Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım told the CNN Türk in a live broadcast that there is an attempt of uprising within the military, adding that the government will make those responsible pay the price by using force if necessary, after gendarmerie closed off the two Bosphorus bridges in İstanbul.
Gendarmerie have shut down the Bosphorus Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge to traffic. In the meantime, jets and helicopters were seen hovering over the capital city of Ankara. Other reports claimed that soldiers have occupied the state-run Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) building, as well as the Anadolu news agency.
Yıldırım stated that a group of soldiers within the military, out of the chain of command, are being involved in an unlawful act, adding that they will be countered and democracy will be protected against them. “The government of the Turkish Republic is in charge as the representative of the people,” Yıldırım said.
Ankara Police deployed all of its personnel, according to news agencies.