Plain-clothes police officers detain an anti-government protester at Taksim Square in central Istanbul. (Photo: Public Domain)
July 15, 2016
The Turkish military, in an effort to preserve “democratic order,” has staged a coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regime.
According to Huff Post, “The Turkish military declared late Friday that it had taken over the country, triggering confusion and terror across the nation.”
The Turkish Capital, Ankara, was stormed by troops as gunfire boomed and jets thundered overhead.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, however, has vowed that the government would not allow this to happen. “Some people illegally undertook an illegal action outside of the chain of command. The government elected by the people remains in charge. This government will only go when people say so.”
A Turkish correspondent told Reuters that “Soldiers had entered TRT (TRT World television channel) buildings in Ankara.” Later an announcement was read on TRT that military were professing “democratic and secular rule of law had been eroded by the current government. A new constitution would be prepared as soon as possible…but for now, martial law is in effect.”
As the coup unfolds, Secretary of State John Kerry urges any American citizens in Turkey to seek shelter and stay indoors as all national police in Turkey are being summoned to duty in Ankara.
The Silent Soldier 