A military coup was reportedly under way in Turkey, as conflicting reports emerged about who was in control of the country.
“The prime minister of Turkey said on Friday night that factions of the military had attempted a coup,” The New York Times reports.
The report quotes Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, in comments broadcast on the private TV channel NTV, saying: “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 the people say so.”
But soon after Yildirim’s declaration, the news agency DHA reported that the Turkish military claimed in a statement that it had had taken control of the country.
The agency quoted the statement saying: “Turkish armed forces seized the rule of the country completely with the aim of reinstalling the constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms, to make rule of law pervade again, to re-establish the ruined public order. All the international agreements and promises are valid. We hope our good relations with all global countries goes on.”
The Times adds: “The state-run Anadolu News Agency said hostages had been taken at military headquarters in Ankara, the capital, including the chief of staff.”