Featured Image Credit: PA Images
Turkey was in chaos in the early hours of Saturday morning amid an attempted military coup.
Conflicting reports flooded out of the country and it was unclear whether the rebellion had ended in success or failure.
Statements from both the state and the apparent military faction attempting the coup sent mixed messages throughout the night.
Amid the disorder, here is what we know has happened in Turkey through Friday night and Saturday morning.
- A faction of Turkey's military announces it has taken over the country's government and has imposed martial law.
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks out via social media following the Turkish military declaration in the capital city, Ankara. The President is away from Istanbul on holiday. President Erdoğan encourages the Turkish population to take to the streets in protest.
- Istanbul's Ataturk Airport is closed and all flights were cancelled. Road traffic is also stopped from crossing the two bridges across Istanbul.
- Turkish state television was taken off air before returning with a statement from the military group attempting a coup.
- Social Media posts and video from Istanbul and Ankara apparently showed aircraft, tanks, and crowds in streets around Turkey. This included clashes between pro and anti-coup military groups at Istanbul's Taksim Square.
- The Associated Press reports that, according to a Turkish official, the coup appears to have been unsuccessful and government officials remain in charge.
- Two bombs reportedly hit the Turkish parliament building in Ankara.
- President Erdoğan returns by plane to Istanbul, according to a Turkish official.
- A group of soldiers raid the studios of the CNN Turk news channel and take it off the air.
Image Credit: PA Images
