Failed Turkey coup sees 161 killed and more than 1,000 wounded
- 8 years ago
ANKARA, TURKEY — Civilians, anti- and pro-government forces were among the 161 killed during the weekend’s failed military coup d’etat against the Turkish government.
The action taken by some members of the military reportedly all kicked off around 11 p.m. on Friday night and initially many say they didn’t realize that a coup was going down.
Things took a turn after a journalist from state broadcaster TRT was reportedly forced at gunpoint to read a declaration from anti-government troops live on air. The statement said the government had lost all legitimacy and the military was retaking control.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in power since 2003 and he’s a controversial figure to say the least, enacting policies that have divided the country.
In response to the coup, millions of Turkish citizens joined soldiers and cops loyal to the administration and took to the streets to protest and battle the coup. Many were killed and more than a thousand were wounded. Some 6,000 people have been arrested in connection with the coup.
By Saturday morning the government said it had regained control and stabilized the situation. But for how long is anybody’s guess.
It’s unknown who is behind the coup, but Erdogan blames followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric living in exile in the U.S.
The failed coup will likely bring more instability to a country already dealing with the migrant crisis and the threat of Islamic extremism.
The action taken by some members of the military reportedly all kicked off around 11 p.m. on Friday night and initially many say they didn’t realize that a coup was going down.
Things took a turn after a journalist from state broadcaster TRT was reportedly forced at gunpoint to read a declaration from anti-government troops live on air. The statement said the government had lost all legitimacy and the military was retaking control.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in power since 2003 and he’s a controversial figure to say the least, enacting policies that have divided the country.
In response to the coup, millions of Turkish citizens joined soldiers and cops loyal to the administration and took to the streets to protest and battle the coup. Many were killed and more than a thousand were wounded. Some 6,000 people have been arrested in connection with the coup.
By Saturday morning the government said it had regained control and stabilized the situation. But for how long is anybody’s guess.
It’s unknown who is behind the coup, but Erdogan blames followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric living in exile in the U.S.
The failed coup will likely bring more instability to a country already dealing with the migrant crisis and the threat of Islamic extremism.