Military Stages Coup In Ankara, Turkey

Military Stages Coup In Ankara, Turkey

A military group in Turkey has seized power and declared martial law in the streets of the capital city of Ankara, in an attempt to overthrow the Turkish democracy. So far, 42 have been reported dead in the takeover, with many citizens taking to the streets, climbing the tanks and physically fighting soldiers in resistance…

Via USA Today:

A Turkish military group, calling itself the Peace at Home Council, declared martial law, and said that it had taken control of the country.

The group accused Turkey’s democratically elected President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of treason, and said it aimed to protect Turkish democracy and the secular nature of the state.

With the attempted coup underway, Erdogan flew to Istanbul airport early Saturday morning.

Live television broadcasts showed chaotic confrontations early Saturday morning between military personnel and large groups of civilians, thousands of whom have been shown gathering in city squares and marching with Turkish flags. Police reportedly fired on and killed several people approaching a roadblock at a bridge in Istanbul.

NTV television quoted the prosecutor’s office in Ankara, saying at least 42 people have been killed in “attacks” in the capital.

Earlier, state-run Andolu Agency reported that 17 police officers were killed in a helicopter attack near Ankara. And Turkish broadcaster NTV reported that a helicopter controlled by the coup leaders was shot down by a Turkish military F-16.

This is insane. Hopefully they can reach some kind of resolution to all the madness before more lives are lost…

USA TODAY/Tolga Bozoglu, EPA