What happened in Turkey? Everything we know about military coup attempt to overthrow Erdogan
More than 160 dead; tanks on the streets; warplanes circling Ankara; government claims it has regained control and arrested 1,563 mutinous soldiers
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Your support makes all the difference.More than 160 people have been killed and over 1,000 have been wounded in an attempted military coup in Turkey.
After a night of chaotic and confusing developments, with tanks appearing on the streets and warplanes circling above the capital Ankara, it appears that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has regained control – but the situation remains confused and uncertain.
Here is what we know so far:
:: 161 reported dead and 1,100 wounded in an attempted military coup in Turkey.
:: As dawn broke on Saturday morning President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared to have regained control – but he had still not left Istanbul airport.
:: There was also a lack of clarity about who was in control of military headquarters in Ankara.
:: Reports of a military coup started emerging at about 11pm Turkish time on Saturday night.
:: General Hulusi Akar, Turkey’s military chief of staff, taken hostage.
:: Rebel soldiers took over strategic points in Istanbul. TV news anchor made to go on air and keep repeating: “The political administration that has lost all legitimacy and has been forced to withdraw.”
:: Tanks on the streets. Warplanes flying over the Turkish capital Ankara. Reports of heavy gunfire in front of the Turkish parliament building in Ankara.
:: Coup leaders issue statement: “Turkish armed forces have completely taken over the administration to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and the general security that was damaged.”
:: President Erdogan thought to have been on holiday, possibly at Marmaris. He has to use a mobile phone and FaceTime video chat to give interviews claiming he is still in control.
:: He eventually manages to get to the airport at Istanbul early on Saturday morning.
:: Civilians take to the streets to protest against the coup. One group of Erdogan supporters climb on to a tank near Istanbul’s Ataturk airport. Another man lies down in front of a tank.
:: Fighter jets reported to have shot down a military helicopter used by the plotters.
:: 8.35am Turkish time: Military chief General Akar reportedly rescued in an operation launched at an air base in the outskirts of Ankara. He is now said to have taken command of the operation against the coup.
:: 9.40am: Senior Turkish official reported as saying 1,563 military personnel have been detained across Turkey as the government appears to be defeating the coup.
:: Turkish broadcaster NTV reports that 2,745 judges have been removed from their offices following the coup attempt.
:: General Umit Dundar, the newly appointed acting chief of the general staff, gives the death toll as: 41 police officers, 2 soldiers, 47 civilians, 104 "coup plotters" - a total of 194 dead.
:: Later reports put the death toll at 265, before it was revised downards to 161.
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