President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the people of Turkey on Friday to avert the military coup, after rebel soldiers hijacked an aircraft and dropped bombs and fire shots at civilians across Istanbul and Ankara in an attempt to seize control. The military took to the streets to terrorise residence as well.
The military released a statement that it has taken over from democratic order but will ensure human rights remain, and all foreign relations will continue.
(A pro-government crowd comes face-to-face with the rebels, undeterred by the gun shots)
Majority of the military continues to support Erdogan. A total of 1,563 military officers detained across the country. Some 200 soldiers have surrendered before the government as well. The government jumped into action to shift the intelligence chief and the head of the military to secure locations. The military head was held hostage at the military headquarters for a brief period.
The Turkish parliament is sitting for extraordinary session to take stock of the situation. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took to Apple’s FaceTime to rally support from the citizens to overcome the coup. This was as he was in an undisclosed location when the incident began. He flew into Istanbul within hours.
“I have never recognized any power above the will of the people. The actions are an attempt at an uprising by a minority within our armed forces,” Erdogan said later in a press conference. “What is being perpetrated is a rebellion and a treason. They will pay a heavy price for their treason to Turkey.”
He blamed the coup on the followers of exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is based in Pennsylvania, US. He said his “Hizmet” movement is regularly accused of going against the government. 29 colonels and 5 generals have been removed from their posts.
Foreign ministers across the world issued warnings to their nationals to refrain from leaving their houses in Turkey. The Indian ministry of external affairs tweeted helpline numbers for Ankara (+905303142203) and Istanbul (+905305671095).
Indian nationals in Turkey : Pl avoid public places and stay indoors.
Helpline : Ankara: +905303142203 Istanbul: +905305671095
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 16, 2016
Our Embassy in Ankara advises Indian nationals in Turkey to avoid public places and remain indoors until the situation there becomes clearer
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) July 15, 2016
We hv been closely following the dev’s in #Turkey India calls upon all sides 2 support democracy & mandate of the ballot, & avoid bloodshed.
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) July 16, 2016
