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
(Telegraph.UK)– Celebratory gunfire in Damascus after report of coup in Turkey
1043 PM- Celebratory gunfire was heard in Damascus early on Saturday after Turkey’s army said it had seized power from President Tayyip Erdogan, one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s main regional opponents.
Witnesses said people also took to the streets in the Syrian capital and in the government-held section of the northern city of Aleppo.
‘We will not tolerate attempts to undermine our democracy’
10:40 PM- Presidential statement:
Turkey’s democratically elected president and government are in power. We will not tolerate attempts to undermine our democracy.
The illegal statement is being made by the Council for Peace in the Homeland — not the Turkish Armed Forces.
The President is in a secure location as per government protocol. A statement will be made shortly.
The President is Turkey’s commander in chief. The Turkish people, regardless of their political affiliation, will stand against this blatant attack against our democracy.
We welcome the commitment of opposition parties, which expressed their objections to the coup attempt, to democracy.
Palpable shock in Istanbul
The atmosphere in Istanbul was one of palpable shock, Zia Weisereports.
As military helicopters circled above the city centre and soldiers locked down roads, bridges and airport, people flocked to the streets.
Then, as it became clear that the military was attempting a takeover, some relaxed – and others panicked.
Revellers enjoying a Friday night beer in Taksim hurried home, while dozens lined up at every ATM in the upscale Cihangir neighbourhood.
Soldiers surrounded Taksim Square, appearing calm, but while some shouted in anger at them, others broke out in applause and chanted the name of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Turkish Republic’s founder.
“The current government is so bad, a lot of people expected a military takeover. I don’t know if I’m happy about this but it can’t be worse,” said Murat, who applauded the soldiers.
Another woman shouted, laughing: “The AKP is finished!” A young woman screamed: “Traitors!”
The divide in reaction might hint at what is to come. Few expected a military coup, as, after decades of military rule in the second half of the 1950, public opinion is considered as unfavourable to a takeover.