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Here's What We Know About The Attempted Military Coup In Turkey So Far

by Alexandra Svokos
Twitter

Update 9:08 am EST:

According to AP, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan flew home on Saturday and declared the coup over. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said 161 people were killed and 1,440 injured in the attempted military coup, which appeared to fail early Saturday when pro-government forces confronted the military. The death toll excludes the attackers, a source told the AP.

After returning from vacation, Erdoğan told crowds at Istanbul Atatürk Airport of those trying to overthrow the government,

They have pointed the people's guns against the people. The president, whom 52 percent of the people brought to power, is in charge. This government brought to power by the people is in charge.

Update 10:31 pm EST:

According to AP, the prosecutor's office in Ankara is reporting at least 42 people were killed during the attacks in the capital.

Update 9:59 pm EST:

According to AP, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that the prime minister has instructed Turkish forces to "eradicate" the militants exchanging gunfire from the air.

Update 9:13 pm EST:

Turkey's state-run news agency tweeted photos of Turkish citizens battling militants who sparked the attempted military coup in the streets of Istanbul.

Update 8:55 pm EST:

According to AP, gunfire has been exchanged between police and militants in Istanbul's Taksim Square. In addition to gunfire, a large explosion was heard.

Nearby residents have confirmed the sound of gunfire and explosives near Taksim Square in Istanbul.

Update 8:37 pm EST:

According to AP, a Turkish official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, is reporting that the military coup attempt appears to have been unsuccessful.

The report also states,

The senior official told The Associated Press all government officials are in charge of their offices, but cautioned that the chief of military staff hasn't appeared in public yet.

In a recent news broadcast, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told NTV,

The military commanders have made it clear that the coup plotters violated the chain of command... The people have shown that they stand in solidarity with democracy and the elected government.

Update 8:17 pm EST:

According to AP, the Anadolu Agency reports that a bomb as hit the Turkish parliament in Ankara. CNN's Turkish broadcast is reporting that several parliament staff workers and police officers were hurt during the attack. A nearby resident stated they had heard a massive explosion, but could not tell exactly where it came from at the moment of impact.

Update 7:13 pm EST:

According to AP, a total of 17 Turkish officers were reportedly killed during a helicopter attack on the outskirts of Ankara. The attack targeted the police special forces headquarters.

Update 7:03 pm EST

According to AP, soldiers have opened fire on people attempting to cross Istanbul's Bosporus bridge as part of their protest against the attempted military coup. Several of the people on the bridge were wounded during the incident.

In a tweet published by the State Department, it is said that President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have agreed that "all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected" government of Turkey and avoid further violence at all costs.

Update 5:35 pm EST

President Tayyip Erdogan spoke on television about the coup. He confirmed that the situation is ongoing but insisted that it will not be successful. He said he could not confirm if the army chief had been taken hostage.

The president urged citizens to protest in the streets to support the government.

Erdogan made this statement to the press via a phone video call.

Meanwhile, before Erdogan spoke, the military gave a statement that they had taken control.

Update 4:55 pm EST

There are reports of a hostage situation at the military headquarters in Ankara.

Flights to and from the Ataturk airport in Istanbul are reportedly canceled.

Original story

There is military action occurring in Turkey on Friday, although exactly what is happening is unclear.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said this is an attempted coup by members of the military.

Yilidrim said on NTV television, according to the Associated Press, that "it is correct that there was an attempt." However, at this time there are no confirmed details about what exactly happened.

Yilidrim was forceful in his comments. According to the New York Times, he said:

Some people illegally undertook an illegal action outside of the chain of command ... The government elected by the people remains in charge. This government will only go when the people say so.

However, the Turkish military put out a statement saying that they have taken over.

The prime minister said that security forces are going to "do what is necessary."

There was gunfire heard in the capital city of Ankara, Reuters reported. There are military jets and helicopters being flown around the city.

In Istanbul, both of the city's bridges were closed to traffic by military members.

People on Twitter reported seeing heavy military presence and tanks on the streets of Istanbul.

People in Istanbul are apparently being told by military officials to go home. They are reportedly being told there is a curfew in the city.

This story is developing and will be updated as more details become available.

Citations: Turkey quashes coup; Erdogan vows 'heavy price' for plotters (AP), Reuters