Caption: The people quell the coup in its early stages. Credit: Getty
*Warning: two images used are graphic*
The attempt to take the country by force by a faction of the Turkish military has failed.
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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday told civilians to line the streets in protest against the uprising in a Face Time appeal, and it appears his call to action has been heard.
Erdoğan appealed to the Turkish people via Face Time. Credit: Getty
This has tragically had consequences as military personnel involved in the attempted coup, police and civilians are among the dead after a night of bloodshed.
The last 12 hrs have been the craziest of my life. This is the street where I do my shopping! (Uskudar, Istanbul)
News broke yesterday of the attempted coup, with a faction of Turkey's military claiming it had taken control of the country. The group also took control of state TV and the airport was in lock-down. Furthermore, the Bosporus Bridge and Sultan Mehmet Bridge were also held by the military faction initiating the coup.
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Since then, reports have suggested that the people in general were strongly against the uprising and lined the streets to protest. This quickly escalated into violence, with military personnel beaten and some of the military involved in the attempted uprising also opening fire on civilians.
Detained number of military personnel allegedly backing the #Turkey coup has jumped to 1,563. Widespread talk of a 'purge' of army to come.
A lot of the people killed were also police officers after an exchange with a helicopter, according to Turkey's NTV. The police fought against the uprising.
Ankara based photojournalist, Piero Castellano, explained that although the Turkish people had been receptive to the Turkish military in the past, he was not expecting those holding the uprising to shoot at their own civilians when public perception turned sour.
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"People rushed to the main square, to rush to the tanks and the armoured carriers - it was a bloodbath. It was unexpected.
"There is a very strong link, or maybe there was until last night, there was a very strong link between the Turkish people and their military.
"So people were shocked when the military actually fired on the crowd."
Civilians attend the wounded after a night of bloodshed. Credits: Getty
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People loyal to Erdoğan flocked to the streets. Credit: NYT
The airport and bridges have since been returned to the government in power and President Erdoğan returned last night in a triumphant mood, while also uttering a rhetoric of violence, stating:
"What is being perpetrated is a rebellion and a treason. They will pay a heavy price for their treason to Turkey."
Around 60 rebel soldiers were arrested at Bosporus Bridge and, so far, 1,563 military personnel have been detained.
The military involved in the attempted uprising surrendered to military personnel loyal to Erdoğan. Credit: CNN
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Erdoğan has blamed his rival, Fethullah Gulen, for the attempted uprising. Muslim cleric Gulen is generally regarded as promoting a progressive form of Islam and is often used as a scapegoat by Erdoğan when unrest takes place. He addressed Gulen directly, who is currently in self-exile in Pennsylvania:
"Now I'm addressing those in Pennsylvania.
"The betrayal you have shown to this nation and to this community, that's enough. If you have the courage, come back to your country. If you can. You will not have the means to turn this country into a mess from where you are."
At this time, there is no evidence to suggest Gulen had any input into the orchestration and implementation of the attempted coup. Gulen has also condemned the attempted uprising.
Erdoğan has come under criticism for being perceived by many as a hard-line Islamist, wishing to restrict freedom within the country. This, ironically, includes restricting the media and freedom of speech on social media channels, something which, it appears, actually saved him from the coup. This irony was not lost on ITV's Robert Peston.
If it turns out Erdogan's appeal via Skype & Twitter to the people to save him have in fact saved him, well that would be ironic
There are also reports coming in regularly that gunfire has been seen or heard around Ankara, including recently at the Ministry of Interior building.
The very latest, official report, from the Turkish government, is that the attempted coup is now over.
If you're in Turkey and no matter what your views, keep safe.
Words Patrick Hulbert
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Turkey