ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The Latest on the attempted military coup in Turkey (all times local): 8:55 p.m. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the United States to extradite a Muslim cleric he accuses of being behind Turkey’s failed coup attempt.In a televised speech on Saturday night, Erdogan said as Turkey’s strategic partner Washington should meet the demand for the extradition of Pennsylvania-based Fethullah Gulen. Erdogan said Turkey had never turned back any extradition request for «terrorists» by the United States.
NATO’s chief says all alliance personnel and military units in Turkey are «safe and secure» following the attempted coup. Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary-general, said Saturday he had spoken to NATO’s supreme commander, U.S. Army Gen. Curtis M. Scapparrotti.»He confirms that all NATO personnel and units in Turkey are safe and secure,» Stoltenberg said in a post on Twitter.The alliance chief also tweeted that he welcomed «the strong support shown by the people and all political parties to democracy and to the democratically elected gov of Turkey.»
People in the streets
People gather to protest against a coup(Ap Picture) outside Turkey’s parliament near the Turkish military headquarters in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, July 16, 2016. Forces loyal to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan quashed a coup attempt in a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire that left dozens dead Saturday. Authorities arrested thousands of people as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed those responsible «will pay a heavy price for their treason.» A portrait of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears(Ap Picture) on a billboard in Tunali Hilmi Street in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, July 16, 2016. Forces loyal to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan quashed a coup attempt in a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire that left dozens dead Saturday. Authorities arrested thousands of people as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed those responsible «will pay a heavy price for their treason.»
First goal to sease control
A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations, said Turkey «has been preparing a formal application with detailed information about Gulen’s involvement in illegal activities. After last night we have one more thing to add to an already extensive list, reports Associated Press writer Dominique Soguel in Istanbul. A Turkish senior official says that Akin Ozturk, a former air force commander, is one of the «masterminds of the coup.» He says initial evidence suggests ties between the failed coup’s masterminds, including Ozturk and the Gulenist Movement. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government rules. The official said Erdal Teczan, a Constitutional Court judge, had been detained over his alleged participation in the coup plot.
He said the masterminds’ immediate goal was to seize control of key areas including Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge and Taksim Square. They also sought to take down satellite infrastructure and seize telecommunications hubs, reports Associated Press writer Dominique Soguel in Istanbul
Strong tensions
Tensions between Russia and Turkey have been strong since last year when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the border with Syria. However, relations appeared to be moving toward repair after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued an apology for the incident last month.As Prime Minister Binali Yildirim addressed crowds who gathered outside parliament, some of those assembled began to shout, «We want the death penalty! We want the death penalty!» They were referring to plotters of the attempted coup.Yildirim responded: «We got your message. The necessary will be done.»Turkey scrapped the death penalty more than a decade ago.
The prime minister also asked the crowds to walk to Ankara’s main square nearby and remain in the streets to keep a second night of «watch for democracy.» Turkey’s state-run news agency says the commander of the country’s second army has been arrested as part of an investigation into the attempted coup.
Warplanes stopped
The Pentagon says U.S. warplanes have stopped flying missions against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq from a base in southern Turkey after the government closed its airspace to military aircraft. The Pentagon’s press secretary, Peter Cook, said Saturday that U.S. officials are working with Turkish officials to get permission to resume air operations as soon as possible following the attempted coup.
The U.S. has been flying Air Force A-10 attack planes from Incirlik base as part of its air campaign against the Islamic State. Cook says U.S. Central Command is adjusting flight operations in the anti-IS campaign to minimize the effect of the closure of Turkish airspace. Cook also says Incirlik lost commercial electrical power. Turkish Prime Minister Benali Yildirim says 161 people have been killed as the country fought to overcome a military coup attempt. Another Turkish official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with protocol, said that number included civilians and pro-government forces like police but excluded those behind the coup attempt, reports Associated Press..
Support from the people
The political faction of the group that is close to Turkey says the Turkish people will not be subdued anymore to «tyranny and will not be ruled by the military.» Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has been among the strongest backers of Syrian rebels trying to remove President Bashar Assad from power. Hundreds of people waving Turkish flags have gathered outside of the parliament in Ankara to protest the coup attempt as legislators prepare to hold an emergency session. In an unprecedented show of unity, all four parties represented in parliament are expected to issue a joint declaration Saturday condemning the attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government. The extraordinary session began with a minute of silence in honor of those who lost their lives during the coup, followed by the singing of the national anthem. Officials say 161 civilians or pro-government security forces were killed during the coup, along with an undetermined number of cA U.S.t t. defense official says the Turkish government had closed the airspace around Incirlik air base for a few hours, but it has reopened. U.S. aircraft that were on missions could return to the base but could not take off until the base reopened.
The U.S. has Air Force A-10 attack planes based there for close air support missions over Syria and Iraq. The defense official, in Kabul, was not authorized to discuss the Incirlik situation by name.
Also, electric power at Incirlik has been interrupted. The reason is not clear, wrotedRobert Burns, AP National Security Writer.
Must present evidence
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States would entertain an extradition request for exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey’s president blames for a failed coup. But Kerry adds Turkey’s government would have to present evidence of Gulen’s wrongdoing that withstands scrutiny. While visiting Luxembourg, Kerry says Turkey hasn’t made a request to extradite the Pennsylvania-based Gulen. But he says he anticipates questions about Gulen, who has condemned the coup attempt. Kerry says on Saturday the U.S. opposed any attempt to overthrow a democratically elected leader. He says change must come through a constitutional process.
Dismised thousands
Turkey’s state-run news agency says authorities have detained 10 members of Turkey’s highest administrative court as the government appeared to press ahead with a purge of judiciary officials with alleged links to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric. The Anadolu Agency said Saturday that arrest warrants were issued for 48 administrative court members and 140 members of Turkey’s appeals court. Earlier, Anadolu said a body overseeing judges and prosecutors in Turkey has dismissed 2,745 judges across Turkey. Turkey’s state-run news agency says five warships which reportedly set sail during the attempted coup have returned to their military port in northwest Turkey. The Anadolu Agency says Saturday the five frigates and one corvette arrived at the military naval installation at Golcuk on Saturday. The report said it was not clear whether Navy Fleet Commander Admiral Veysel Kosele, whose whereabouts were not known, was aboard one of the ships.
The Islamic militant group condemned the attempt as a «vicious» plot to overthrow Erdogan.
The Turkish leader has been a staunch supporter of Hamas and a fierce critic of Israel. Hamas supporters took to the streets in several places across the Gaza Strip to celebrate the coup’s failure, raising Turkish flags and posters bearing Erdogan’s image.
Turkey recently restored ties with Israel after a six-year lull following a deadly Israeli naval raid to stop an activist flotilla aiming to breach the Gaza blockade.
1:30 p.m.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Turkey has demanded the extradition of officers who went to Greece, NTV television reports.
Greece’s defense ministry says seven military personnel and one civilian have landed there in a Blackhawk military helicopter and asked for asylum. They were arrested for illegal entry.
Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency quotes Cavusoglu as saying that «we have demanded the immediate return of the eight treacherous officers who fled to Greece by helicopter.»
1:15 p.m.
Greece’s defense ministry says a Blackhawk military helicopter carrying seven Turkish military personnel and one civilian has landed at the airport in the city of Alexandroupolis in northeastern Greece.
The passengers have asked for asylum. They were arrested for illegal entry into Greece.
The ministry says the helicopter gave a distress signal at 10:45 a.m. local time and landed six minutes later.
1:05 p.m.
The Turkish Cypriot leader says commanders of Turkish troops deployed in the breakaway north of ethnically divided Cyprus remain loyal to Turkey’s military command and that the coup attempt has «no effect» on the Mediterranean island.
Mustafa Akinci told Turkish Cypriot broadcaster BRT on Saturday that authorities «have taken a variety of precautionary measures to prevent provocations» in the north and that military commanders «are carrying out their duties within the chain of command.»
Akinci says problems can only be resolved through democratic means.
Turkey maintains more than 35,000 troops in the north of Cyprus since 1974, when the island was split after Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup by supporters of union with Greece.
1 p.m.
The head of the Turkish community in Germany is condemning the coup attempt in his homeland but says the government should take it as an opportunity to open dialogue with opponents.
Gokay Sofuoglu was quoted Saturday by the Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger newspaper as saying it was significant that «all parties, even though they usually argue, unanimously rejected the coup.»
«The government would be well-advised to see this as a chance to talk with others,» Sofuoglu said. «Because the parties have not talked with one another for a long time.»
Germany is home to about 3 million Turks or people of Turkish origin, and thousands took to the streets in Berlin and elsewhere late Friday to protest the coup.
Meanwhile, countries are condemning the coup and expressing support for Turkey’s government, including Afghanistan, Albania and Kosovo.
12:35 p.m.
Turkish Prime Minister Benali Yildirim says 161 people were killed in the country’s overnight military coup attempt. He says another more than 1,400 people were wounded in the chaos. More than 2,800 people have been detained.
He described the night as a «dark stain for Turkish democracy» and pinned blame for the coup on the «parallel terrorist organization.»
That term is used by authorities to describe the movement of U.S.-based Islamist cleric Fethullah Gulen.
«They will receive every punishment they deserve,» the prime minister said, noting the perpetrators were now in the hands of the justice system.
12:30 p.m.
Georgia has ordered its border with Turkey closed amid the instability from a military coup attempt.
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said the country’s security council on Saturday discussed «threats that might arise to Georgia» from the situation and said both land and air borders had been closed.
Discoered the plan
The former Soviet republic shares a 252-kilometer (152-mile) border with Turkey. Turkey’s Anadolu Agency reports that authorities have issued an alarm to border gates and airports upon being informed that prominent members of the Gulen Movement, including journalists, might flee the country following the overnight attempted military coup. The report says authorities discovered the plans after lists were found detailing the commanders and their deputies to be put in charge during the period of martial law if the coup had succeeded. Turkey’s acting chief of the general staff, Gen. Umit Dundar, said Saturday that the military is determined to purge members of the movement of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric living in exile in Pennsylvania, from the ranks.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says he has spoken to his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, to underline support for Turkey’s «democratic elected government and institutions» after an overnight coup attempt. The Foreign Office is advising Britons in Turkey to «stay indoors, avoid public places, in particular demonstrations, and remain vigilant.» It says «the situation now appears quieter in Istanbul, and the bridges across the Bosphorus are reopening. But there are reports of tank fire and small arms fire in Ankara.» British Airways says it is canceling all flights to and from Turkey on Saturday, but budget airline easyJet says it plans to run its scheduled flights, largely to Turkish resort towns.
Thousand soldiers arrested
Turkey’s acting chief of the general staff says 1,563 soldiers have been arrested in the attempted military coup overnight. The newly appointed Gen. Umit Dundar says those who took part in the betrayal will not go unpunished. He says those who «sided with democracy and the rule of law» thwarted the attempt. Dundar says Turkey’s military is determined to purge members of the movement of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric who is living in exile in Pennsylvania, from the ranks. «Our people should have no concern, that the era of coups and juntas have come to a close, never to be opened again,» Dundar says. Gen. Umit Dundar, the newly appointed acting chief of the general staff, said more than 190 people died in clashes: 41 police officers, two soldiers, 47 civilians and 104 people described as «coup plotters.» Dundar said officers from the Air Force, the military police and the armored units were mainly involved in the attempt.Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as praising the «brave defense by the people of Turkey of their democracy and elected government.»
Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, is seeking to contact his Turkish counterpart Saturday morning from Kabul, Afghanistan.
That’s according to Dunford’s spokesman, Navy Capt. Gregory Hicks.
Dunford is in Afghanistan to meet with U.S. and Afghan troops and commanders. He compressed his schedule Saturday in order to be available for consultations with Washington about the situation in Turkey, which has troops in Afghanistan as part of the U.S.-led coalition.
Turkey’s state-run news agency says some 200 unarmed soldiers have left Turkey’s military headquarters in the capital Ankara and have surrendered to police.
It isn’t immediately clear if those 200 are among 1,563 military personnel who have been reported detained across Turkey as the government cracks down on the attempted coup.
At least 60 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in violence. A senior Turkish official says a total of 1,563 military personnel have been detained across Turkey as the government cracks down on the attempted coup. The official says most of those arrested lower ranks.
The official was communicating with the media on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
An official in the president’s office says at least 60 people have been killed in the attempted coup.
The official also says 336 people, most of them soldiers, have been arrested across Turkey. Most of the dead are civilians. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to the media. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag, quoted by state-run Anadolu Agency, says security forces have «achieved results in many places» and defeated coup plotters. That includes the National Intelligence Agency, police and government buildings. He says: «There is nowhere they have they have proper control. God willing they will be defeated in the remaining areas and those in the air will be brought down.»
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has addressed thousands of flag-waving supporters outside Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport and tells them he is charge and coup won’t succeed.
Erdogan says: «They have pointed the people’s guns against the people. The president, whom 52 percent of the people brought to power, is in charge. This government brought to power by the people, is in charge. They won’t succeed as long as we stand against them by risking everything.»
EU supports Erdogan
European Council President Donald Tusk says the EU fully supports Turkey’s democratically elected government, in the wake of the attempted coup that left scores dead and wound. Speaking in Mongolia at the Asia-Europe summit meeting, Tusk says «Turkey is a key partner for the European Union. The EU fully supports the democratically elected government, the institutions of the country and the rule of law.» He also called for a swift return to Turkey’s constitutional order. Turkish broadcaster CNN-Turk is back on air after police apparently entered the building and arrested soldiers who had taken it over. CNN-Turk showed police taking away a soldier with his hands bound behind his back with wire. The station also showed the moment five soldiers, who appeared to be conscripts, enter the building brandishing machine guns and telling employees to vacate the building.
A source at the presidency told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that 13 military officers who had earlier tried to forcibly enter the presidential palace were among those arrested. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said that the coup plot will fail.
According to Erdogan, «Turkey has a democratically elected government and president. We are in charge and we will continue exercising our powers until the end. We will not abandon our country to these invaders. It will end well.»
Subjects General news, International relations, Coups d’etat, Extradition People Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Fethullah Gulen, Paolo Gentiloni, Kemal Kilicdaroglu Locations Turkey, Cyprus, Ankara, Istanbul Organisations Turkey government, United States military, Greece government, U.S. Department of Defense, reports Associated Press.
