Turkey army group goes on air to announce takeover

An army group in Turkey last night said it took control of the country, with bridges closed in Istanbul and aircraft flying low over Ankara.

PM Binali Yildirim earlier denounced an "illegal action" by a military "group", stressing it was not a coup. He said that the government remained in charge.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Traffic has been stopped from crossing both the Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges in Istanbul.

There are reports of gunshots in the capital Ankara.

Gunfire was also heard outside Istanbul police HQ and tanks are said to be stationed outside Istanbul airport. All flights are cancelled.

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

Who represents the group remains uncertain.

But Mr Yildirim told NTV by telephone: "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," he added, saying it would not be correct to describe the move as a "coup".

He said: "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."

There are reports Turkey's top general has been taken hostage at the military HQ.

Turkey has had a history of coup attempts, the last time being carried out in 1997, which forced the resignation of then-prime minister Nemettin Erbakan.