Turkey coup attempt, warplanes flying over Ankara, Istanbul

Turkey coup attempt, warplanes flying over Ankara, Istanbul - War planes were seen flying over the Turkish capital of Ankara and Turkey's most populous city Istanbul Saturday, following a military coup attempt in the country.

Xinhua reporters saw warplanes such as F-16 fighters and military helicopters flying over head and heard sounds of guns and suspected warplane bombing.

Meanwhile, three warplanes were seen flying over Taksim area in central Istanbul and huge explosions were heard.

A military statement on Turkish media said Friday the armed forces have fully seized power in the country but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said early Saturday the coup attempt has failed, urging people to protect democracy.

According to the military statement, reported on NTV, the military move was made to restore the constitutional order, democracy, human rights, freedom and rule of law.

The statement said that all our international agreements and commitments is continue to be kept valid.

illustration 

"We hope that our good relations with all countries of the world will be continued," the statement said.

President Erdogan's office website said he is safe and and that a coup attempt by a small group of soldiers was "unsuccessful."

In his appearance on CNNTurk via a reporter's mobile phone, Erdogan urged people to take to the streets to protect "democracy."

"This is an act encouraged by the parallel structure." he said. "I believe that this act will have the necessary punishment that will be given by our nation."

The president was referring to the movement led by U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, who has been accused of running a parallel state and trying to topple the Turkish government.

"I will be at the squares as well either in Istanbul or Ankara, " Erdogan said in remarks delivered later on NTV.

Shortly after Erdogan's statement, soldiers started leaving the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, while some Turks walk toward the airport, the Hurriyet daily said.

It said supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are among the throng gathering there.

Reports earlier said that tanks were sent to the airport, where all flights were canceled. ( Antara )