60 killed and over 700 arrested in attempted military coup
– A military coup has been attempted by Turkish military against Erdogan
– The total of causalities has risen to at least 60
– Turkey’s head of armed forces has been rescued after being held hostage
– The central government headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says it is still in control
A faction of the Turkish military on Friday, July 15, branded as the “Peace at Home Movement”, launched a coup attempt aimed at toppling President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.
According to Mirror, gunfire was reported in the Turkish capital Ankara as military jets were spotted flying overhead and tanks roam the streets.
A curfew has been imposed with martial law in place, the internet has been restricted and people are being told to stay indoors.
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Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge have been closed.
President Erdogan had called on his supporters to take to the streets to oppose the soldiers who are trying to seize control of the country.
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.
Meanwhile, the head of Turkey’s armed forces has been rescued after being held hostage during an attempted coup by a military faction which used tanks and attack helicopters to try to seize power overnight, a senior Turkish official said.
Hulusi Akar had been held by rebel soldiers during the attempted coup, Turkish broadcasters said.
Turkish authorities have so far detained 1,563 members of the armed forces after a coup attempt by a faction within the military that used tanks and attack helicopters to try to overthrow the government.
President Tayyip Erdogan addressing a crowd of supporters outside Istanbul Ataturk Airport this morning, July 16 said: “They have pointed the people’s guns against the people. The president, whom 52 percent of the people brought to power, is in charge. This government brought to power by the people, is in charge. They won’t succeed as long as we stand against them by risking everything.”
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Earlier, Erdogan said the government was arresting coup supporters in the military and warned “they will pay a heavy price for their treason to Turkey,”
The death toll which has been reported to have risen to at least 60, are understood to be mainly civilians. There have been 42 confirmed fatalities in Ankara and a number of other people are understood to have died in Istanbul, Telegraph reports.
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