Attempted military coup underway in Turkey

[martyn]

Following this on Reddit at the moment.

Reports of Bridges blocked in Istanbul, F16's low flying in Ankara, military takeover of state TV.

Turkish PM denying military have gained control.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/15/turkey-low-flying-jets-and-gunfire-heard-in-ankara1/

[FireFox]

If successful, this is a good thing, right?

[DJ Barry Hammond]

World just gets crazier and crazier

[Fox92]

Fvck me. Just following it now also.

[Gold Coast Fox]

No idea if this is considered a good thing or not.

[Webbo]

Erdogan might be a bit of a wanker but he was democratically elected. Can't see how a military coup can ever be a good thing.

[Fox92]

Never getting in the EU with this.

[separator]

Probably a sh!t-load of British holidaymakers over there at this time of year as well.

[Fox92]

Probably a sh!t-load of British holidaymakers over there at this time of year as well.

 

Just following all flights as usual and with the closure of airports current flights are getting diverted. There will be loads already there on holiday, what a weird situation.

[Thracian]

Not surprised. I've talked on here several times about the ambitions of Erdogan and how divisive an effect he's been having with his increasingly autocratic rule and his wish to establish an Ottoman-style caliphate.

 

Whether the coup - if such it is - can be successful even in the short term, never mind the longer term, remains to be seen. He has considerable support in a country that seems to be fairly evenly split from what I can gather.

 

Military talking about the important of retaining the rule of law suggests the aim is to steer the country back to democracy but I really wouldn't want to second guess the likely outcome or ongoing reaction. I've read plenty but don't pretend to be able to guess the political, military and strategic consequences of this little lot - but it sure is a momentous development whatever transpires.    

 

 .   

[Thracian]

Erdogan might be a bit of a wanker but he was democratically elected. Can't see how a military coup can ever be a good thing.

 

 

 

Erdogan was democratically elected but not to become an autocratic President in waiting.  

[Merging Cultures]

Flipping heck. I don't like Erdogan but I was hoping he'd be removed democratically.

Turkey is a beautiful place, I'm sure loads of people visiting on Holiday. Hopefully they can get out quickly.

[separator]

Just following all flights as usual and with the closure of airports current flights are getting diverted. There will be loads already there on holiday, what a weird situation.

Military have taken over the main international airports apparently, only flights being aloud to land are Turkish Airlines, everything else is being diverted, nothing taking off. 

[Thracian]

https://www.rt.com/news/351363-turkey-army-invades-tv/?

[Thracian]

http://abc7news.com/news/reports-military-fully-seizes-control-of-turkey-in-coup/1428710/

[Swarles Barkley]

In theory this is positive. But actually practically it could turn into an absolutely shitstorm depending on how both parties react. With no news coming out of the country and no major news likely due to Turkey basically being cut off, who knows what could happen

[Thracian]

Could it be another notch in the "Year of the Lady" politicians? I just thought it worth a mention. 

 

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/06/turkey-iron-lady-thwart-erdogan-game-plan-160607120543716.html

[Thracian]

Headline mention of Erdogan seeking asylum in Germany - but no mention in story that I can see - however there is mention of Turkey's chief of military staff being taken "hostage".    

 

http://www.christianpost.com/news/turkey-military-coup-istanbul-ataturk-airport-shut-down-pm-claims-president-erdogan-still-in-charge-166574/

[RobHawk]

And people believed the prospect of them joining the EU was something to worry about!

[Fox92]

*Reports* F16 shoots down helicopter, Ankara.

[Fox92]

wtf

 

[Thracian]

And people believed the prospect of them joining the EU was something to worry about!

 

Now you know why, given that concerns about Erdogan are so great now, within Turkey itself, it's actually prompted a military coup attempt ie people risking their lives and more to force a change. How bad must it be!.   

 

I don't know if the desire of Turkey to join the EU will be strengthened after this but I don't see the risks and potential rewards will have changed so, yes, I'd still be concerned because powerful people have clearly wanted them in and Germany has a massive Turkish community already and, without England sitting at the EU table, they might well want Turkey's near identical population to make up the weight, so to speak..and more.

 

I know the problems of getting certain countries to support that idea, but rules can be amended with suitably applied pressure and i still wouldn't rule anything out.

 

There's one more thing as well. Erdogan may yet combat the coup attempt. then where would Turkey be? Safer in the EU or an even greater risk?       

[BlueSi13]

Well it's been an absolute shithouse of a 'coup' so far.  Turkish military completely unable/unwilling to deal with Erdogan's support base out on the streets and are retreating almost in tears from some of the videos I've seen.

 

My personal opinion is that an Erdogan 'Victory' tonight spells bad news for Europe and secular Turkey.

[Thracian]

As you say.  Erdogan clearly in control, hundreds arrested. Army activiists surrendering, seemingly demoralised. .    

[leicsmac]

Given how well this coup has ran, viz. right into the ground, is there weight to the theory that either Erdogan orchestrated the whole thing as an excuse to consolidate his power base afterwards or just knew about it and let it happen (knowing it would fail) for exactly the same reason?

 

/tinfoilhat