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| This image purports to show police officers detained by a military unit (Image: AFP) |
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In Summary
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Turkey's President Erdogan greets crowds on the streets of Istanbul #TurkeyCoupAttempt https://t.co/XOhNhj1S48 https://t.co/Zx5SOWHjp0— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) July 16, 2016
Failed coup: Summary of the key developments
Summary of the key developments:
- Turkey's PM Binali Yildirim has declared the attempted coup over, describing it as a "black stain on Turkish democracy" and saying the plotters will "face justice they deserve"
- More than 160 people are dead, 1,440 are wounded and some 2,800 soldiers are under arrest after a night in which a faction of the army tried to seize power
- Explosions and gunfire were heard in Ankara, Istanbul and elsewhere, and soldiers stormed state media, as the coup unfolded
- President Erdogan made a dramatic televised address, via a mobile phone, urging his supporters to take to the streets to oppose the uprising
- Exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen denied he was behind the coup after accusations from Mr Erdogan
- American diplomats in Turkey say the authorities there have imposed a security lockdown at the Incirlik air base in the southern province of Adana which is used by the US in the fight against militants in Syria
- Some 2,745 judges have also been dismissed in the wake of the coup, state media say
- Echoing other politicians around the world, the US secretary of state John Kerry said his country supported the Turkish government
Arab world reaction on social media
The coup attempt is generating a buzz on Arab social media.
Most users back the government, using Arabic hashtags #Turkey (used more than 800,000 times), #Failure_of_the_coup, and #Turkish_coup.
An image of worshippers praying outside a Turkish mosque has been retweeted more than 2,500 times. Posted by @turkyepost, it is captioned: "For the first time in Turkish history mosques do not have space for those who want to perform morning prayers, so they do so in the streets. Thank God for the quashing of the coup."
Almost 90,000 tweets tagged #Campaign_to_spit_on_Al-Arabiya accuse the Saudi-owned pan-Arab news TV of being supportive of the coup attempt.
Among the online sceptics is Kuwaiti Shia MP Abdul-Hamid Dashti - @adashtimp - who tweets: "The coup drama was only meant to eliminate the opposition completely and change army commanders."
Surrendered soldiers 'beaten on Bosphorus bridge'
Reuters reports that some 50 soldiers who were involved in the attempted coup surrendered on a Bosphorus bridge shortly after dawn - these images by a Reuters photographer show some of the men apparently being beaten by civilians.
Image of detained soldiers being shown in Turkish media
One striking image purporting to show soldiers, who have been arrested and stripped, is being used in Turkish media - here, a Times journalist currently in Istanbul reposted it on Twitter.
Correction - soldiers are detained in Sirnak, eastern Turkey, not Bakirkoy https://t.co/UTggcmMD7T— Hannah Lucinda Smith (@hannahluci) July 16, 2016
US: No request to extradite alleged coup plotter Gulen
US Secretary of State John Kerry has asked Turkey to hand over any evidence it has against exiled Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who the Turkish government has indirectly accused of being behind the coup. Mr Gullen lives in self-imposed exile in the United States.
Mr Kerry, speaking in Luxembourg, says the US has not received any request to extradite the cleric.
In a statement, Mr Gulen rejected any suggestion he had links to the events, saying he condemned "in the strongest terms, the attempted military coup in Turkey".
EU foreign policy chief condemns coup attempt
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has just released a statement saying: "We condemn the attempted coup in Turkey and reiterate our full support to the democratic institutions of the country."
While adding the EU was in contact with Turkish authorities, she said: "Societal tensions can only be addressed through democratic processes.
"We underline the need for a swift return to Turkey's constitutional order with its checks and balances and stress the importance for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms to prevail."
Greece 'will examine asylum request' - reports
Reuters news agency reports that Greece will "examine" the asylum requests of eight men who arrived there in a military helicopter earlier today, citing two government sources.
Turkey has demanded that the group be sent back.
The sources said the military helicopter they arrived in will be returned to Turkey immediately.
Anti-government forces 'take over frigate' - reports
Although the government claims the situation in Turkey is "fully under control", reports suggest not all is peaceful yet.
Reuters news agency is reporting that an "anti-government group" has taken over a frigate at Turkey's Golcuk naval base and taken a commander hostage, citing a Greek military source.
Not confirm yet.
British tourists in Turkey describe explosions and gunfire
British tourists in Turkey have been describing what they saw and heard overnight.
Mike Baddeley, on holiday in the resort of Marmaris, told BBC 5 live Breakfast he was woken by "a very large explosion, followed by, it seemed like one or two helicopters flying above our heads... with machine gun fire".
In the morning, he saw armed men in military fatigues walking around the hotel, but no further violence.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been on holiday in the resort, but had reportedly left by the time the shots were fired.
Pictures: The aftermath of the failed coup
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| Blood is seen on the bridge after soldiers surrendered |
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| Clothes and weapons belonging to soldiers who surrendered lie abandoned on the ground |
Parliament building 'hit by bomb'
More details are emerging about the reported bomb attack on the parliament building in Ankara.
CNN-Turk reported that some police officers and parliament workers were hurt.
A man living not far from the area told the Associated Press that he heard a massive explosion that shook buildings and saw a column of smoke. But he could not confirm it it was coming from parliament itself. Fighter jets were also flying low in the area, he said.
Turkish PM: 'Situation largely under control'
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim earlier said the situation in Turkey was largely under control, adding that the coup attempt was by followers of Fethullah Gulen. The military's chief of staff was on duty, he added, rejecting earlier reports that he was taken hostage.
Mr Yildirim also tells broadcaster NTV that a no-fly zone has been declared over Ankara.
Gulen movement condemns Turkey coup attempt
A movement loyal to the US-based Turkish Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen has condemned the coup attempt in Turkey and accusations by the president's supporters that it is somehow involved.
"We condemn any military intervention in domestic politics of Turkey," the Alliance for Shared Values says in a statement quoted by the Reuters news agency.
"Comments by pro-Erdogan circles about the movement are highly irresponsible," it adds.
State broadcaster TRT 'back on air'
The Reuters news agency reports that Turkey's state broadcaster, TRT, is back on air.
Injuries reported on Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge
We're getting images of some injuries among pro-coup protesters on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul.
Many of them are too graphic to display. Live images broadcast at about 01:10 local time (23:00 GMT) appeared to show a number of people being shot on the bridge.
Anadolu: Jets seeking to engage rebel helicopters over Ankara
Turkey's state agency Anadolu reports that the army's jets are flying over the capital Ankara to "neutralise" helicopters being used by those behind the coup.
Anadolu names the group "Feto", which is what Turkey's government calls the Hizment movement run by the cleric Fetullah Gulen.
Army fighter jets flying over Ankara to neutralize helicopters used by terrorist group FETO in coup attempt: sources pic.twitter.com/miq4xcZl51— ANADOLU AGENCY (ENG) (@anadoluagency) July 15, 2016
Police killed in attack on special forces HQ
The state-run Anadolu news agency reports that 17 police officers have been killed in an aerial attack on the Golbasi special operations department in Ankara.
Report: Army helicopter downed by Turkish fighter jet
Turkish broadcaster NTV reports that a Sikorsky helicopter belonging to the army group attempting a coup has been downed by a Turkish military F-16 jet.
This is only one report so far, so we will bring you more on this when we get it.
Long queues seen in Antalya
People rushing to petrol stations, bakeries, atms. Curfew fear. Noone stopping at red lights #Antalya #TurkeyCoup pic.twitter.com/LcQrf7FP7v— Seref Isler (@seref_i) July 15, 2016
Ambulances and police fuelling up and massive queues at petrol station #TurkeyCoup pic.twitter.com/e1zby7Ycp2— Seref Isler (@seref_i) July 15, 2016
Military faction 'struggling to take over streets' - government official
A senior Turkish government official tells the Reuters news agency that a faction of the military was attempting to seize power. It had control of some tanks and had ordered troops to try to take over the streets, but had been unable to do so in many areas, the official said.
Insecurity was likely to continue for the next 24 hours, the official added.
AK Party still in charge, Deputy PM says
Turkey's ruling AK Party is still in charge of the government, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus says in comments on live television.
Tanks on the streets of Istanbul
Your eyes are not deceiving you.
Tanks 'deployed outside parliament'
The private Turkish Dogan news agency is reporting that the military has deployed tanks outside the parliament building in Ankara, according to AFP.
Troops 'trying to clear media at Istanbul protest'
New British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson 'very concerned'
Reports of clashes in Istanbul's Taksim Square
Journalist Oz Katerji has been broadcasting on Facebook Live from the protest at Istanbul's Taksim Square. He says the military are taking control of the area, as shots are fired.
You can watch one broadcast here
New British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson 'very concerned'
Very concerned by events unfolding in #Turkey. Our Embassy is monitoring the situation closely. Brits should follow FCO website for advice— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 15, 2016
Reports of clashes in Istanbul's Taksim Square
Supporters of President Erdogan turned out to Taksim Square in the centre of Istanbul as reports of the attempted coup emerged.
There have since been reports of clashes there, with some on Twitter saying that gunfire has been heard near the square.
Main opposition leader says Turks do not want another coup pic.twitter.com/bl3jCUBBRO— ANADOLU AGENCY (ENG) (@anadoluagency) July 15, 2016
Erdogan 'was on holiday in Marmaris'
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was reportedly on holiday in the Mediterranean resort town of Marmaris when the coup attempt was launched. Here is a photo showing him addressing reporters there.
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube blocked
Access to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube was blocked in Turkey soon after reports of a coup emerged, according to Reuters.
"Turkey Blocks, a group that monitors internet shutdowns in the country, and Dyn, which monitors internet performance and traffic globally, both reported it was difficult or impossible to access social media services in Turkey," it says.
At the same time, Turkey's Prime Minister has been tweeting freely.
And there were reports that President Erdogan's Twitter notifications popped up on screen while he was conducting a webcam interview with CNN Turk.
Gunshots heard around Presidential Complex in Ankara, witnesses say military helicopters fired pic.twitter.com/I0ZCmHlK2x— ANADOLU AGENCY (ENG) (@anadoluagency) July 15, 2016
MORE ON THIS STORY BELOW
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| The Bosphorus bridge was blocked off by military units (Image: Reuters) |
An army group in Turkey says it has taken control of the country, with bridges closed in Istanbul and aircraft flying low over Ankara.
PM Binali Yildirim earlier denounced an "illegal action" by a military "group", stressing it was not a coup. He said that the government remained in charge.
Traffic has been stopped from crossing both the Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges in Istanbul.
There are reports of gunshots in the capital Ankara.
Other reports said soldiers were inside buildings of the Turkish state broadcaster in Ankara.
Gunfire was also heard outside Istanbul police HQ and tanks are said to be stationed outside Istanbul airport. All flights are cancelled, reports say.
CNN Turk reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was "safe" but did not elaborate.
A statement from the military group read out on NTV television said: "The power in the country has been seized in its entirety." Who represents the group remains uncertain.
A Turkish presidential source told Reuters that the statement was not authorised by the military command.
Mr Yildirim told NTV by telephone: "We are working on the possibility of an attempt. We will not allow this attempt.
"Those who are in this illegal act will pay the highest price," he added, saying it would not be correct to describe the move as a "coup".
He said: "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."
There are reports Turkey's top general has been taken hostage at the military HQ.
Visiting Moscow, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he hoped for peace and "continuity" in Turkey.
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