People run away on the Bosphorus bridge during clashes in Istanbul on July 16. — AFP

Military vs Erdogan: Turkey's night of chaos, loyalty

Citizens thwart military attempt to takeover.
Published July 16, 2016

ANKARA: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Saturday battled to regain control over Turkey after a coup bid by discontented soldiers, as signs grew that the most serious challenge to his 13 years of dominant rule was starting to falter.

After hours of chaos unseen in decades, Erdogan ended uncertainty over his whereabouts, flying into Istanbul airport in the early hours where he made a defiant speech and was greeted by hundreds of supporters.

Soldiers and tanks took to the streets late on Friday and multiple explosions rang out throughout the night in Ankara and Istanbul, the two biggest cities of the strategic Nato member of 80 million people. With officials insisting the takeover bid was falling apart, officials said 60 people, mainly civilians, have been killed and 754 soldiers detained.

An injured man reacts as he goes to a hospital at Taksim square in Istanbul on July 16. — AFP
An injured man reacts as he goes to a hospital at Taksim square in Istanbul on July 16. — AFP

People take cover near a bridge during an attempted coup in Istanbul, Turkey July 16. — Reuters
People take cover near a bridge during an attempted coup in Istanbul, Turkey July 16. — Reuters

Turkish soldiers stay at Taksim square as people react in Istanbul on July 16. — AFP
Turkish soldiers stay at Taksim square as people react in Istanbul on July 16. — AFP

People attack and try to stop a Turkish police armored vehicle, carrying Turkish soldiers that participated in the coup and surrendered, backdropped by Istanbul's iconic Bosporus Bridge, July 16. — AFP
People attack and try to stop a Turkish police armored vehicle, carrying Turkish soldiers that participated in the coup and surrendered, backdropped by Istanbul's iconic Bosporus Bridge, July 16. — AFP

An injured man is carried away during an attempted coup in Istanbul, Turkey July 16. — Reuters
An injured man is carried away during an attempted coup in Istanbul, Turkey July 16. — Reuters

Turkish people wave the national flags on a car in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, July 16. — AP
Turkish people wave the national flags on a car in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, July 16. — AP

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is seen amid his supporters at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey July 16. — Reuters
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is seen amid his supporters at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey July 16. — Reuters

Supporters of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, protest in Istanbul's Taksim square, early Saturday, July 16. — AP
Supporters of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, protest in Istanbul's Taksim square, early Saturday, July 16. — AP

Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan cheer at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey July 16, — Reuters
Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan cheer at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey July 16, — Reuters

People react after they take over military position on the Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul on July 16. — AFP
People react after they take over military position on the Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul on July 16. — AFP