More 150 people were killed and more than 300 arrested after a military coup attempt was made in Turkey late on Friday night by a group within Turkey’s military establishment which tried to seize control from the democratically elected President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
According to AFP, the majority of those killed were civilians and most of those detained are soldiers.
Both sides battled it out on the streets of Istanbul and Ankara as tanks and soldiers rolled out on the streets.
Protesters tried to muster forces, with gunfire and explosions punctuating the chaos, even as military jets were reportedly seen flying over the capital, Ankara.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told NTV television: “It is correct that there was an attempt.”
Yildirim didn’t provide details, but said Turkey would never allow any “initiative that would interrupt democracy.”
Early on Saturday, it was unclear who was in control – the army or the elected government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In Istanbul, bridges were blocked by a group of soldiers and military vehicles. The U.S. Embassy reported low-flying military jets.
Media reports said ambulances were seen in front of the Turkey’s military headquarters.
President Tayyip Erdogan however has defied all prohibitory orders and asked the citizens to stop all attempts to disqualify a democratically elected government.
Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
Comments
0 comment