2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt

2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt

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Clockwise from top left: Tanks on the streets of Ankara, people resisting the coup, damage to the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and soldiers surrendering.

The 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt was a failed military coup against state institutions, including the government and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The attempt took place on the night of 15 July 2016, when a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces attempted to seize control of key locations in Ankara, Istanbul, and other major cities.

Background

Turkey has a history of military coups, with successful coups occurring in 1960, 1971, and 1980, and a "post-modern coup" in 1997. The Justice and Development Party (AKP), led by Erdoğan, had been in power since 2002, and tensions between the government and the military had been rising due to various political and social issues.

The Coup Attempt

On the evening of 15 July 2016, a faction within the Turkish military, calling themselves the "Peace at Home Council," attempted to overthrow the government. They seized control of key locations in Ankara and Istanbul, including bridges, airports, and media outlets. Tanks and soldiers were deployed in the streets, and fighter jets flew over the capital.

The coup plotters announced on state television that they had taken control of the government to restore democracy and human rights. However, President Erdoğan, who was on vacation at the time, managed to address the nation via a video call on a mobile phone, urging citizens to take to the streets in protest.

Public Response and Government Reaction

Thousands of people responded to Erdoğan's call, confronting the coup plotters and blocking their advance. The police and loyal military units also resisted the coup attempt. By the morning of 16 July, the coup had been suppressed, and the government regained control.

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the coup attempt, the Turkish government declared a state of emergency and launched a massive purge of the military, judiciary, and civil service, arresting thousands of individuals suspected of involvement in the coup. The government blamed the coup attempt on the Gülen movement, led by Fethullah Gülen, a cleric living in exile in the United States, although Gülen denied any involvement.

International Reaction

The coup attempt was widely condemned by the international community, with many countries expressing support for the democratically elected government of Turkey. However, the subsequent purges and crackdown on dissent raised concerns about human rights and the rule of law in Turkey.

Also see

• Military coups in Turkey
• Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
• Gülen movement
• Turkish Armed Forces
• Justice and Development Party (Turkey)