Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said a military coup attempt is currently underway and that military action has been taken without a chain of command, according to local media NTV.
Yildirim reportedly said that the actions are only being taken by part of the military, adding that security forces are doing what is necessary to resolve the situation.
Gunshots were heard in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Friday, a Reuters witness said, as military jets and helicopters were seen flying overhead.
Reuters witnesses in Istanbul, Turkey’s biggest city, also spotted military jets and helicopters overhead, as well as tanks in the streets.
Turkish soldiers block both bridges on the Bosphorus in Istanbul and jets flying low in Ankara. Reason not clear yet pic.twitter.com/tMG7KKYvGh
— Selin Girit (@selingirit) July 15, 2016
Broadcaster NTV reported that both of Istanbul’s bridges across the Bosphorus, the strait separating the European and Asian sides of the city, had been closed to traffic.
It was not immediately clear if the events were related.
MORE: Military Police Close 2 Bridges In Istanbul With Tanks On Highways. https://t.co/lhHUhoAnnfpic.twitter.com/xWXCb6cXlm
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 15, 2016
