Turkey : PM Binali Yildirim says attempted coup underway, calls for calm
ISTANBUL/ANKARA : A group within Turkey’s military has attempted to overthrow the government and security forces have been called in to “do what is necessary”, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Friday.
“Some people illegally undertook an illegal action outside of the chain of command,” Yildirim said in comments broadcast by private channel NTV.
“The government elected by the people remains in charge. This government will only go when the people say so. Those behind the attempted coup would pay the highest price”.
On other hand details from the statement read out on the state broadcaster TRT at the behest of the military faction that seems to be behind the coup, says that the freedom of Turkish citizens is guaranteed by what is referred to as a “peace council”, regardless of religion, race or language. It says the Peace Council will not allow public order to be damaged.
Footage on local television channels showed military vehicles blocking bridges over the Bosphorus in Istanbul and tanks deployed at the city’s main airport. In the capital Ankara, warplanes and helicopters roared overhead. A Reuters journalist heard gunshots.
A Turkish official who did not want to be named said soldiers had been deployed in other cities in Turkey, but did not specify which ones.
Dogan News Agency reported the national police directorate had summoned all police to duty in Ankara.
