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Turkey coup attempt: Prime minister calls night of violence a ‘dark stain for democracy’
What we know:
- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan returned to Istanbul where he was met by large crowds at Ataturk Airport.
- He declared that the “government brought to power by the people is in charge.”
- While the government seems to be consolidating control in Istanbul, the situation remains more uncertain in the capital of Ankara, which appears to be the epicenter of the uprising.
- At least 161 people have been killed and scores more injured in attacks related to the attempted coup.
- Turkish Prime Minister Benali Yildirim said 2,839 plotters had been detained.
How it began:
- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told a Turkish television network shortly before 1 p.m. Pacific that reports that a coup had been attempted in his country were correct.
- Military officials claimed they had seized control of the country shortly before 2 p.m.
- In an interview with CNN Turk, Erdogan urged Turkish citizens to take to the streets.
- By Friday night, Turkish television was broadcasting images of rebel soldiers surrendering.