore constitutional order on Turkish territory, so that all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by their legislation are complied with.”
A total of about 800 people are in hospitals, including some 200 in Ankara, President of Red Crescent Turkey Dr Kerem Kinik said.
EU hopes to keep Ankara as a “key partner” following a coup attempt in Turkey, said European Council President Donald Tusk, adding that these events will have a significant impact on the region.
“A military coup has no place in Turkey. Disputes cannot be solved with guns. Events continue to unfold, and the situation is still far from stabilization,” Tusk said. “The key question is what Turkey will come out of this crisis. Consequences will be crucial for the region and for the relations with the EU. Our hope is to keep Turkey as a key partner in all dimensions.”
A faction of pro-coup soldiers are still fighting fiercely against those who oppose them, Reuters cited Turkish military General Staff as saying in a statement. The soldiers are referring to themselves as the Peace at Home Movement and urging people to stay inside their homes for safety.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses cited by Reuters said there were clashes between anti-coup protesters and the soldiers surrendering at Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge after protesters attacked them.
US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who has been accused by President Erdogan of orchestrating the coup attempt in Turkey, has issued a statement condemning the coup in the strongest terms.
A total of 336 people have been detained across the country following the coup attempt in Turkey, the country’s Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said. Meanwhile, Haberturk reported that over 600 people have been detained in Istanbul alone.
First Army Commander Umit Dundar has been appointed as Chief of General Staff by proxy, the Turskish Prime Minister announced on Twitter.
Whereabouts of the current head of armed forces remains unclear.
Anadolu news agency says anti-Erdogan military has thrown two bombs outside the presidential complex, killing at least five people.
President of the European Council Donald Tusk has called for a swift return to Turkey's constitutional order.
"Turkey is a key partner for the European Union. The EU fully supports the democratically elected government, the institutions of the country and the rule of law," Tusk said. "We call for a swift return to Turkey's constitutional order."
President Erdogan is urging protesters not to leave until the situation in the country is back to normal.
“I'm not leaving, either,” he said.
A military helicopter used by coup plotters has been shot down in outskirts of Ankara, Anadolu agency reports.
Turkish TV footage shows tens of soldiers involved in coup attempt surrendering on Istanbul’s Bosporus bridge.
The presidential palace in Ankara has been hit from the air by the military coup plotters, injuries are reported, NTV says.
Soldiers loyal to the government have taken control over Istanbul airport, a senior Turkish official has said, according to Reuters.
Istanbul’s Bosporus Strait has been closed off to tanker traffic by the authorities, Reuters quoted a shipping agent from GAC, one of world’s largest ship agencies, as saying.
At least 60 have been killed in attempted Turkish coup as shootouts continue in Ankara and Istanbul.
A senior Turkish official has confirmed that 42 people have been killed, says most of them civilians, Reuters reports.
NTV news quotes prosecutor's office in Ankara saying at least 42 people have been killed in "attacks" in the capital.
The state-run Anadolu news agency reports operations at the airport were back to normal and that flights would resume at 06:00 am (0300 GMT).
Prime Minister Yildirim says fighter jets have been deployed to deal with military aircraft.
Yildirim has added that coup plotters have opened fire on civilians.
Casualties are reported as coup plotters open fire at civilians close to parliament, general staff buildings in Ankara.
The Turkish President has confirmed that he had been in Marmaris as the coup unfolded. Erdogan said that his hotel there was bombed right after he left.
CNN Turk has resumed their broadcast after the office was temporarily taken-over by the military.
Prime Minister Yildirim has said that over 120 people have been arrested, urging pro-government protesters to remain in the streets.
Erdogan has confirmed that the military detained the Secretary General.
“I don't know right now the status of the head of the General staff,” he added.
Erdogan has blamed Gulen for ordering Turkish military to stage the coup, calls the people following the Pennsylvania-based cleric a “terrorist organization.”
US Democratic Presidential presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton has issued a statement on the events in Turkey.
Erdogan has called the coup “a gift from God” which would help Turkey “clean up” its military ranks of members of “this gang.”
“If you point your guns at your nation, you won’t be forgiven,” Erdogan said as translated by MSNBC.
Erdogan has said that groups behind the coup will pay for what they did, adding that Turkey won’t be frightened.
Erdogan says those involved in the military coup will get necessary response, regardless of what institution they are from.
President Erdogan arrives in Istanbul.
Gunshots are heard on live broadcast from CNN Turk studio.
Anadolu news agency is also reporting about fighter jets flying over the airport as sounds of explosions are heard.
Dozens of Turkish soldiers have surrendered weapons to armed police in Istanbul’s central Taksim Square, Reuters reports citing a witness.
As the soldiers were turning over their weapons, a fighter jet flew by at low altitude, triggering a sonic boom wave that shattered windows of nearby buildings.
Turkish Hürriyet newspaper says soldiers have taken hostages as they made their way into the office building.
Two more blasts have been heard in Ankara.
Prime Minister Yildirim has called on everyone behind the coup to surrender, vowing to strike back to further attacks.
A Turkish official is saying that Erdogan’s plane is about to land in Istanbul, Reuters reports.
At least 12 people have been injured after the parliament building was hit by two bombs, Anadolu news agency says.
Anadolu news reports 104 soldiers who attempted the coup in Istanbul have been identified, some detained.
Video footage allegedly recorded inside the parliament building has caught the moment of the explosion.
The state-run TRT broadcaster has resumed its work after going off air.
15 July 2016
The Pentagon says the coup in Turkey has no impact on the US Incirlik air base, adding that air operations from the base aimed at Islamic State will continue.
Turkish Prime Minister has declared a no-fly zone over Ankara, NTV broadcaster reported.
The parliament building has reportedly been hit by a bomb.
Another three soldiers have been detained while attempting to seize the presidential complex, Anadolu news agency says.
Anadolu news agency says that four soldiers, including one “high-ranked”, behind the coup have been “neutralized” after an attempt to take over the state-run TRT broadcaster. The soldiers reportedly support the anti-Erdogan FETO movement.
A loud explosion was heard in the Turkish capital Ankara early on Saturday, Reuters reported citing witnesses.
A military helicopter, said to be a Sikorsky aircraft, was brought down by a government F-16 fighter jet, NTV news reports.
US President Barack Obama has urged support for the “democratically-elected” Turkish government.
AT least 17 police officers have been killed at Ankara Special Forces headquarters, Anadolu news agency says.
A Turkish fighter jet loyal to the government has reportedly shot down one of the military helicopters hovering over Ankara.
Russia’s presidential spokesman has said Moscow is concerned about the events unfolding in Turkey, adding that the President has been briefed. Vladimir Putin has not spoken to Erdogan yet, he added.
Turkey's AK Party is still in charge of the government, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said despite the military claiming to have taken power.
Soldiers are reportedly shooting at protesters trying to cross Istanbul's Bosporus bridge that has been closed since the start of the coup.
The Turkish military has taken control over some tanks and has ordered its forces to try to take over the streets but has been unable do so in many areas, a senior Turkish government official said, according to Reuters.
Turkish military helicopters reportedly open fire at the National Intelligence Agency in Ankara.
Erdogan purged military when he got into the office, and was trying to accumulate more power over the years, says former Pentagon official Michael Maloof
A senior Turkish official claims loyalist forces are gaining control over the military coup organizers trying to overthrow the government.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed for calm in Turkey.
"The Secretary-General is closely following developments in Turkey. He is aware of the reports of a coup attempt in the country. The United Nations is seeking to clarify the situation on the ground and appeals for calm," said spokesman Farhan Haq.
Gunfire and explosions are heard at Istanbul’s airport amid chaotic crowds.
Turkish Justice Minister reportedly blames the coup on members of a movement loyal to US-based cleric Mohammed Gulen.
Witnesses shared pictures of the explosion in Ankara.
People in several Turkish cities are out in the streets protesting against the military coup.
In Ankara, protesters are shouting “We are in the streets! We stand by the state of the selected Power.”
Turkish state broadcaster TRT has been taken off the air after an announcer read a statement from the military saying it had taken over the government in a coup.
An explosion is reported at in Ankara.
A picture taken at TRT has surfaced showing soldiers in the hallways of the office of the state-run station.
Celebratory gunfire is reported in Damascus, Syria, Reuters says citing witnesses from both the capital and the government-held section of the northern city of Aleppo.
UK Foreign Ministry has advised British citizens to avoid public places and remain vigilant until the situation in Turkey evolves.
The Turkish President says he is returning to Ankara as people pour into the streets.
President Erdogan is calling on people of Turkey to go out into the streets, Reuters reported. Reportedly says “we will overcome this.”
President Erdogan is calling on people of Turkey to go out into the streets, Reuters reported.
Footage from Turkey is showing a crowd of people running away as gunfire is heard.
Heavy gunfire is reported at Turkish presidential palace.
People are flocking to ATMs across the city trying to withdraw money.
US State Department has issued a travel alert for American citizens, urging those currently in Turkey to find a shelter and remain indoors.
Military says on TRT martial law has been imposed.
Russian Aeroflot airlines is reportedly diverting a flight 2134 from Moscow to Istanbul.
Turkish state-run TRT news is broadcasting the military’s statement.
“Turkish Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and the general security that was damaged,” the military said in a statement. “All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue.”
Prime Minister Yildirim has told NTV that the country is indeed seeing “the possibility of revolt.”
“Whoever did this will pay the heaviest price,” Anadolu agency is citing the minister as saying.
Turkish military has reportedly declared a takeover of the country.
Local Anadolu news agency reports that a Turkish military chief is among leaders detained.
Turkey's armed forces claim they have detained government leaders reportedly vowing to protect the democratic order and to maintain human rights.
Reuters reports citing a pilot that all flights from Istanbul's Ataturk airport have been cancelled.
President Erdogan is away on vacation as Turkish military reportedly says in statement that military has taken over.
Reports of an explosion at Police Special Operations headquarters.
Access to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube is being blocked, while the state-owned TRT television has gone off the air, according to reports from inside Turkey.
“Some people illegally undertook an illegal action outside of the chain of command," Prime Minister Bulent Yildirim said, in comments broadcast by private channel NTV.
A Twitter user has shared an amateur video with sounds of jet engines overhead. Aircraft could not be seen in the darkness.
Military jets have been seen and heard taking off by locals who said they have no idea what was going on.
Turkey's military says in a statement that the military has taken over, according to Reuters.
Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge are both blocked by military vehicles and armed soldiers, Dogan News Agency reported.
Tanks can be seen in the streets of Ankara