Turkish military says it has taken over the country

Istanbul bridges closed off, tanks seen outside airport

Turkey’s armed forces said this evening they had taken power in the country to protect the democratic order and to maintain human rights.

In a statement sent by email and reported on Turkish TV channels, the military said all of Turkey’s existing foreign relations would be maintained and that the rule of law would remain the priority.

Turkey’s prime minister said earlier a faction within the army had attempted to seize power but that they would be pushed back and that it was wrong to call it a coup.

“Some people illegally undertook an illegal action outside of the chain of command,” Prime Minister Binali Yildirim had said earlier.

“The government elected by the people remains in charge. This government will only go when the people say so.”

Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge have both been closed off, local television channels reported.

A Reuters eyewitness, citing a pilot, said all flights from Istanbul’s Ataturk airport have been cancelled.

Dogan News Agency footage showed cars and buses being diverted. CNN Turkey showed two military vehicles and a group of soldiers lined up at the entrance of one of the bridges in Turkey’s biggest city.

Dogan News Agency reported the national police directorate summoned all police to duty in Ankara.