Military Take over Power in Turkey, President Erdogan is Safe

Democracy in Turkey  is facing a hard times  as soldiers have blocked certain bridges and roads in the capital, Ankara, while helicopters hover ahead with gun shots ringing in the air with Turkey’s State owned broadcasting service going off air.

An army group has also announced a take-over of power supposedly to instill “democratic order.”

BBC reports that Prime Minister earlier denounced an “illegal action” by a military “group”, stressing it was not a coup. He also said that the government remained in charge.

“We are working on the possibility of an attempt. We will not allow this attempt.

Those who are in this illegal act will pay the highest price.

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,” he said.

All indications, however, point to the possibility of a coup with multiple reports of gunshots in the capital Ankara while gunfire was also heard outside the Istanbul police headquarters. All flights have also been cancelled.

CNN Turk reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was “safe” but did not elaborate.

A statement from the military group read out on NTV television said: “The power in the country has been seized in its entirety.”

The leadership of the army group remains uncertain while Turkey’s top general is believed to be currently held hostage at the military headquarters.

Turkey recently held national elections at which President Erdogan secured a second term. His popularity, however, seemed to wane in recent months.

UPDATE: All flights in and out of Turkey cancelled as coup grips country https://t.co/pC7pYvXEli

— RT (@RT_com) July 15, 2016

BREAKING: Shots at Turkish interior ministry #Turkeycoup Erdogan statement expected soon https://t.co/B86WmvscrR pic.twitter.com/tBU6BUxVv0

— RT (@RT_com) July 15, 2016

BREAKING: Turkish army take over state TV, impose martial law #Turkeycoup https://t.co/NrLHgURtYF pic.twitter.com/FhGJR7JUNM

— RT (@RT_com) July 15, 2016

BREAKING: Erdogan calls on people to go out on streets – Reuters #Turkeycoup https://t.co/B86WmvscrR pic.twitter.com/n4uednuxsq

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MORE: Reuters witness claims military helicopter opens fire over #Ankara https://t.co/ZJksuqvq7r

— RT (@RT_com) July 15, 2016