Turkey military coup: Dawn breaks

Hours after an attempted military coup against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, dawn is breaking in Turkey.

While Mehmet Simsek, the Deputy Prime Minister, tells CNN the military coup has failed and that "the government is still in control", reports of explosions and gunfire are still coming in from Istanbul.

42 people, including police officer, have reportedly been killed in Ankara. 

It is unclear who is really in control of Istanbul and Ankara at this point in time.

Istanbul's Ataturk Airport has reopened and news channels have begun broadcasting again, after being temporarily shut down by soldiers earlier in the night.

Here is the latest.

President Erdogan addressing crowd in Istanbul

Erdogan says the coup is over, that the government is in control. He appears to place the blame in this live address on Fethullah Gulen, a high-profile political figure and religious scholar based in U.S., says Ivan Watson, CNN's Senior International Correspondent.

"Now I’m addressing those in Pennsylvania. The betrayal you have shown to this nation and to this community, that’s enough. If you have the courage, come back to your country. If you can. You will not have the means to turn this country into a mess from where you are."

Ankara: 42 dead, most killed by gunfire

Forty two people have been killed in attacks across the Ankara, according to Turkish media, which are citing the Attorney General’s Office in Ankara.

NTV -- a private television channel -- reports that most of the victims were police officers killed in an exchange of gunfire with a helicopter near the Parliament complex.

Turkey no stranger to coups

This isn't the first time the military has attempted to overthrow Turkey's government. Watch this video for a quick history lesson.

Gunfights heard in Ankara

Ankara, not just Istanbul, has seen chaotic scenes since the early hours. Diego Cupolo, a photojournalist in Ankara, told CNN he heard a gun battle between the military and the police which backs Erdogan.

"When I stuck my head out (the window), I could see helicopters shooting. I could see streaks of yellow bullets through the sky.

Now the gunfights continue, there are still jets circling through the city center."

He said he heard Erdogan supporters in the street.“Come down, support your government," he heard people say.

He heard several explosions, broken windows and jets flying low.

“There was definitely explosions and they were being launched by helicopters or the jets. This was definitely military equipment. There is heavy artillery fire, there are tanks, guns -- they echo loud.”

Dawn is breaking in Turkey and it's still unclear who has control. Witness Katherine Cohen, an American who's staying in an Istanbul hotel, told CNN she heard a loud explosion ten minutes ago, and gunfire and jets all through the night.

Flights to resume to Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport

All flights to Istanbul's main airport to resume as normal at 6am local time, according to public broadcaster TRT World.

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister: Coup has failed

Mehmet Simsek, the Deputy Prime Minister, tells CNN by phone that the military coup has failed.

"The government is in full control."

"Already many of the soldiers involved in Ankara have been arrested."

"Rogue military aircraft have been shot down."

CNN Turk back on air

CNN Turk is broadcasting again. Earlier, staff were forced out of the building at gunpoint.

"The helicopter landed in the parking lot with about 15 soldiers. They entered the building and forced my colleagues to leave the building," Ferhat Boratav, CNN Turk Editor in Chief told CNN.

"It was a rather tense moment, There was at least one shot that I heard, I don’t know if there were others."

 

Author: 
CNN