​Coup attempt in Turkey

TURKEY - In Brief 15 Jul 2016 by Atilla Yesilada

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A few minutes after midnight Turkish time, a military entity calling itself “The National Peace Council” declared over the state-owned TRT TV that it has taken control over the government of the country. This is clearly a coup attempt, but I am still in the dark whether it has the full support of the army, or is lead by breakaway factions. I’m in doubt, because PM Yildirim and pro-AKP media outlets claim it is a pro-Fethullah Gulen cabal of officers in the Armed Forces who engineered the uprising, which is being dealt with. The official news agency Anatolian Agency claims military chief of staff General Hulusi Akar is being held hostage by the rival faction(s). Independent news channels report that AKP buildings are being surrounded by soldiers, while outgoing flights from Ataturk Airport have been stopped as per military orders. Clashes have been also reported between soldiers and police units. President Erdogan is believed to be en route from a resort town called Marmaris to Istanbul, where (if he is not detained by elements in the military) he is expected to address the nation. This is a very rapidly evolving situation, where judging the outcome is extremely difficult. At the very best, the trunk of the army (remaining loyal to the AKP government) and the police will restore order rapidly. At the very worst, there will be a civil war pitting factions in the army against AKP members and police. I will be updating this report in morning hours, as pertinent information reaches me.