Presidential sources say: “This is an attack against Turkish democracy. A group within the armed forces has made an attempt to overthrow the democratically elected government outside the chain of command.
“The statement made on behalf of the Armed Forces wasn’t authorised by the military command. We urge the world to stand in solidarity with the Turkish people.”
Some more detail on the statement said to come from Turkey’s armed forces. They have reportedly said in emails reported on Turkish TV that they have taken power to protect the democratic order and to maintain human rights.
They added that all of Turkey’s existing foreign relations would be maintained and that the rule of law would remain the priority. The Guardian has not seen the correspondence and, therefore, can yet verify where it has come from or on behalf of whom - exactly - it was sent.
Komutanin soyledikleri...darbe kesin.#darbe #kopru pic.twitter.com/ZBeh6hZmut
— Brahmaçarya (@parya12342) July 15, 2016
A solider in Istanbul has been filmed saying “it’s a coup, go home.”
The Associated Press is now carrying fuller quotes from the Turkish prime minister’s interview with NTV.
Having confirmed his belief that an attempted coup was underway, Yıldırım said: “We are focusing on the possibility of an attempt [coup]. There was an illegal act by a group within the military that was acting out of the chain of military command. Our people should know that we will not allow any activity that would harm democracy.”
The Dogan news agency said one-way traffic on the Bosporus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges were blocked. Video footage showed the bridge being blocked by military vehicles.
The Turkish military says in a statement that it has taken over, according to Reuters.
The Guardian has heard reports that the UN has emailed staff, saying a coup attempt is underway.
According to the Associated Press, Yıldırım, who was speaking to the local TV station NTV, said: “It is correct that there was an attempt.” He provided no further details but said Turkey would never allow any “initiative that would interrupt democracy”.
Yıldırım says those responsible for what he has called an attempted military coup will pay the highest price.
A witness in the country’s capital told Reuters that gunshots were heard as military jets and helicopters were seen flying overhead. Witnesses in Istanbul, Turkey’s biggest city, also spotted helicopters overhead, the agency reported.
The local broadcaster NTV reported that both of Istanbul’s bridges across the Bosphorus, the strait separating the European and Asian sides of the city, had been closed to traffic. It was not immediately clear if the events were related.
The Turkish prime minister Binali Yıldırım says that an attempted coup by parts of the military has been launched, according to Reuters. He reportedly added that security forces were doing what they could to resolve the situation.