This article has been updated below
(ANTIMEDIA) Turkey — The government of Turkey is currently under siege amid a military coup. The Turkish government is claiming the coup has been unsuccessful, though military officials are claiming success. Statements from the military’s new ruling “Peace Council” suggest the reason behind the coup is Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “autocratic rule.” The Turkish government has recently been criticized for shifting in the direction of authoritarianism and hardline Islamism, waging crackdowns against press and dissidents.
A statement from the military Peace Council reads:
“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 the general security that was damaged. All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue.”
Top government officials are believed to be held hostage at government administrative locations. These developments are of great interest to the west, considering Turkey is a member of NATO and plays a key role in geopolitical affairs in the Middle East.
Watch the live coverage below [updates below video]:
Reports that F16 firing at police HQ in Ankara #Turkey
— Amberin Zaman (@amberinzaman) July 15, 2016
UPDATE 1: Turkish access to Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks has reportedly been interrupted.
Twitter: ‘We suspect there is an intentional slowing of our traffic’ in Turkey https://t.co/DxYQFATIIT
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) July 15, 2016
Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook are being blocked in #Turkey use #Tor! pic.twitter.com/U2gTsDlNxs
— Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) July 15, 2016
UPDATE 2: According to POLITICO, Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday said he hopes “there will be stability and peace and continuity within Turkey” following reports of a potential military coup attempt.
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UPDATE 3: Communicating via FaceTime, President Erdogan urged “the Turkish people to gather at public squares and airports. […] There is no power higher than the power of the people.”
Erdoğan addressing the nation like this #Turkey pic.twitter.com/Y7UYjazQZN
— Amberin Zaman (@amberinzaman) July 15, 2016
UPDATE 4:
Martial law and a curfew have been imposed in Turkey.
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) July 15, 2016
UPDATE 5:
Gunfire heard on bridge over Bosphorus, Istanbul as military coup unfolds in Turkey https://t.co/kmgak0Sgku https://t.co/YveH01ZF9w
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) July 15, 2016
UPDATE 6:
RTRS – TANKS OPEN FIRE AROUND TURKISH PARLIAMENT BUILDING – REUTERS WITNESS
— Eric Burroughs (@ericbeebo) July 15, 2016
UPDATE 7: Early photos and videos from the ground in Turkey.
First videos of Turkey’s military coup: Tanks on streets, military jets in skies (VIDEOS, PHOTOS) https://t.co/8316ldCce5
— RT (@RT_com) July 15, 2016
UPDATE 8: Protesters have flooded the streets — though it’s unclear whether they are supporting President Erdogan or supporting the coup.
UPDATE 9:
Turkish state-owned media was forcibly cleared by armed men & the staff’s phones were taken https://t.co/gT98Wvimmg pic.twitter.com/avQIEHAqdq
— Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) July 15, 2016
UPDATE 10: Flights into Turkey are being canceled amid reports of military takeover of major airports.
Today on ATN: All flights to Istanbul are cancelled after the coup in Turkey: All flights to Istanbul are can… https://t.co/Rza82tey9u
— Air Transport News (@AirTransportNew) July 15, 2016
UPDATE 11: Unconfirmed reports of coup-backing military clashing with police. 17 police deaths reported but unconfirmed. Several coup-backers arrested by police.
Retweeted Gissur Simonarson CN (@GissiSim):
Police now arresting the Army. #Turkey has gone crazy – @AboShla5Libr… pic.twitter.com/qpn615uNi9
— SpyridonAdam (@SpyridonAdam) July 15, 2016
UPDATE 12: Turkish state-run media reports that the Turkish parliament building has been bombed.
UPDATE 13: Turkish government claims to have regained control as rumors circulate that the coup attempt has failed.
UPDATE 14: President Erdogan has appeared in a television statement from the Istanbul airport saying the coup attempt has failed and the perpetrators will be punished severely.
FINAL UPDATE [11:35 AM PST 7/16/2016]: The coup has failed and Erdogan had begun purging the opposition.
READ NEXT: Worst Nightmare Scenario Emerges in Aftermath of Failed Turkish Coup
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