Turkey army group announces takeover on TV 2 minutes ago From the sectionEurope Share please log in to view this image Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES Image captionThe Bosphorus bridge was blocked off by military units 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. 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. please log in to view this image Image copyrightAFP Image captionThis image purports to show police officers detained by a military unit 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.
Turkish military declares martial law Posted at22:13 The Turkish military has declared martial law and imposed a curfew, an announcer on state-run broadcaster TRT says. 'Military broadcast statement on television' Posted at22:15 A statement has been out on state television. It is not clear who the statement was by, amid reports that the army chief was being held. Turkey to be ruled by 'peace council' - military Posted at22:15 Continuing to read the military's statement, the TRT announcer says Turkey's democratic and secular rule of law has been eroded by the current government, Reuters reports. The country is now run by a "peace council" that will ensure the safety of the population, the announcer adds. A new constitution will be prepared "as soon as possible". Mental. Hope nobody has family there. Nobody off here there is there?
Oh for love of Erdogan calls on Turks to take to streets Posted at22:30 In his first comments today, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tells CNN Turk, in a telephone interview, that this is an act encouraged by a "parallel structure". He says the coup attempt will be given the "necessary response" and calls on Turkish people to go out on the streets.
Just watching it now, looks like it's not the generals but those below them. Gonna be scary what happens over the next few hours. It's not what is wanted in that part of the world right now.
Relatively well orchestrated coup - EU source Posted at22:35 A European Union source tells the Reuters news agency: "It looks like a relatively well orchestrated coup by a substantial body of the military, not just a few colonels." "They control several strategic points in Istanbul. Given the scale of the operation, it is difficult to imagine they will stop short of prevailing," the source adds.
22:38 Turkish state broadcaster TRT has gone off air in the last few minutes, Reuters reports. Earlier, soldiers reportedly took control of its offices and an announcer read out a statement declaring martial law.
All over the news with constant updates. Off to bed now so will catch up in morning. Night night all.
Hopefully mate. He's got his sister out there who's disabled so she'll need to be back home, really. She receives 24 hour care. I'm sure they'll be fine. Cheers
A report on ITN say that the military have took control of the country in what has effectively been a military coup. Turkey is now under martial law.
