By — News Desk News Desk Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/military-coup-attempted-turkey-says-prime-minister Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter President Erdogan returns to Turkey amid attempted coup World Jul 15, 2016 4:39 PM EDT Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was greeted by large crowds upon returning to Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, after fleeting to an undisclosed location due to a military coup earlier in the day, the Associated Press reported. Earlier Friday evening, Turkish military released a statement saying armed forces have “fully seized control” of running the country. As armored vehicles, tanks, helicopters and military jets were deployed across Ankara and Instanbul, the power struggle sent the country into a state of chaos, marking by shootings, explosions and people taking to the streets in protest. A Turkish news service published the statement, which said the armed forces took over “to reinstall the constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms, to ensure that the rule of law once again reigns in the country, for the law and order to be reinstated.” Before returning to the country, President Erdogan spoke on an iPhone from an undisclosed location and appeared on CNN-Turk via FaceTime. The president called the turmoil “an attempt at an uprising by a minority within our armed forces.” He added that he didn’t believe the attempt would be successful and called on citizens to stand up for the government by going out into the streets. “There is absolutely no chain of command here,” he said. “Right now the chain of command has been put on hold.” The U.S. State Department confirmed martial law is in effect for Turkey and added that all flights had been suspended at Ataturk Istanbul Airport, the third largest airport in Europe. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris, Turkey, July 15, 2016. Photo by REUTERS/Kenan Gurbuz Despite the president’s return, there were continued reports of clashes between the military and the police across the nation. The Associated Press, citing the local Anadolu Agency, reported that a bomb hit the Turkish parliament in Ankara. Some police officers and parliament workers were hurt in the bomb attack, according to CNN-Turk Television. Tanks were also observed moving toward a palace used by the prime minister and deputy prime ministers. The Associated Press reported that a civilian car tried to stop the convoy but was rammed through while the car passengers escaped. Loud explosions were reported in the capital, Ankara, including at the state-run television building. State media said that a military helicopter had attacked Ankara police special forces headquarters on the outskirts of the city. The AP confirmed a group of 17 police officers were killed in the attack. Soldiers blocking Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge have shot at and injured individuals protesting the attempted coup, BBC reports, citing the private Dogan news agency. Soldiers also blocked the entrance to Ataturk Airport, where tanks and a military vehicle were parked in front of the VIP terminal, according to the Dogan news agency. A Turkish soldier stands guard near Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey on July 15. Photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters The AP also reports that Turkey may be blocking access to popular social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told Turkish news channel NTV that a group within the Turkish military had attempted to stage a coup against Erdogan’s government, saying “it is correct that there was an attempt.” Yildirim added: “There was an illegal act by a group within the military that was acting out of the chain of military command. Our people should know that we will not allow any activity that would harm democracy.” People demonstrate in front of the Republic Monument at the Taksim Square in Istanbul, July 16, 2016. Photo by REUTERS/Murad Sezer The U.S. State Department confirmed “reports of gunshots & possible attempted uprising” on Twitter and urged the use of email or phone to contact people in Turkey, amid reports that social media had been blocked. Reports that social media is blocked in #Turkey. Use email/phone call/SMS to contact loved ones in area. — Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) July 15, 2016 Secretary of State John Kerry, in Moscow for talks on Syria, said he hoped for stability and continuity for Turkey, a key ally and coalition member in the fight against the Islamic State. At the same news conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned his country’s citizens in Turkey to stay indoors. The White House said president Barack Obama spoke with Secretary Kerry via phone about the event. In a statement, Obama and Kerry urged all parties to support the democratically-elected government. This is a developing story. By — News Desk News Desk
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was greeted by large crowds upon returning to Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, after fleeting to an undisclosed location due to a military coup earlier in the day, the Associated Press reported. Earlier Friday evening, Turkish military released a statement saying armed forces have “fully seized control” of running the country. As armored vehicles, tanks, helicopters and military jets were deployed across Ankara and Instanbul, the power struggle sent the country into a state of chaos, marking by shootings, explosions and people taking to the streets in protest. A Turkish news service published the statement, which said the armed forces took over “to reinstall the constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms, to ensure that the rule of law once again reigns in the country, for the law and order to be reinstated.” Before returning to the country, President Erdogan spoke on an iPhone from an undisclosed location and appeared on CNN-Turk via FaceTime. The president called the turmoil “an attempt at an uprising by a minority within our armed forces.” He added that he didn’t believe the attempt would be successful and called on citizens to stand up for the government by going out into the streets. “There is absolutely no chain of command here,” he said. “Right now the chain of command has been put on hold.” The U.S. State Department confirmed martial law is in effect for Turkey and added that all flights had been suspended at Ataturk Istanbul Airport, the third largest airport in Europe. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris, Turkey, July 15, 2016. Photo by REUTERS/Kenan Gurbuz Despite the president’s return, there were continued reports of clashes between the military and the police across the nation. The Associated Press, citing the local Anadolu Agency, reported that a bomb hit the Turkish parliament in Ankara. Some police officers and parliament workers were hurt in the bomb attack, according to CNN-Turk Television. Tanks were also observed moving toward a palace used by the prime minister and deputy prime ministers. The Associated Press reported that a civilian car tried to stop the convoy but was rammed through while the car passengers escaped. Loud explosions were reported in the capital, Ankara, including at the state-run television building. State media said that a military helicopter had attacked Ankara police special forces headquarters on the outskirts of the city. The AP confirmed a group of 17 police officers were killed in the attack. Soldiers blocking Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge have shot at and injured individuals protesting the attempted coup, BBC reports, citing the private Dogan news agency. Soldiers also blocked the entrance to Ataturk Airport, where tanks and a military vehicle were parked in front of the VIP terminal, according to the Dogan news agency. A Turkish soldier stands guard near Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey on July 15. Photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters The AP also reports that Turkey may be blocking access to popular social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told Turkish news channel NTV that a group within the Turkish military had attempted to stage a coup against Erdogan’s government, saying “it is correct that there was an attempt.” Yildirim added: “There was an illegal act by a group within the military that was acting out of the chain of military command. Our people should know that we will not allow any activity that would harm democracy.” People demonstrate in front of the Republic Monument at the Taksim Square in Istanbul, July 16, 2016. Photo by REUTERS/Murad Sezer The U.S. State Department confirmed “reports of gunshots & possible attempted uprising” on Twitter and urged the use of email or phone to contact people in Turkey, amid reports that social media had been blocked. Reports that social media is blocked in #Turkey. Use email/phone call/SMS to contact loved ones in area. — Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) July 15, 2016 Secretary of State John Kerry, in Moscow for talks on Syria, said he hoped for stability and continuity for Turkey, a key ally and coalition member in the fight against the Islamic State. At the same news conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned his country’s citizens in Turkey to stay indoors. The White House said president Barack Obama spoke with Secretary Kerry via phone about the event. In a statement, Obama and Kerry urged all parties to support the democratically-elected government. This is a developing story.