SST correspondents report that there is an ongoing Turkish Army coup all over the country to include small towns. The two Bosporus bridges are blocked by the army as would be the case if the cup is centered in Anatolia and the putschists do not want interference from Turkish 1st Army who are based in Thrace. pl
http://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2016/07/turkey-government/491579/
Google translation of military's statement:
http://t24.com.tr/haber/tsk-yonetime-el-koyuldu,350149
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has announced that the country's government confiscated its entirety .
Turkish Armed Forces said in a statement :
Turkish Armed Forces , the constitutional order , democracy, ensure the repetition of human rights and freedoms and facilities , enabling dominate again the rule of law in the country , deteriorating public security order of confiscated whole administration of the country in order to ensure again.
All international agreements and our commitment remains eçerlilig . with all countries of the world , we hope to continue our good relations .
Chief of Staff
Posted by: Russell | 15 July 2016 at 04:47 PM
Lots of helicopters flying overhead.... streets are so quiet...
Posted by: Istanbul Guy | 15 July 2016 at 04:48 PM
There were some affirmation in Al Masdar today that somme Turkish troops were inside Syria.
Any Kurds project is anathema for the Turk Army.
Erdogan seat is getting hoter and hotter.
Posted by: Charles Michael | 15 July 2016 at 04:57 PM
(Sound of champagne corks popping in the Assad residence."
Posted by: Matthew | 15 July 2016 at 04:58 PM
lots of conflicting reports coming out. Possible each power base is trying to psych the other out by claiming victory.
Posted by: Lemur | 15 July 2016 at 05:06 PM
I Imagine Russia has a hand in this?
Posted by: Eric Newhill | 15 July 2016 at 05:09 PM
My oh my.....
Posted by: Degringolade | 15 July 2016 at 05:10 PM
A theory:
Turkey's now former government recently changed their tune and started being super friendly and nice to Russia. I suspect this is because they received word that there would be a coup if Russian - Turkish relationships did not improve because Turkey's Military did NOT want a souring relationship with Russia. It appears that Turkey's military did not want to wait for things to improve.
Seeing unconfirmed reports that Tayyip Erdoğan has left the country.
Posted by: Daniel Nicolas | 15 July 2016 at 05:12 PM
I wonder which side our President is going to decide to back should he be foolish enough to intervene. At the same time I am glad Hilary Clinton is not currently Secretary of State. I wonder if there was anything in those emails though....
Posted by: Fred | 15 July 2016 at 05:22 PM
This is a game changer. I suppose the Turkish military will want to repair relations with Syria. We will probably also see jihadist attacks on Turkish soil more by those of Turkish origin.
Once the dust is cleared I wouldn't give a wooden nickel for Isis's supply lines.
Posted by: Russell | 15 July 2016 at 05:28 PM
Now we find out whether Erdogan has any real friends.
Posted by: Tel | 15 July 2016 at 05:29 PM
Mr. Lang,
Do you think this move is being motivated by "Kemalist" nationalism...or that Gulen cult/religious movement?
Posted by: Paul Escobar | 15 July 2016 at 05:48 PM
Russia's hand is presumably behind this.
Posted by: Aidan | 15 July 2016 at 05:48 PM
Let’s hope that whatever the outcome it results in a more democratic Turkey.
MarkC
Posted by: MarkC | 15 July 2016 at 05:51 PM
Aidan
IMO the general anti-western policy of Erdogan and the Chihuahua's threat are behind this. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 15 July 2016 at 05:56 PM
Paul Escobar
the initial communique was signed by the chief of the TGS so I think it is Kemalists. p
Posted by: turcopolier | 15 July 2016 at 05:58 PM
Now we are starting to see the counter-coup..
Mosques in conservative areas (pro-akp) are calling for followers to enter streets and challenge the military.
Posted by: Istanbul Guy | 15 July 2016 at 06:03 PM
And with Syria, Iran, Russia, EU as well.
Posted by: Babak Makkinejad | 15 July 2016 at 06:05 PM
That would be my guess as well; AKP Government degenerated into alienating everyone - and damaged Democracy in Turkey as well.
Posted by: Babak Makkinejad | 15 July 2016 at 06:06 PM
Actually there are reports of 'celebratory gunfire' in Damascus over celebration at the news.
Posted by: oofda | 15 July 2016 at 06:12 PM
Yeh, it's all Putin's fault just like yesterdays crash in the Tour de France on Mont Ventoux.
Posted by: Ghostship | 15 July 2016 at 06:13 PM
Aidan: Would you care to explain how Russia is toppling the government of a NATO member? They can't even topple the government of Ukraine.
Posted by: Matthew | 15 July 2016 at 06:15 PM
MarkC: Like Sisi did in Egypt? You don't build democracy by having the military overturn a democratically elected government.
Posted by: Matthew | 15 July 2016 at 06:16 PM
matthew
You prefer elected Islamists bent on creating shariah law states? pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 15 July 2016 at 06:18 PM
I was just watching the NBC news in Chicago. The anchorman said " ...Turkey is a US ally in fight against ISIS....". I could not believe how much crap these news agencies are feeding the public.
Amazing turn of events indeed.
Posted by: Tony | 15 July 2016 at 06:20 PM