Coup attempt in Turkey

[OttoVonBismarck]

Turkish media is reporting there's a hostage situation at a military command building, and that "Erdogan is safe." So this is likely a small and ineffectual attempt. Any serious coup would've had enough of the military involved that they'd have been able to take Erdogan into custody immediately, since that hasn't happened I think it has little chance of success.

I don't think a coup would be good for Turkey; but Erdogan is a terrible force in Turkish history.

[merithyn]

Erdogan is on vacation outside of Turkey, isn't he?

[Tamas]

9.28pm 21:28
Military claims takeover of Turkey

The Turkish military says in a statement that it has taken over, according to Reuters.

Let's hope is true. Erdogan is really, really, really not the right guy for Turkey in these turbulent times

Yeah because a military coup is the right thing for Turkey. Come on.

Erdogan will die or be couped. He will not leave powe any other way now, ever

[DGuller]

Yeah because a military coup is the right thing for Turkey. Come on.

Righter than Erdogan.  It's a shame on Turkey that the military has been its strongest democratic institution, but it is what it is.

[OttoVonBismarck]

Erdogan is on vacation outside of Turkey, isn't he?

No clue--I don't follow his movements. But if he was then I'd say the band of officers who staged this have severely miscalculated. Even if they get a form of upper hand, with Erdogan out of country he'll be able to become a seriously destabilizing force against the military junta, and possibly be the ideological leader of a civil war. The only way this would've "worked" would be for Erdogan to wake up with guns pointed at him and overwhelming military force seizing key organs of state ASAP.

It does sound like in addition to the hostage situation at Military HQ the military has also seized the state broadcaster.

[Liep]

I wouldn't put it past Erdogan to have staged a "Reichstag fire" style coup so he can come back and increase his power even further, maybe this time aimed at weakening the rest of the military.

That was my first thought.

[Maladict]

BREAKING NEWS: TURKISH BROADCASTER TRT IS UNDER ARMY CONTROL.

The Turkish army has taken over the state broadcaster TRT, will make an announcement soon

[Valmy]

I thought it was interesting the military was able to shut down all internet in the country so quickly.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

Tourist season is now over in Turkey.

[DGuller]

I thought it was interesting the military was able to shut down all internet in the country so quickly.

I'm sure every country has the ability to do that by flipping a switch.

[Tamas]

I wonder, looking back in ten years, will 2016 be seen as a freak year when everyone entire bonkers, or a slow buildup to a chaotic and sad decade

[mongers]

Bosporus bridges closed, tanks at Istanbul airport, some activity in Ankara; might this be a regional based coup, in reaction to the hard-line conservative forces Erdogan is whipping up.


If your a Liberal, gay or transgender person living in Istanbul, who do you support in this power struggle?

[Legbiter]

Is Erdogan in the country?

[Maladict]

I thought it was interesting the military was able to shut down all internet in the country so quickly.

The government has that ability and had used it many times.

[Razgovory]

Looks like Languish may get what it wants.  Maybe a lot of people will die as well.

So right Raz this totally made my day.

Made some people's day.