WARNING: This report contains potentially graphic imagery.
The Turkish military has launched a coup in an attempt to wrest control from the current government. The current Prime Minister has dubbed the move an illegal act. Presently, the coup is very much a live situation, as scenes in the iconic Turkish city, Istanbul, show tanks and fighter jets patrolling the area as a the military engage in a standoff with police.
Control over the nation is still disputed with the Turkish military issuing a statement that "power in the country has been seized in its entirety" whilst the President, Recep Erdoğan made a proclamation live over FaceTime insisting that he was still in power.
At approximately 10pm, Friday, local time, declared that it was seizing power in order to "ensure and restore constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms and let the supremacy law in the country prevail ... to restore order which was disrupted." If the military is able to take power it promises to maintain its good friendship with neighbours and foreign powers.
Gunfire has been heard in Istanbul as well as the capital, Ankara, with soldiers gathering in main squares and military aircraft flying overhead. There are some reports that tanks fired upon Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, as flights were ordered to halt.
Erdogan called for Turks to resist the coup, particularly in squares and airport. Huge protests have already broken out in support of Erdogan, with civilians seizing army tanks. One tank driver has been held hostage, his fate is currently unknown. Reportedly, the army has clashed with civilians on the famous Bosphorus Bridge, and a military helicopter has opened fire on a police station at Istanbul airport.
The General of the 1st Turkish army made his own statement via live feed, declaring that his army is not in support of the coup, indicating that there may be disunity among the ranks of the military.
The Turkish currency, the Lira, has plummeted by at least 5% and is expected to drop further. Iran has also closed its borders with Turkey.
Imams are making announcements over Mosque loudspeakers, calling the Turkish citizenry to arms against the military takeover. They are also broadcasting call to prayers, an unprecedented act at that time of the day.
There are now videos surfacing online showing the Turkish military firing indiscrimanately in protesting crowds, as well as military tanks running over unoccupied cars in order to clear a path. The military has also killed 17 Police Special Forces after firing upon them from a helicopter.
The Turkish Parliament General Assembly has convened for an emergency meeting, it is apparently under Police control.
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
- Prime Minister Erdogan is seeking asylum overseas
- Police and the military have clashed, reports of military personnel being detained
- Confirmed reports that some elements of the military have fired into civilian protestors
- Unconfirmed allegations that a battle is ensuing over national broadcast stations
- Not all of the military is in support of the takeover
- Some reports that pro-Erdogan F-16s have shot down a pro-coup helicopter
- US has taken the position to support Erdogan and his democratically elected government
- Commander of Istanbul's 3rd Corps orders troops to return to their barracks
- Civilians are now attacking those in the army who attempted the coup
- Reports of large explosions in the capital, Ankara
- Turkish Grand National Assembly under bombardment
- Erdogan has arrived at Ataturk International Airport, tanks are reportedly on the way to the location