Breaking: Military announces take over of government in Turkey
An army group in Turkey is claiming to have taken over power in the country.
A “peace council” now runs the country, a statement read on TV said.
The statement also imposed a curfew and martial law on the country.
According to The Guardian, the statement reads:
“Turkish Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and general security that was damaged.
“All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue.”
The BBC reports that soldiers are at strategic points in Istanbul and jets are flying low in the country’s capital, Ankara.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said to be on holiday outside the country, is reportedly safe.
Erdogan, speaking with CNN Turk by mobile phone, described the development as an uprising by a minority which he would overcome.
He also called on people to take to the streets to oppose the uprising.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim had similarly denounced the “illegal action” by a military “group”.
Stressing that it was not a coup, he said that the government remained in charge..
