The military has claimed control over the Turkish government and implemented martial law. AP reported that the military released a statement saying that it has ‘fully seized control’ over the country.

The Dogan agency reported that the statement said that the military did this “to reinstall the constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms, to ensure that the rule of law once again reigns in the country, for the law and order to be reinstated.”

The military statement went on to say that “all international agreements and commitments will remain. We pledge that good relations with all world countries will continue.” -AP

Both the Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in Istanbul have been shut down by the military today. The airports have been shut down. Reuters reports gunfire and explosions being heard in the capital.  The Daily Beast is reporting,

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Friday evening that an attempted military coup was underway. In Istanbul, bridges were immediately blocked and jets were flying low above the capital city of Ankara. Reports indicated that Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube were shut down in the country. Turkish TV showed footage of military tanks at Istanbul’s Atatürk International Airport, where suicide bombers killed more than 40 people last month. Additionally, gunfire was reportedly heard in Ankara.

The Turkish Army said in a statement that it had taken over the government, however that does not mean the entire military participated in the coup attempt.

Some people have taken to the streets as Turkey’s president calls on citizens to protest in order to show of support for the government.

Herkez meydana..

A photo posted by Sabırla bekleyin ;@@ (@vatan71com) on

More details to follow as they become available.

 

Check out this article to read more about the military coup: Turkish military coup allied with exiled preacher living in Pennsylvania

Image courtesy of Reuters