Turkey's Erdogan Declares Coup Over After Clashes Kill Dozens
The Turkish military said it "fully seized control" of the country, but President Erdogan called for its people to "gather in our squares"
•
Turkey's president declared he is in control of the NATO country early Saturday as loyal military and police forces fought to squash a coup attempt during a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire that left dozens dead, NBC News reported.
A faction of the armed forces attempted to seize power using tanks and attack helicopters, some strafing the headquarters of Turkish intelligence and parliament in Ankara, others seizing a major bridge in Istanbul.
At least 194 people were killed in clashes, Gen. Umit Dundar told a press conference. He said that figure included 47 civilians, 41 police officers, two soldiers and 104 alleged coup plotters. An additional 1,154 people were injured.
The coup attempt crumbled after crowds answered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call to take to the streets and dozens of rebels abandoned their tanks. Government officials blamed the unrest on a U.S.-based Islamist cleric.
People appear in the streets during an attempted military coup in Ankara, Turkey, on July 16, 2016, in this photo provided by Turkish state-run photo agency Anadolu Agency.
AFP/Getty Images
A military tank drives past during a coup attempt at entrance to the Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul early Saturday, July 16, 2016.
AP
Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim Square amid an attempted coup early Saturday, July 16, 2016.
A man covered with blood stands near the Bosphorus bridge as Turkish military face off with people at the entrance to the bridge amid unrest in Istanbul and Turkey on Saturday, July 16, 2016.
A tank moves into position as Turkish people attempt to stop them, in Ankara, Turkey, early Saturday, July 16, 2016.
People march in the streets in Ankara, Turkey, on Saturday, July 16, 2016, in this photo provided by Turkish state-run media organization Anadolu Agency.
Fighter jets flew low over Turkey on Friday, July 15, 2016. One is seen in this photo provided by Turkish state-run photo agency Anadolu Agency.
Turkish Army tanks move in the streets in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 16, 2016, in Ankara, Turkey.
People take a Turkish soldier to police at Taksim Square in Istanbul on Saturday, July 16, 2016.
Turkish security officers detain police officers (in black) on Friday, July 15, 2016 in Istanbul, during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge.
People wave flags during a military coup attempt in Bursa, Turkey, on Saturday, July 16, 2016, in this photo provided by Turkish state-run media organization Anadolu Agency.
People carry a man shot during clashes with Turkish military at the entrance to the Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday, July 16, 2016.
Getty Images
Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan march in the streets of Istanbul in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 16, 2016.
People protest in Tokat, Turkey, after a military coup attempt on Saturday, July 16, 2016, in this photo provided by Turkish state-run media organization Anadolu Agency.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
People hang Turkish flags during the reaction to a military coup attempt in Izmir, Turkey, on Saturday, July 16, 2016, in this photo provided by Turkish state-run media organization Anadolu Agency.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Protesters fill the streets in Ankara, Turkey, on Saturday, July 16, 2016, in this photo provided by Turkish state-run media organization Anadolu Agency.
Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan chant slogans in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 16, 2016 in Istanbul.
Police officers stand guard near the Turkish military headquarters, Friday, July 15, 2016, in Ankara, Turkey.
Reacting to an attempted coup, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks on CNNTurk via a Facetime call on Friday, July 15, 2016, in Istanbul.
Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge on Friday, July 15, 2016, in Istanbul. Istanbul's bridges across the Bosphorus, the strait separating the European and Asian sides of the city, were closed to traffic.
Turkish people attempt to stop tanks moving into position, in Ankara, Turkey, late Friday, July 15, 2016.
Marchers fill the streets during a military coup attempt in Bursa, Turkey on Saturday, July 16, 2016, in this photo provided by Turkish state-run media organization Anadolu Agency.
Amid an attempted coup, Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's iconic Bosporus Bridge on Friday, July 15, 2016, lit in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with the victims of Thursday's attack in Nice, France.
Istanbul's iconic Bosporus Bridge was blocked by a group within Turkey's military in Istanbul, Friday, July 15, 2016, according to Turkey's prime minister, in an attempted coup.
A Turkish security officer stands on guard on the side of the road on Friday, July 15, 2016, in Istanbul, during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge.
President Barack Obama urged all sides in Turkey to support the democratically elected government. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and called for respect for democracy.
Erdogan and other officials blamed the attempted coup on followers of Fethullah Gulen, an influential cleric in self-imposed exile in the U.S. who once supported Erdogan but became a nemesis.
The U.S. State Department urged Americans in Turkey not to attempt reaching the U.S. Embassy or consulates, telling them instead to "shelter in place." President Barack Obama discussed the events with Secretary of State John Kerry, and they agreed "the democratically-elected Government of Turkey" should be supported by people in Turkey, according to a White House statement.
Shots fired & explosions heard in #Ankara. Both bridges in Istanbul (Bosphorous & Fatih Sultan Mehmet) closed. Continue to shelter in place.
