Attempted coup in Turkey as the United States and United Kingdom issue warnings to their citizens

There are mixed feeds from Turkey as the Turkish Armed Forces strike to take over the reigns of power Friday night. 

The situation is currently intense as some groups of the Armed Force are strategically occupying certain sections of the country with fighter jets maneuvering around the Turkish airspace. Shootings have been witnessed close to the Presidential Palace after a military helicopter opened fire right above the palace. Two major bridges in Ankara, the Bosphorous and Faith Sultan Mehmet,  have been blocked off. In fact, the country is in turmoil as shots have been fired off tanks and helicopters in a build up of a heavy fighting between forces loyal to the government and the coup plotters. 

Prior to the maneuvering and shootings, it was broadcast intimating the public that the country is now ruled by a "Peace Council".

Sponsored Link

According to the statement released by the DHA, the seize of power is "with the aim of reinstalling the constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedom, to make rule of rule pervade again, to re-establish the ruined public order." However, despite the power takeover, the DHA reaffirmed the commitment of the leadership to abide by all existing international agreements and commitment. "All international agreements and promises are valid. We hope our good relations with all global countries goes on," the statement reads.

In a contrasting reaction, the Prime Minister Binalu Yildirim stated that "some people illegally undertook an illegal action outside  of the chain of command." He however stated that "the government elected by the people remains in charge. This government will only go when the people say so." He ascribed the "confusion to the "illegal acts of some people from among the military," but reaffirmed the commitment of the nation and its citizens not to allow "any act that would harm democracy" in the country.

The President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is not however in the state capital as the events unfold. However, he had addressed news men and media houses from his vacation location at the Mediterranean resort town of Marmaris where he stated that Turkey "will overcome this", while noting that those behind the act would pay a "heavy price" for it.

United States have issued an official statement suspending all flights to Istanbul or any of the Turkish cities. The statement warns all citizens of the United States to take shelter, "monitor the local media for updates, avoid areas of conflict and exercise caution." They are also warned not to attempt going to the US embassy or consulate at this time.

UK Foreign Affairs Secretary Boris Johnson has also released a statement advising Brits to follow the advice of the FCO, as the Foreign Office and the UK Embassy continue to closely monitor the situation.

Meanwhile Turkey has been cut off from all social media as Twitter, Facebook and other grapevines are currently not accessible. Only phone lines are still active. The coup plotters are also making attempts to take over tv stations as CNN Turk is currently under the control of the coup plotters as well as other local networks.