Ankara: Friday’s putsch bid began with rebel F-16 jets screaming low over rooftops in Ankara, soldiers and tanks taking to the streets and multiple explosions throughout the night in the capital as well as the biggest city Istanbul. Parts of Parliament were turned to rubble after being hit by air strikes from rebel jets. Rebel troops also moved to block the two bridges across the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, culminating in a stand-off with an angry crowd. Turks have not seen such scenes since 1980 when the military led by general Kenan Evren ousted the government and many had no desire to revive these memories. There was chaos in Istanbul as angry crowds jeered the passing tanks, with much smaller numbers welcoming the troops.
While condemning the coup bid, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the coup plotters had to be dealt with “under the rule of law”. Meanwhile, judicial authorities said 2,745 judges would also be sacked in the wake of the coup bid. Mr Erdogan, who flew back from the holiday resort of Marmaris to a triumphant welcome from supporters at Ataturk Airport, said the plotters “will pay a heavy price for this act of treason.” He immediately pinned the blame on “the parallel state” and “Pennsylvania” — a reference to Gulen, his arch-enemy whom he has always accused of seeking to overthrow him. But the President’s former ally “categorically” denied any involvement in the plot, calling the accusation “insulting”.
Yildirim took aim at the US for hosting what he called “the leader of a terrorist organisation.” Speaking in Luxembourg, US Secretary of State John Kerry invited Turkey to hand over any evidence it had against Gulen. Meanwhile, Turkey demanded the extradition of eight people thought to have been involved in the putsch who landed in a Black Hawk military helicopter in Greece. Istanbul authorities sought to get life back to normal with the bridges reopening to traffic and Ataturk International Airport gradually reopening.
