Utmost tension and turmoil in Turkey: Flashback to the first 24 hours
BURCU GÜNDOĞAN
gundoganburcu@birgun.net
The last two days in Turkey have added yet another factor of instability and uncertainty for the future of the country. A coup attempt was suppressed but so many pressing questions linger in its aftermath.
A small group within the national armed forces have attempted to seize power in the country through using military vehicles, helicopters, and arms. Several key sites and buildings, including the Parliament, the General Staff Building, Gendarme HQ, the two bridges of the Bosporus, and media offices and studios, have been the target of bombardment and attacks from ground and air, carried out by the coup-plotters.
High-ranked military officials were reported to be taken as hostage. Masses rushed out to the streets and squares following the call of President Erdoğan, so many other government offices and officials, as well as, the imams, in order to defend democracy.
As a result of clashes on the streets, hundreds of people have lost their lives and thousands have been wounded. Operations against the coup plotters were mainly carried out by police forces, with the military forces joining them, as well. These operations resulted in the arrest of 2839 military members, with a great number of them being in high-ranks. 104 members of the military taking part in the coup were also killed. In connection to this attempted coup, judiciary was also completely wiped-out, as 2745 higher judiciary members were suspended.
The coup attempt, which was opposed and condemned by all 4 parties (AKP, CHP, MHP, HDP) in the Parliament, stand as another indicator of the underlying unrest which awaits the country. Because, people of Turkey have seen massive movement in the name of democracy and celebrations over a repelled coup attempt on one side, and extremely disturbing images of violence and calls for death penalty, on the other.
While interrogations, detentions, and suspensions continue and the stories unfold, below is a more detailed flashback of the 24 hours of utmost tension and uncertainty felt everywhere in the country.
22:00 – 23:00 : First sparks of unrest as military vehicles block two bridges in İstanbul
- Reports on both of the bridges over the Bosporus in İstanbul being closed to traffic by military vehicles.
- Meanwhile, jets fly low over Ankara skies. No official statement or a known reason released for any of it yet.
- All entrances and operations at Atatürk Airport of İstanbul get shut; tanks are placed around the airport.
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport of İstanbul also surrounded by soldiers. Reports on the seize of police’s arms by the gendarme.
- Yeni Şafak newspaper releases an announcement about an attempt of soldiers under the command of FETÖ to carry out a coup. This news piece also includes information about the starting of operations against this attempt. Still no mentioning of an official statement.
- News begin spreading about PM Binali Yıldırım’s statement regarding a ‘possible attempt of coup’. This first official statement of PM:
“We may possibly be facing an attempt… A military attempt… An illegal act is at play. Our people should know that there will be no allowance for an action that would harm democracy. Those who are carrying out this attempt will pay the price heavily.”
23:00 – 00:00 : Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) declares, on TV, seize of power and issues a nation-wide curfew
- Turkish Armed Forces announces its seize of power and declares a nation-wide curfew through the state-run TRT channel. The message, which was read on live broadcast by TRT anchor included following statements:
“Broadcast of this text on all channels of the Republic of Turkey is a request and order of the Turkish Armed Forces. Dear valuable citizens of the Republic of Turkey, the systematic violation of the Constitution and the laws have become significantly threatening for the state’s essential features and the vital establishments; all offices of the state, including the Turkish Armed Forces, have begun to be designed through ideological motives, and, consequently, left inactive in carrying out their duties... The government will be overtaken by the organized Peace at Home Council. The Council has been formed with the UN, NATO, and all other international bodies and has taken all precautions. The government that has lost all its legitimacy has been dismissed.”
- Broadcast is shut on TRT as soldiers maintain seize of the building.
- Reports arrive on Erdoğan being safe and in preparation to make a statement.
- Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar reported to be taken hostage, along with others, by soldiers in Ankara.
- Soldiers reportedly seen passing through Bağdat Street and İstiklal Street of İstanbul; gunfire heard in front of the Police Force building in Vatan Street of İstanbul.
- Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Işık condemns the coup attempt, declaring the message of Turkish Armed Forces as fake.
00:00 – 01:00 : TSK’s declaration rejected by President Erdoğan, who urges people to come out to the streets to defend democracy; high-ranked military officials reported to be taken hostage
- Minister of Defense Fikri Işık says the note from Turkish Armed Forces is ‘fake’.
- President Erdoğan appears on TV through a video-call over the phone with CNN speaker. He makes the call while he is still in Marmaris. His statements:
“The incident of today is an attempt of a minority group within our armed forces. This is obviously an act encouraged by the parallel structure. We will give a nice response as a nation to this act that is against our people’s unity and uniformity. They will heavily pay the price of going against people by using the tanks and arms of people. Whatever steps are needed to be taken, we will take them by standing up straight. I believe that we will sweep out the occupation that they have carried out. I invite all our people to the airports and to the squares. They (the soldiers) should come forth with their tanks and canons and do what they want to do to the people. I’m going to the airport, too. The chain of command has been broken and suspended. There is an action where lower ranks are going against the higher ranks. I’m the president and the commander in chief. And, there should be no doubt that the necessary response will be given towards the actions carried out without my knowledge as the commander in chief. Coups have never succeeded throughout history.”
- Continous Salats (İslamic prayer read in Arabic), followed by announcements in Turkish calling everyone out to the streets in various parts of the country.
- Following along with the President’s call, crowds make it to the streets. While a lot of others also rush into supermarkets to get water and rudimentary supplies in case of the escalation of the turmoil.
- Reports on gunfire shot from a helicopter around the Presidential Complex and Turkish National Intelligence (MIT) building in Ankara. Some also report soldiers surrounding AKP İstanbul Provincial HQ.
- In Ankara, HQ of state-run TV channel TRT is reported to be under attack from air and seized by soldiers on ground.
- Minister of EU Affairs Ömer Çelik calls out to the soldiers in coup attempt and asks them not to obey the orders they receive.
- Reports arrive on crowds also gathering near Erdoğan’s house in Kısıklı, İstanbul.
- Soldiers at Atatürk Airport are reported to have withdrawn.
- Istanbul Chief Prosecutor launches probe into the coup-attempt.
- All opposition parties (CHP, MHP, HDP) declare their decry over the attempted coup.
- Statement of acting Head of General Staff Ümit Dündar:
“Since these incidents began taking place, we have got together with our İstanbul governor and focused on İstanbul. We’re trying to solve the problem here. They (coup-attempting soldiers) are representing a small group within the 1st Army Command. There is not a situation to be worried about, we are taking the necessary precautions with the support of other troops within the chain of command who do not obey them (the coup attempters).”
- Reports of gunfire heard near AK Palace in Ankara.
- A colonel and 3 soldiers are reported to be taken into custody at Vatan Street, İstanbul.
01:00 – 02:00 : Masses on the streets grow rapidly and clashes on the ground reported between soldiers and the people, backed by the police; more military officials decry the attempted coup
- First Army Commander announces that the Turkish Armed Forces do not support the attempted coup.
- Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces Admiral Bülent Bostancıoğlu announces his opposition to the coup attempt.
- Some MPs report on going to the Parliament building on duty.
- Reports of clashes between the masses on the streets and the armed soldiers. Imams calling out to people from Mosques’ speakers continue, asking them to come out to the streets to defend democracy in the country.
- Turkish Police Force sends out a message calling all people out to the streets.
02:00 – 03:00 : While reports on clashes/air strikes/hostage cases peak, the coup attempt announced by officials as repelled; Muharrem Köse’s name mentioned as the main plotter of the coup
- PM Yıldırım orders a no-fly zone.
- Fighter jets fly over Ankara to take down the helicopters used by coup-attempters; and, reports are released about shooting down of a helicopter by an F-16.
- Reports also follow on the death of 17 police officers in Gölbaşı district of Ankara during an attack of the soldiers from helicopters over the Special Operations Forces HQ.
- More high-ranked Turkish Army Commanders continue announcing their decry.
- MIT spokesman Nuh Yılmaz makes a statement, saying the attempted coup is ‘repelled’ and the Chief Commander Hulusi Akar is rescued.
- Meanwhile, Grand National Assembly Building is reported to be under heavy attack from air.
- Attempt of soldiers to enter the Presidential Complex in Ankara is announced as unsuccessful; 13 soldiers get arrested.
- Soldiers inside TRT building are dismantled by the police and Labor Minister enters the building with a crowd of citizens. The channel resumes broadcast.
- News on former military official Muharrem Köse, expelled from his position a few months earlier due to his ties with the Gülenist movement, being the mastermind of the attempt.
03:00 – 04:00 : Soldiers’ attacks and invasion attempts at the Parliament, General Staff building, the Presidential Complex in Ankara and at Doğan Media Center in İstanbul escalate
- Reports are released about civilian causalities taking place on the streets as a result of clashes between the soldiers and the public, backed by the police.
- Gendarme Commander Colonel Yurdakul Akkuş arrested.
- PM Yıldırım gives a statement: ‘military helicopters and planes still flying over will be downed by missiles’.
- A second attack on the Parliament building is reported to have injured 12 people, with 2 of them in critical condition.
- Clashes escalate at the General Staff building in Ankara.
- Soldiers invade CNNTurk studio at the Doğan Media Center in İstanbul during live broadcast. Gunshots heard during broadcast. Studio gets emptied.
- President’s plane, which was reported to be taken off from Dalaman around 1:45, is reported as on ground at Atatürk Airport.
04:00 – 5:00 : Erdoğan arrives at Atatürk Airport, greeted by masses, and appears on TV live stream
- President Erdoğan arrives at Atatürk Airport after his plane flies over the airport for some time before landing.
- Meanwhile, reports of attacks at the Parliament building and the General Staff building continue.
- Satellite agency TURKSTAT bombarded after an evacuation.
- Crowds enter the Doğan Media Center with chants of Takbeer; CNNTurk resumes broadcast.
- Reports of Alibeyköy Dam in İstanbul being bombed through an air strike.
- Erdoğan talks live at the Atatürk Airport. Parts of his speech:
��Unfortunately, this group, as I’ve said before, is the parallel structure itself, which cannot accept our country’s unity and uniformity. And, this structure, of course, has found itself a place within our national armed forces, police forces, and other units of the states and covered itself at all instances throughout this process of 40 years. This current act of theirs is treason. It is an upraise. And, let me say before anything, they are going to pay the price for this very heavily. This act is actually God’s great blessing for us. Why is it a great blessing? Because, this is an that would allow the cleansing of our armed forces, which should be bright clear... I’m saying this very openly and clearly: I invite all members of the party that I’m a founding member… to the city squares. We will be together with our people in cities, and, there, we will give the necessary lesson to those attempting this act… Those going around with tanks on the streets now will return to where they came from. Because, these tanks do not belong to them… Judiciary is already carrying out the necessary operations.”
- Digiturk reports of a takeover of their office by soldiers.
05:00 – 06:00 : Heavy clashes reported from Gölbaşı district of Ankara; unrest is spread widely in the country and civilian causalities begin rising
- Jets are reported to have taken off from Eskişehir to fly to Ankara for shooting down helicopters and planes under soldiers’ control.
- Prosecutor’s office announces the number of people dead in Gölbaşı clashes as 42.
- PM Yıldırım gives a statement about arrest of 130 more soldiers and killing of high-ranked generals.
- THY announces that flights are to resume at around 6.
- Reports on civilian causalities spread; death of Erol Olçak, who is a marketing professional closely affiliated with AKP, and his son is also reported.
- TRT anchor who had read the declaration of TSK earlier appears on national TV and says she was forced to read the message.
- The hotel where Erdoğan had left from, before coming to İstanbul, is reported to be under attack of soldiers.
- Sedat Ergin of Hürriyet newspaper announces their inability to publish the paper due to the ongoing situation at Doğan Media Center.
06:00 – 07:00 : Ümit Dündar is appointed as the Chief of General Staff by proxy, in place of Chief Hulusi Akar; soldiers begin surrendering at different sites
- Air force downs the helicopter attacking TURKSTAT building in Ankara.
- Clashes at İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality building are reported.
- About 50 soldiers on ground at Bosporus Bridge of İstanbul surrender.
- First Army Commander Ümit Dündar is appointed by the government as the Chief of General Staff by proxy, in place of Chief Hulusi Akar who was reportedly hostaged earlier in the evening, though also announced as rescued later on.
- PM Yıldırım calls on MPs for an emergency meeting at the Parliament at 14:00.
07:00 – 08:00 : Arrests of soldiers and high-ranked military officials rise
- Minister of Foreign Affairs announces that the government is in control.
- High-ranked General Ekrem Çağlar taken into custody in Erzincan; 5 other generals and 29 other high-ranked military officials are also reported by the Interior Ministry to have been suspended.
- List of the names of military members involved in the attempted coup released.
- The standing number of arrests linked to the attempt is announced by Ministry of Justice as 754.
- Yeni Şafak reporter Mustafa Cambaz reported to have been killed in clashed in Çengelköy, İstanbul.
- Reports on Harbiye Ordu Evi (Military House) and TRT Radio buildings in İstanbul being taken back from the soldiers; followed by 13 arrests.
08:00 – 09:00 : Involvement of police in operations against the soldiers in coup attempts; some hostages are also reported to have been rescued
- Repetitive reports keep coming in on the rescue of Hulusi Akar.
- Ümit Dündar’s appointment as the Chief of General Staff in place of Hulusi Akar is announced in Resmi Gazete (Official Gazette of Turkey).
- Gendarme General Commander reported to be captured by the police; Chief of Turkish Police Celalettin Lekesiz says:
“Gendarmerie General Command of Beştepe Ankara had been taken over by these rebels and insurgents. They were in efforts to carry out a coup by managing the gendarmes in 81 provinces of Turkey from here. They are now surrounded. Clashes have been going on since last night. It’s about to finalize. So far, 16 of the rebel soldiers attempting a coup have been killed there. And, there are nearly 250 arrests.”
- Gendermarie Colonel Yurdakul Akkuş reported to be in custody in Bursa; reports follow on the arrests of several other high-ranked military officials in the provinces of Mersin, Erzincan, and Hatay.
- Secretary of the President Fatih Kasırga reported to have been rescued.
- Both the Bosporus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge close down to traffic for the passage of the withdrawing tanks.
09:00 – 10:00 : Surrender of the soldiers and their arrests peak; government officials begin mentioning death penalty
- Soldiers surrender to police in Ankara in front of Beştepe Gendarme General Command. Surrendering soldiers, reported to be over 200 in numbers, take off their uniforms and lay on the ground.
- In Etimesgut district of Ankara, soldiers in attempt of coup are taken into custody at the Armored Units Training School.
- Aegean Army Commander - General Memduh Hakbilen’s arrest reported, along with many other soldiers under his command.
- Soldiers surrender at TRT building in İstanbul.
- Erdoğan’s chief advisor Mustafa Varank’s brother is reported by AKP Ankara MP Yalçın Akdoğan to have been killed.
- Deputy Chairman of AKP Mehmet Müezzinoğlu says they would consider issuing death penalty for the coup-attempters, in response to certain groups among the masses demanding execution of the soldiers and Fetullah Gülen.
- 80 military school students get arrested at Kuleli Military High-School in İstanbul in connection to the attempt.
- Reports of numerous civilian causalities and serious injuries continue coming from city hospitals.
- Disturbing images of battering and killing of soldiers also begin spreading.
10:00 – 11:00 : Higher Judiciary convenes with a purpose to rule out members of the judiciary linked to the coup attempt; President’s offices urges people to keep defending democracy on the streets tonight, too
- HSYK (High Council of Judges and Prosecutors of Turkey) convenes to take precaution on some judiciary members linked to the coup attempt.
- Arrests of soliders involved in the coup attempt reported to rise to 1563
- New reports come about more soldiers surrendering; 700 are said to be taken into custody.
- Former Air force Chief Akın Öztürk and General Metin İyidil declared as guilty of ‘treason.’
- A video of Sakarya Governor Hüseyin Avni Coş spreads; Coş is seen as screaming at detained soldiers standing against the wall with their backs turned to the camera. Coş says, ‘How could you shoot at the civilians? Aren’t you Turkish soldiers? How could you do that? How could you obey those crooks giving you orders?’
- Reports on gunfire heard inside the Interior Ministry building. Press members are reported to be battered at sight.
- Civilian deaths are reported as rising to 90; number of people wounded 1154.
- Message from the President’s office: ‘No matter what stage this attempt comes down to, we must continue defending the streets tonight. Because, there could be mobilization again at any time.’
- Police Force sends out a message asking people to call 155 (Police line) if uniformed soldiers are seen around.
11:00 – 12:00 : Government officials announce, in celebration, victory over the coup attempt, thanking the masses who have not left the streets all night
- Reports of billboard messages by Metropolitan Municipality of İstanbul, reading ‘Democracy won! Thank you Turkey!’
- Chief of General Staff in proxy Ümit Dündar appears on state channel TRT for a press briefing. His statements:
“It’s clearly revealed that this act is an attempt of coup by a group of soldiers with varying ranks within the Turkish Armed Forces. Numerous generals at General Staff and in other posts have been taken hostage and taken to unknown places by these coup-attempters. Acts of attempting to seize power in other cities, in addition to Ankara and İstanbul, have also been disclosed. This coup attempt, which primarily involves air forces, gendarme, and certain armored troops, has been rejected by Turkish Armed Forces and members of the chain of command from the very first instance. And, this, has hindered their efforts to lead operations through information channels such as the media and the internet. “
- Former PM Ahmet Davutoğlu’s statements declaring victory over coup attempt:
“It was an attack on our integrity. Our parliament was attacked; our institutions were attacked byvile traitors. We will wake up to a new day. There is never going to be even a mentioning of coups from now on. Yesterday, history was made. This is an epic of democracy. We won a victory for democracy. Our people are the most crucial part of this victory. The names of our brothers who have reached God are now written in history with golden letters.”
- Appearing on TV with rescued Chief Hulusi Akar, PM Yıldırım gives a statement from Çankaya, Ankara. Parts of his speech:
“My honorable citizens, the Friday evening of July 15th is a black stain on Turkish democracy. But the name of the great nation that has come on duty for democracy against the coup gang of the parallels who attempted a coup in the evening hours is the Turkish nation… I also extend my thanks and appreciation to the members of civil society institutions and political parties who have crowded the city squares starting from the first minute… We have 161 martyrs, 1440 wounded. And, 2839 soldiers are detained… The first phase is now over. We will continue our path with determination.Our democracy day is now July 15th. I expect our people to come out to the streets again this evening with their flags... We don’t have death penalty in our country. But we will talk about it with other parties. Fetullah Gülen is a head of a terrorist organization, we know this.”
12:00 – 13:00 : While masses on the streets dissolve widely, government officials from various departments call out for them to come out again
- Soldiers attacking the hotel in Marmaris, where Erdoğan was in before flying to İstanbul, are reported to be on the escape.
- Tanks from Tekirdağ are mobilized towards İstanbul in order to support efforts against coup attempt.
- Rescue of some of the high rank navy and military members who were taken hostage by coup attempters earlier at night.
- A text message is sent out to all in the country from the official account of Republic of Turkey, calling everyone out to the streets.
- Office of Religious Affairs (Müftülük) calls out to students of İmam-Hatip high schools and Kuran courses, as well as imams, to the street in defense of democracy.
13:00 – 14:00 : Operations on soldiers officially announced to be finalized; reports about young soldiers claiming to be unaware of the attempt spread
- Turkey demands extradition of 8 soldiers fleeing to Greece in a military helicopter. Reports are given about the soldiers in custody in Greece seeking asylum.
- News about a fire at the Gendarme HQ, where around 200 soldiers get arrested.
- Soldiers at General Staff building surrender; 3 top prosecutors comes to site.
- Operations towards 7 military cargo planes finalize with arrests of 114 soldiers.
- Reports on death of 5 people near AK Palace.
- Reports spread about young soldiers claiming they ‘had no idea about what was happening and were to be in a military drill.’
- President Erdoğan takes off to Ankara.
- Head of MİT Hakan Fidan announces conclusion of systematic operations against coup attempters.
14:00 – 15:00 : 2745 higher judiciary members suspended in connection to the attempt
- News of arrests of around 100 coup attempting soldiers in Diyarbakır.
- Suspension of 2745 higher judiciary members, with 2204 of them being at 1st degree.
- Soldiers involved in the attack over the hotel in Marmaris are brought back to İzmir; one of the heads of the troops reported as wounded.
15:00 – 16:00 : Alleged perpetrator of the coup attempt Fetullah Gülen gives his first remarks about the situation and the allegations
- Metropolitan Municipality of İstanbul sends messages to the public saying ‘Do not leave the streets until our Commander in Chief orders so.’
- Fetullah Gülen, the alleged perpetrator behind the coup attempt, makes his first statements during a press conference from his farm house in Pennsylvania, USA, rejecting the accusations and condemning the act: “I have never thought positively of military interventions. Democracy cannot be realized through this method.”
16:00 – 17:00 : Among all arrests, the first ‘detention’ is carried out in Şırnak
- Sinop governor Yasemin Özata Çetinkaya dismissed from duty because of his husband Commander Temel Çetinkaya’s connection with the attempted coup.
- Reports of arrests in Şırnak province; names also released. First reports of detention among all arrests also comes from Şırnak as Çakırsöğüt Gendarme Commander Ali Osman Gürcan gets tried and detained with charges of ‘attempt to violate the constitution’ (article 309 of Turkish penal code) and ‘attempt to annihilate Turkish Republic and inhibit its functions partially or completely, by using force and violence.’ (article 312 of the Turkish penal code)
17:00 – 18:00 : Emergency meeting of the Members of the Parliament; a joint declaration of all 4 parties read at Grand National Assembly
- Members of the Parliament convene at the Grand National Assembly in an emergency meeting. Members of the judiciary, civil society institutions, and diplomats also attend the meeting. All 4 parties (AKP, CHP, MHP, HDP) agree on a joint declaration condemning the coup attempt and declaring a complete wipe out.
18:00 – 19:00 : A list found with names of military officials that were to be appointed if the attempt had succeeded
- Reports about a list with the names of military officials who were allegedly chosen to be appointed if the coup had succeeded. The list is reported to have come out from Muharrem Köse’s briefcase.
- Adem Huduti, Avni Angun, and Akın Öztürk, all high ranked military officials announced as other leading names behind the attempt, get arrested.
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Çavuşoğlu announces that 8 soldiers who had fled to Greece are remanded in Greek custody.
19:00 – 20:00 : Masses continue celebrations on the streets while millions of others still remain away from the streets
- Masses in city down towns grow again; wide-spread celebrations held with chants, honking, and slogans.
- İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality announces public transportation to be free until evening on Monday, July 18th.
20:00 – 21:00 : Posts on social media decrying both the coup attempt and the disturbing incidents related to the treatment of young soldiers
- Salats (İslamic prayers) continue.
- Reports of civilians attacking other civilians in the Gazi district of İstanbul.
- Posts on social media decrying both the coup attempt and the violent treatment towards the soldiers begin to spread. Voices in speculation of the whole turmoil are heard through social media, though still at a modest level.
21:00 – 22:00
- Erdoğan demands, from USA, extradition of Fetullah Gülen.
SOURCES: Birgün; AA; Sputnik; AP; CNNTürk; Hürriyet; HaberTürk; Independent