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On 15 July 2016, a coup d'état attempt in Turkey was launched. The ongoing coup attempt was confirmed by both Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Alleged to have been orchestrated by a faction within the Armed Forces, the perpetrators announced the creation of a Peace Council that would be the governing body of the country.
Background
Further information: History of the Republic of Turkey See also: Sledgehammer (coup plan)Since the modern state of Turkey was established in 1923, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) have staged coups three times—in 1960, 1971, and 1980—and in 1997 intervened via a military memorandum. The military historically has viewed itself as guardian of the state established since Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, although in the years leading up to the 2016 coup attempt, the (later discredited) Ergenekon trials took place, in which Turkey's civilian leaders were viewed as establishing dominance over the military.
On 13 July, less than two days before the coup was launched, Erdoğan signed a bill giving Turkish soldiers immunity from prosecution while taking part in domestic security operations, requiring cases against commanders to be approved by the prime minister, while cases against lower-ranking soldiers may be signed off by district governors. The immunity bill was seen as part of a détente between the government and the Armed Forces, while the latter have increasingly been taking over the military operations in the Kurdish-inhabited areas from police and paramilitary units.
Events
On 15 July 2016, as reported just before 11 PM local time, military jets were heard and seen flying over Ankara, and both the Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Bosphorus bridges in Istanbul in the direction of Anatolia to Europe were closed.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said military action was being "taken outside the chain of command" and it was an "illegal attempt" to seize power by "part of the military". He further said that those involved "will pay the highest price". Local media also reported tanks in Istanbul's Atatürk Airport. It has been reported that Internet users within Turkey have been blocked from accessing Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. But Twitter later claimed that they "have no reason to think we’ve been fully blocked". Some hostages have been taken at military headquarters, including the Turkish Chief of the General Staff Hulusi Akar. The military also entered the Justice and Development Party's offices in Istanbul and asked people to leave.
A statement issued by the Turkish Armed Forces read: "Turkish Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and general security that was damaged. All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue." They stated that they had "done so to preserve democratic order, and that the rule of law must remain a priority". The First Army General Command in İstanbul claimed that the TSK did not support the coup and the perpetrators represented a very small faction that were on the verge of being taken under control.
At 21:02 UTC it was reported by Reuters that Turkish soldiers were inside the buildings of the Turkish state broadcaster, the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) in Ankara. After the military seized control, the military read out a statement saying that "the democratic and secular rule of law has been eroded by current government" and that Turkey was now led by a "peace council" who would "ensure safety of the population." TRT was taken off air.
Istanbul Atatürk Airport has been closed; all flights to and from the airport have been cancelled.
The military has claimed that a new constitution would be prepared "as soon as possible." An explosion in the TRT broadcasting headquarters and gunfire has been reported in Ankara.
Tanks have opened fire near the Turkish Parliament Building.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
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Early reports stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was safe in Marmaris where he had been on holiday. The Presidency issued a statement claiming that forces loyal to Fethullah Gülen and his Hizmet Movement were at the helm of the coup attempt. Erdoğan himself issued a statement calling on Turks to defy the military-imposed curfew and take to the streets in defiance in a FaceTime interview with CNN Türk, while reports alleged that he had fled the country in a private jet.
Reactions
- Domestic
The Turkish Presidential office stated that President Erdoğan was on holiday outside Turkey and safe, and condemned the coup attempt as an attack on democracy. A presidential source also stated that Erdoğan and his government are still in power. Talking to a television news programme via FaceTime, Erdoğan called on Turkish people to go out on the streets. Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus appeared on live television, stating that Turkey's ruling AK Party is still in charge of the government. The mayor of Ankara, Melih Gökçek (AKP) encouraged people to go out to the city's streets in defiance, despite a curfew imposed by military.
- International
Canada – Canadian Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion tweeted that he was "concerned" and urged for "calm, order, safety of Turkish citizens".
Russia – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made a statement and said that it is important to "avoid bloodshed" in Turkey and that "any issues should be settled within a constitutional framework".
United Kingdom – UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tweeted that he was "very concerned by events unfolding in Turkey," and that the British embassy was monitoring the situation closely. He advised British citizens to follow the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for advice.
United States – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he "hopes for stability, peace, continuity in Turkey." Also, President Barack Obama is being updated on the situation. The United States Embassy in Ankara issued an Emergency Message, urging U.S. citizens in Turkey to "contact family and friends to let them know you are safe," also noting to "monitor local press for updates, avoid areas of conflict, and exercise caution if you are in the vicinity of any military or security forces."
- Supranational
European Union - Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, tweeted that she was "in constant contact" with the EU delegations in Ankara & Brussels, and called for "restraint and respect for democratic institutions."
See also
- List of coups d'état and coup attempts since 2010
- List of modern conflicts in the Middle East
- Martial law
References
- Serhan, Krishnadev Calamur, Matt Vasilogambros, J. Weston Phippen, David A. Graham, and Yasmeen. "What's Going On in Turkey?". theatlantic.com. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - LeVine, Steve. "A reclusive religious scholar in Pennsylvania may be behind the attempted coup in Turkey". qz.com. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "Turkish Military Says It Has Seized Control From Ankara Government". Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "Turkey coup attempt: military claims takeover of government – live". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "Turkish army 'takes over power'". BBC News. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- ^ "1. Ordu Komutanı'ndan açıklama!" [Explanation from the commander of the 1st Army !]. haber7.com (in Turkish). 16 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "Turkey 'coup': Live updates as explosion and gunfire reported in capital Ankara – Mirror Online".
- ^ Arango, Tim; Yeginsu, Ceylan (15 July 2016). "Military Attempts Coup in Turkey, Prime Minister Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- Hannah Lucinda Smith (15 July 2016). "Erdogan gives Turkish military immunity". The Times. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- Suzan Fraser. "Turkish military says it 'fully seized control' of country". Associated Press. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "Turkey coup: military attempt to seize power from Erdogan as low flying jets and gunfire heard in Ankara and bridges across Bosphorus in Istanbul closed".
- "Turkish Prime Minister Reports Coup Attempt". WSJ. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- "Turkey's Prime Minister Says Attempted Military Coup Underway – BuzzFeed News".
- ^ "Turkey army group announces takeover on TV". BBC News. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- "Turkish military seizes power according to media reports; jets flyover Ankara, Istanbul's bridges closed — Quartz".
- Twitter global policy team (15 July 2016). "We have no reason to think we've been fully blocked in #Turkey, but we suspect there is an intentional slowing of our traffic in country" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
{{cite web}}:|author1=has generic name (help) - "Live: Turkey coup". Daily Telegraph. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - @SkyNewsBreak (15 July 2016). "Update – Turkish media reports soldiers have entered #Turkey's ruling party's #Istanbul offices and have asked people to leave" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Turkish military has said in a statement that the military has taken over". The Jerusalem Post. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- "All flights from Istanbul's Ataturk airport canceled: Reuters witness". Reuters.
- "Paralel'den darbe girişimi! - Haber 10 - Haberler - Güncel ve Son Dakika Haberleri". haber10.com.
- Rkaina, Sam (15 July 2016). "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 'flees country' in private jet". mirror.co.uk.
- "Erdoğan'dan ilk açıklama: Milletimizi meydanlara davet ediyorum; en ağır bedeli ödeyecekler!". t24.com.tr.
- Ceylan Yeginsu (15 July 2016). "Erdogan making a statement on facetime right now" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Canadian travellers in Turkey advised to contact embassy amid military coup". Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- @WestWingReport (15 July 2016). "White House says President has been briefed on "the unfolding situation in Turkey" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- United States Embassy in Ankara, Turkey (15 July 2016). "Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Shots Heard in Ankara, Bridges Closed in Istanbul". Messages for US Citizens. United States Government. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
We urge U.S. citizens to contact family and friends to let them know you are safe.
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| Other incidents and trials |
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| Turkey Portal | |