The president’s office refused to disclose Erdogan’s whereabouts, saying he was at a secure location.
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It is unclear who is leading the plotting army group, or how much support it enjoys.
“Hearken to and consider the announcements by the security officials of Turkey” for further developments following the coup attempt, the statement said. The senior official told The Associated Press that all government officials were in charge of their offices. The official requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The Alliance for Shared Values said “we condemn any military intervention in [the] domestic politics of Turkey”.
Shots have been fired and explosions have been heard in Ankara as the coup continues, according to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara.
The Turkish military claims to have “fully seized control” of the country amid reports of aerial attacks, gunfire and explosions in Istanbul and the Turkish capital Ankara.
An AFP photographer saw troops open fire on people gathered near one of the Bosphorus bridges in Istanbul and state-run news agency Anadolu reported that the parliament in Ankara had been bombed. Two other tanks and a military vehicle were stationed in front of the VIP terminal.
Turkish protesters used Facebook Live to film the aftermath of a military coup attempt. “The perpetrators will pay the heaviest price”.
Before the military released its statement, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told NTV television: “It is correct that there was an attempt”, when asked whether there was a coup.
Thirteen soldiers were arrested near the presidential palace in Ankara, and another 50 in Istanbul, in connection with the coup attempt, broadcaster NTV reported.
In addition, the military group, which has flown jets over the capital city, says that the peace council will “reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms”. “The people have shown that they stand in solidarity with democracy and the elected government”.
Meanwhile, 17 police officers have been killed in a separate helicopter attack on the police headquarters in the capital, according to Anadolu.
According to Mr Erdogan, “Turkey has a democratically elected government and president”.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stolenberg said he had also spoken to the Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Under Erdogan, leader of the Islamist AKP party, “all state institutions began to be designed with ideological aim” and “secular rule of law was effectively eliminated”, the rebels said. “We are taking necessary measures with the soldiers who have not joined them and are still acting within chain of command”.
Former military legal adviser Muharrem Kose was also identified as a key figure behind the insurrection, news agency Anadolu reported. A nearby mosque made an anti-coup announcement over its loudspeakers. The state-run news agency said more than 750 soldiers have been detained across the country.
Members of the public climb on tanks after soldiers occupying one of the bridges over the Bosphorus Strait surrendered in Istanbul. Those in the vehicle escaped.
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The Turkish government under Erdogan has repeatedly moved to block social media in periods of crisis and political uncertainty. Twitter said it suspected an “intentional slowing” of its traffic.
