Turkey Military Coup Attempt Has Failed – President Erdogan
After a night of explosions, gunfire and tanks rolling along the streets, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Turkey Saturday that an attempted military coup was over and the government was in charge.
However, the sounds of fighting were still being reported in Ankara and Istanbul after the chaotic attempt by members of the military to wrest control from Erdogan.
At least 90 people died and 1,000 people were injured across the country.
Where it happened
A regular Friday night turned into chaos when military personnel blockaded the two bridges that cross the Bosphorus straight connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. Uncertainty followed as the military issued a declaration it had seized control of Turkey.
Advertisement
Earlier as dawn broke, the Turkish president denounced the failed coup attempt.
While the situation remains fluid, the key locations where soldiers gathered during the attempted coup has become a little clearer.
What we know at 1200 local (0500 ET):
Turkish authorities are rounding up suspects after a coup attempt by opposition members of Turkey’s military
Scenes of confusion and chaos pushed the country into turmoil overnight
Helicopter used by coup plotters shot down by Turkish F-16 fighter jet over Ankara
1563 military personnel detained across Turkey since Friday coup, according to a source within the President’s office
90 people killed; another 1000 people wounded
Death toll update
Advertisement
At least 90 people died in Turkey following an attempted coup Friday night, said Umit Dundar, a deputy chief in the military.
Who’s behind coup attempt?
President Erdogan, when speaking to his supporters, appeared to blame the coup attempt on Fethullah Gulen, a high-profile political figure and religious scholar based in the U.S. He lives in a gated compound in a small, leafy town in Pennsylvania. Here’s a profile from 2014.
Death toll rises; generals and colonels arrested
At least 60 people have died following the attempted military coup, a government official tells CNN.
Advertisement
Five generals and 29 colonels are relieved of their duty, according to Turkey’s Interior Ministry, and several high court judges are also being questioned.
At least one air force base in the country is still in control of the insurgents, according to the ministry.
CNN
