Turkey: the military take power but Erdogan reacts. Failed coup

(To drafting)
15/07/16

Coup attempt in Turkey. At 21 pm (local time) on July 15, some "unauthorized" army units block traffic on the two main road bridges that connect Asia and Europe on the Bosphorus near Istanbul. The headquarters of TRT, the Turkish state TV, is occupied, immediately blacked out.

The first information released by the international news agencies CNN and Reuters speak of soldiers and tanks on the street and of airports closed with all flights canceled. 

A Turkish official who preferred to remain anonymous said that soldiers from the Turkish army were mobilized and deployed in both Ankara and Istanbul.

The Dogan News Agency reported that all the policemen on duty in Ankara have been mobilized.

On social networks, there are disturbing videos of airborne targets and of jets flying over Istanbul and Ankara at a very low altitude.

The coup, organized at the highest levels by the Turkish General Staff, is confirmed with the following message: "The armed forces have regained control to restore the constitutional order, human rights, freedom, legality and general security that has been compromised. All international agreements will be recognized. We trust that good international relations will continue".

While the Army Chief of Staff is being held under arrest, President Erdogan appears at 23.30 pm (Italian time) calling the citizens to defend "democracy". Erdogan himself is fled on a plane in an attempt to seek political asylum.

At 23.50 pm groups of Turks praising Erdogan head towards strategic centers manned by the military. Factions for and against Erdogan clash in the street. At 0,30 witnesses confirm that crowds of loyalists challenge the military. Despite the dozens of policemen who have fallen in the last few hours, the coup soldiers seem not to open fire on fellow citizens who contest them. Mystery on Erdogan's position: in Turkey or flying abroad? 

At 1,30 am the state TV returns to Erdogan's loyalists. MIT, the Turkish intelligence since the first hour remained loyal to the government, defines the coup as "failed".

All '1,45 the coup attempt appears to have failed. There was no popular uprising against Erdogan and the coup military desist from using force against fellow citizens. 

At the 1.55: The Turkish Interior Minister declares the coup attempt ended. Erdogan promises that justice will be done and that the guilty will be punished. 

After hours of silence, Washington congratulates the Turkish President for safeguarding democracy.

(photo: Twitter)