Turkey Coup Attempt: ‘We Dedicate This Day to Democracy,’ Says PM
Military opens fire on crowds in Ankara, India issues emergency contact details.
- A group within Turkey’s military attempted to overthrow the government, accusing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of undermining Turkey’s secular tradition.
- Armed forces claimed to have taken power in the country, but the Turkish government called the coup a failed attempt.
- Turkish PM said 161 people have died in the coup.
- According to the Turkish Red Cross, 1,154 people were injured. First Army Commander Umit Dundar was appointed as the acting Chief of Military Staff.
- Mass surrenders in Istanbul: 50 soldiers surrender on Bosphorous Bridge. 1563 members of the armed forces arrested, among them are 29 colonels and five generals.
- Turkish military helicopter lands in Greece, eight men request political asylum.
- Chief of Army, Hulusi Akar, who was taken hostage, has been rescued.
- US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen denies involvement in the coup. President Erdogan demands his extradition from US.
Erdogan Demands Gulen’s Extradition
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demands the US extradite the Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who he blames for the attempted coup.
Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry had said he had received no requests to extradite Gulen, who has been living in the US for several years.
Mastermind of Coup Identified
A Turkish senior official says that Akin Ozturk, a former air force commander, is one of the “masterminds of the coup.” He says initial evidence suggests ties between the failed coup’s masterminds, including Ozturk and the Gulenist Movement.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government rules.
He said the masterminds’ immediate goal was to seize control of key areas including Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge and Taksim Square. They also sought to take down satellite infrastructure and seize telecommunications hubs.
First Parliament Session Since the Revolt
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says 15 July will be remembered as “a festival for democracy,” the day when those who carried out a coup against the people were hit by a coup themselves.
Speaking to parliament in their first session since the revolt Friday, Yildirim says
He warned that anyone who tried to harm the will of the people will be “reminded of those coup plotters, whose lives have been snuffed out.”
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, used his speech to call for greater democracy in Turkey, and said the coup attempt had also shown the importance of freedom of speech.
Kilicdargolu said:
Protests Outside the Parliament
Hundreds of people waving Turkish flags have gathered outside of the parliament in Ankara to protest the coup attempt as legislators prepare to hold an emergency session.
In an unprecedented show of unity, all four parties represented in parliament are expected to issue a joint declaration on Saturday, condemning the attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.
The extraordinary session began with a minute of silence in honor of those who lost their lives during the coup, followed by the singing of the national anthem. Officials say 161 civilians or pro-government security forces were killed during the coup, along with an undetermined number of coup plotters.
Turkish Airlines Flights Resume
Turkish Airlines flights at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, Europe’s third-largest hub, returned to their normal schedule on Saturday, a spokesman said, after an attempted coup by the military targetted the facility.
Operational delays are however expected after the airport was shut to traffic overnight, the spokesman told Reuters.
The airline had diverted 35 airplanes and cancelled 32 flights on Saturday at Istanbul’s main airport, Ilker Ayci told the broadcaster.
US Response to Turkey Coup Attempt
US President Barack Obama will convene a National Security team meeting on Saturday to discuss the situation in Turkey, according to a statement issued by the White House.
Five Turkish Warships Return to Port
Turkey’s state-run news agency says five warships which reportedly set sail during the attempted coup have returned to their military port in northwest Turkey. The Anadolu Agency said the five frigates and one corvette arrived at the military naval installation at Golcuk on Saturday.
The report said it was not clear whether Navy Fleet Commander Admiral Veysel Kosele, whose whereabouts were not known, was aboard one of the ships.
Many Commanders Taken Hostage: Umit Dundar, Acting Chief
Many Turkish military commanders have been taken hostage by soldiers who attempted a coup, the acting Chief of Staff of the armed forces, Umit Dundar, said on Saturday.
He also said in a live statement broadcast on CNN Turk that Turkey has “closed the chapter” on coups for good, and that it would never be re-opened again.
Key Plotters Identified?
The Turkish media are reporting two men, who are suspected to have orchestrated the attempted coup.
One of them is General Akin Ozturk, former commander of the Turkish Air Force, who retired in August 2015, but continued to serve in the Supreme Military Council.
The second is Lieutenant-General Metin Iyidil, Combat and Support Training Commander of the Land Forces Training and Doctrine Command.
A Night of Horror: Indians Visiting Turkey Share Their Experiences
The Quint spoke to three Indian IT professionals who were present in Istanbul on Friday night when a faction of the Turkish military attempted the coup.
2,745 Judges Removed
Turkish authorities on Saturday removed 2,745 judges from duty following the attempted coup, broadcaster NTV reported, citing a decision by the High Council of Judges and Prosectors (HSYK).
Five members of HSYK, Turkey’s highest judiciary board, were also removed, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
Turkey Rises to Morning After
Here’s what the morning after the failed coup in Turkey looked like.
Detentions at Diyarbakir Air Base
Around 100 armed forces members detained at Diyarbakir Air Base in southeast Turkey in relation to attempted coup, said security sources to Reuters.
Bridges Reopened, Traffic Back to Normal
Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones reporter based in Istanbul tweeted:
Bosphorous Strait Reopened for Tankers
Turkish maritime authorities on Saturday re-opened Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait to transiting tankers after shutting the key shipping channel due to security reasons following an attempted coup, agent GAC said.
“The traffic for transit vessels is back to normal ... along with non-dangerous cargo carriers,” the shipping agent said in an e-mail.
President Erdogan’s Call to the People
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan sent a mass text message to Turkish mobile phones on Saturday imploring Turks to “stand up” for democracy and peace.
The message which came from “RT ERDOGAN” and was signed with his full name, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, also called on people to take to the streets against a “narrow cadre”.
Anti-Govt Group Takes Head of Naval Fleet Hostage
A Turkish group opposed to the government has taken over a frigate at Turkey’s Golcuk naval base and the head of the Turkish fleet is being held hostage, a senior Greek military source told Reuters on Saturday.
‘Will Examine Request for Political Asylum’: Greece
Greece will examine the request for political asylum by eight Turkish soldiers who fled to Greece in a helicopter earlier on Saturday, two Greek government sources said.
Greece arrested the men after they landed in the northern Greek city of Alexandroupolis. They are due to appear before a Greek prosecutor on Sunday, one of the officials said.
The Black Hawk helicopter the soldiers fled in will be returned to Turkey immediately the sources said.
Greek police said that the eight arrested Turks include two majors, four captains and two sergeants first class. This differs from Turkish sources that said they were two majors, a captain sand five privates.
Turkey, in the meantime, has asked Greece to return the soldiers who fled there in a helicopter, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Twitter.
PM Binali Yildrim Holds a Press Conference
The Turkish PM, Binali Yildirim, addressed the media to speak on the current state of the attempted coup in Turkey.
The PM also hinted at attempts at introducing death penalty laws to punish the ‘coup-plotters’.
The PM warned that any country that supported cleric Fethullah Gülen would be considered an enemy of Turkey.
200 Indian Students Stranded in Turkey
200 Indian students participating in a sports meet in Turkey are reportedly safe, but are still stranded. Military commanders reportedly taken hostage by soldiers were behind the coup, BBC reported.
Coup Situation Mostly Under Control, Says Turkey’s EU Leader, 194 Reportedly Dead
Turkey’s EU Minister, Omar Celik said that the coup situation was 90 percent under control, although a few commanders were still being held hostage.
194 people have been reported dead, which includes 104 rebel troops, 49 civilians, 41 police, Army Commander Umit Dundar said.
Turkey’s Military Determined to Wipe Out Influences of Islamic Cleric Fethulla Gulen
Turkey’s armed forces are determined to remove members of the “parallel structure” from their ranks, the military’s acting chief of staff said on Saturday.
Umit Dundar made the comment in a statement read live in the capital Ankara and carried by broadcaster CNN Turk.
The “parallel structure” is a shorthand commonly used by President Tayyip Erdogan and others in the government to refer to followers of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen.
Turkish Presidency Calls for Necessity to Stay in Charge of Streets, Says Second Attempt Possible
Another uprising attempt in Turkey could be staged at any time, Turkey’s presidency said on Twitter on Saturday, adding it was necessary to stay in charge of the streets.
Operations to take back control of the armed forces headquarters in Ankara were still underway, a Turkish official said. Police special forces and the military are securing the perimeter of the headquarters, the official said.
Operations to regain control of the armed forces headquarters in Ankara are still underway. Rear Admiral Nejat Atilla Demirhan and General Memduh Hakbilen, the chief of staff of Turkey’s command for the Aegean region, are said to be among the 1,563 detained.
Aman Sethi and Taruni Kumar from The Quint discuss the lead up to and the implications of the Turkey Coup Attempt.
The acting chief of military staff, First Army Commander Umit Dundar addressed the media, to speak on the attempted coup in Turkey:
In this video footage below, the Chief of Army, Hulusi Akar is seen being rescued.
Turkish citizens have reportedly been receiving SMS-es urging them to gather in streets in support of the government.
The death toll rose to 90, and the number of wounded to 1,154, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.
1,563 Military Personnel Arrested
Turkish authorities have detained 1,563 military personnel across the country after a coup attempt overnight by a faction of the military, an official told Reuters.
The state-run Anadolu agency said some 200 unarmed soldiers left Turkey’s military headquarters, to surrender to police.
“Failure of the Coup Will Strengthen Erdogan’s Hands”
The Quint spoke with Candar Yildiz, Editor at the Istanbul bureau of IMC-TV, an independent television station in Turkey to get a review of the situation. Here’s what she said:
- By most accounts, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s civilian government is back in control.
- The coup by a section of the military has failed.
Thousands have taken to the streets in support of Erdogan’s government.
- Last night’s violence was largely restricted to country capital Ankara, and Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. News from the provinces is still filtering in.
- The failure of the coup is likely to strengthen the hand of President Erdogan, whose government has - in the past - been in open conflict with the military.
Gulen Rejects President Erdogan’s Accusations, Condemned Coup Attempt
Fethulla Gulen, the US-based cleric whom President Erdogan had accused of betraying the government and directing the coup, rejected the claim.
The Guardian quoted Gulen as saying:
World Leaders Show Support to Turkey’s Democracy
Leaders from all over the world have raised concerns about the threat to democracy in Turkey, after an attempted coup by a faction of the Turkish military.
HAMAS
Gaza’s Hamas rulers have congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for quashing an attempted military coup.
The Islamic militant group condemned the attempt as a “vicious” plot to overthrow Erdogan.
Hamas supporters took to the streets in several places across the Gaza Strip to celebrate the coup’s failure, raising Turkish flags and posters bearing Erdogan’s image.
IRAN
Iran said on Friday it was deeply concerned about the crisis in neighbouring Turkey after reports of an attempted military coup. Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of Iran said:
INDIA
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs called upon all those involved to support democracy and avoid bloodshed and cautioned Indians against travelling to Turkey.
EUROPEAN UNION
European Council President, Donald Tusk said that tensions there cannot be resolved by guns.
Tusk, speaking in Mongolia during a regional summit on Saturday, also said the consequences of the coup attempt would be crucial for the whole region and for EU-Turkey relations.
UNITED STATES
US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said on Friday she supported Turkey’s civilian government as it faced an attempted coup.
Clinton said in a statement she was following the events in Turkey “with great concern.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday he emphasized the United States’ “absolute support” for Turkey’s democratically elected, civilian government during a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
UNITED NATIONS
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed for calm in Turkey on Friday as the world body sought to clarify the situation in the country, said a UN spokesman.
RUSSIA
The Kremlin said it was gravely concerned about events in Turkey, and that it had instructed officials to help Russian nationals in Turkey return home at the earliest opportunity.
SOUTH KOREA
The South Korean government expressed grave concern about the situation arising from actions by a part of Turkish military and expressed hopes of the situation to be swiftly brought under control through enforcement of democratic and constitutional order and stability is restored.
GERMANY
Turkey’s democracy must be respected and Berlin is supporting the elected government in Ankara, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman said on Saturday.
JAPAN
Japan PM Shinzo Abe said Turkey’s democracy must be respected.
CHINA
China called on Turkey to restore order and stability as soon as possible, state television cited China’s foreign ministry as saying on Saturday.
QATAR
Qatar condemned the attempted military coup and said the emir telephoned Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to express support for measures taken by the government to maintain stability in the country.
Turkish Intelligence Agency Working With Security Forces Against Coup Plotters
Turkish intelligence agency HQ was attacked by military helicopters. The coup attempt saw heavy machine gun fire.
The Chief of Turkish Intelligence, Hakan Fidan was in constant contact with the president and the PM from a secure location through the coup attempt.
The intelligence agency has been working with security forces against the plotter of the coup in the ongoing operations in Istanbul and Ankara.
Head of Turkish Military Rescued
The head of Turkey’s armed forces has been rescued after being held hostage during an attempted coup by a military faction which used tanks and attack helicopters to try to seize power overnight, a senior Turkish official said.
Army Chief Hulusi Akar was being held by rebel soldiers during the attempted coup, Turkish broadcasters said.
General Fahri Kasirga was also rescued after being kidnapped by coup soldiers.
Turkey’s police chief said 16 coup plotters have been killed in clashes at Turkey’s paramilitary headquarters.
Attacks on Parliament Largely Stopped, Several Officers Sacked, 1000 Injured
Attacks on the Turkish parliament and presidential palace have largely stopped, a senior Turkish official said.
29 colonels and five generals were sacked, according to the Turkish Interior Minister.
Turkish Red Cross said that 1000 people were left injured in the attempted coup.
History of Coups in Turkey
754 People Taken in Custody, PM Calls for Emergency Meeting
754 members of the armed forces taken into custody over coup attempt, Turkey’s Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said.
The State-run Anadolu Agency said Turkish prime minister called all legislators for an emergency meeting on Saturday.
Erdogan Supporters Attack Pro-Coup Soldiers
Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attacked a group of soldiers who had surrendered on an Istanbul bridge after taking part in an attempted coup overnight, before police intervened to rescue them, a Reuters witness said.
Erdogan had repeatedly urged his supporters to take to the streets to help put down the coup attempt.
Pro-Coup Military Faction Still Fighting, Urges People to Stay Indoors
An email from the Turkish military General Staff’s press office address, on Saturday said the faction of officers behind an attempted military coup overnight was still determinedly fighting all those who try to oppose it.
Calling itself the Peace at Home Movement, the faction also called on people to stay indoors for their own safety.
60 Dead, 336 Detained
Updated figures now say that at least 60 people have died overnight in the attempted military coup. Speaking to the media, Turkey’s Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said that some 336 people thought to have been involved in the plot have been arrested.
New Acting Chief of Military Staff Appointed
The Turkish PM, Binali Yildirim appointed First Army Commander Umit Dundar as the acting chief of military staff, while the whereabouts of the current head of armed forces, who was reportedly taken hostage, remains unclear.
50 Soldiers Surrender in Istanbul
Around 50 soldiers involved in an attempted military coup in Turkey surrendered on one of the bridges across the Bosphorus in Istanbul on Saturday, abandoning their tanks with their hands raised in the air, live footage on CNN Turk showed.
Turkish Authorities Shoot Down Military Helicopter
Turkish authorities shot down a military helicopter, apparently operated by soldiers trying to stage a coup, as it fired on the offices of state satellite operator Turksat, in the capital Ankara on Saturday, news broadcast service CNN Turk said.
Erdogan Says President is in Power
An attempted Turkish military coup appeared to crumble in the early hours of Saturday after crowds answered President Tayyip Erdogan’s call to take to the streets to support him.
Erdogan, who had been holidaying on the southwest coast when the coup was launched by a faction in the armed forces, flew into Istanbul before dawn on Saturday and was shown on TV appearing among a crowd of supporters outside Ataturk Airport.
The Turkish president urged supporters not to leave public squares until the situation was restored to normalcy.
Addressing a sizable crowd in Istanbul, Erdogan said that the government will succeed. He said that the armed forces from the highest to the lowest level must know that they cannot govern the state. He said that the coup forces will be treated as “terrorists”.
The president said that he will address “those in Pennsylvania”, by which he meant cleric Fethullah Gülen and his supporters , whom he accused of betraying the government.
The crowd of a thousand people or more, chanted– one nation, one flag, one motherland.
A Turkish commander who surrendered to the police tells his unit to lay down arms and surrender.
A group of soldiers, including high-ranked military officers have been taken into custody by police units.
Govt Asks Indians to Avoid Traveling to Turkey Until Situation Normalises
The India Ministry of External Affairs called upon all those involved to support democracy and avoid bloodshed.
Maritime Authorities Shut Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait
Maritime authorities shut Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait to transiting tankers on Saturday “for security and safety” reasons, shipping agent GAC said.
Some cargo carriers like bulkers were still being allowed to travel through the key shipping channel which divides Istanbul into European and Asian sides, GAC said. A Reuters witness reported seeing no traffic at the southern mouth of the strait at daybreak.
Bomb Attacks on Parliament Continue, Rebel Soldier Warned
Senior Turkish official said that 13 soldiers who tried to enter the presidential palace during the attempt at coup, have all been arrested.
The official also said that bomb attacks on parliament are still continuing, adding that rebel soldiers have been warned they will be shot down if they attempt to use more military aircraft.
42 Killed in Ankara
Anadolu Agency reported the Turkish prosecutor as saying that 42 people were killed in the Turkish capital of Ankara during the attempted coup.
17 police officers killed in the coup attempt in Turkey.
Soldiers Regain Control of Ataturk Airport in Instanbul
Soldiers took control of Istanbul’s main Ataturk airport on Saturday shortly after President Erdogan landed there and condemned what he said was an attempted coup by a faction in the military.
The state-run Anadolu Agency said operations at the airport were back to normal and that flights would resume again at 06:00 am (0300 GMT).
CNN Live has resumed their broadcast of the coup.
Turkish PM Says Fighter Jets Sent to Tackle ‘Rogue Military Aircrafts’
Rebel soldiers in Ankara and Istanbul were still firing from the air early on Saturday, although fighter jets have taken off to deal with rogue military aircrafts, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said, adding that more than 130 military officers have been arrested in connection to the coup.
Yildrim also said that the coup plotters opened fire on civilians without any hesitation.
Here to Stay With My People, Uprising an Act of Treason: Erdogan
President Erdogan says he will stay “with my people” and that he wasn’t going anywhere. He also called the uprising an act of treason, which is a reason to “clean up” the armed forces.
Erdogan said millions were in the streets protesting the coup attempt, which he described as the work of followers of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.
Erdogan had long accused Gulen of attempting to use his followers in the judiciary and military to overthrow the government.
President Erdogan appeared among the crowds in Istanbul, just after his flight landed.
CNN Turk Halts Broadcast, Presenter Says Soldiers Entered Control Room
Turkish private broadcaster CNN Turk halted its live news broadcast early on Saturday, as a presenter said soldiers had entered the studio control room.
The channel showed a live shot of its empty red and white studio. The sound of gunfire was heard on audio, as well as the sound of a crowd outside the station.
Soldiers who attempted the coup have turned over their weapons to armed police forces in Istanbul’s Taksim Square.
An explosion has been heard at the Ataturk airport in Istanbul.
Two more explosions have been heard at Istanbul’s central and busy Taksim Square.
Members of Turkish Parliament are hiding inside shelters at the Parliament, according to Reuters.
Two more explosions reportedly hit the Turkish Parliament in Ankara, where 12 have been killed and 2 are critical.
Turkish officials have said that President Erdogan’s plane is landing in Istanbul.
PM Yildirim says the situation is largely under control. The Istanbul airport hopes to resume international flights soon.
Two civilians dead as coup-attempters open fire on Istanbul crowd, according to Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency.
MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup has opened helplines at the Indian Embassy in Ankara for people to receive updates about their family and friends.
Turkish Prime Minister declares no-fly zone over Ankara, according to Reuters.
13 Military Officers Detained
Large explosion reported at Istanbul, according to Conflict News.
13 terrorist FETO/PDY member soldiers, including 3 ranking officers have been detained after attempting to enter the presidential complex, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.
Bomb Hits Turkish Parliament
A bomb has hit the Turkish Parliament in Ankara, reports Reuters.
Meanwhile, a US-based organization close to Turkish Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen has denied involvement in Friday’s coup attempt against President Erdogan.
Turkish fighter jets have shot down a military helicopter over the capital city of Ankara in Turkey. The helicopter was being used by plotters attempting a coup.
Meanwhile, Reuters say that 17 police were killed at a Special Forces headquarters in Ankara. However, Reuters was not immediately able to confirm that report.
Bulgaria has bolstered patrols on border with Turkey. Germany has said that democratic order in Turkey must be respected, while Greece foreign minister has cut his trip short over the crisis in Turkey.
A loud explosion was heard in the Turkish capital Ankara early on Saturday as the city is in the throes of a military siege.
Tanks have opened fire at the parliament building in the Turkish capital Ankara, after the military said it had seized control of the government in a coup.
Meanwhile, President Erdogan has called on his followers to take to the streets to defend his government and has said that the coup plotters would pay a heavy price. He also said that the Turkish people will overcome this crisis.
Gunfire has been heard at Istanbul airport as well as in the Presidential complex in Ankara. Military helicopter have opened fire over the Turkish capital in Ankara. People are out in large numbers on the streets in Taksim Square.
United Nations chief Ban Ki-Moon has appealed for calm in Turkey. the UN seeks to clarify situation.
Turkish Justice Minister says members of a movement loyal to US based cleric Gulen in the army attempted the coup. Explosions are heard in the capital city of Ankara.
Gunfire was heard near the Turkish General Staff. United Kingdom has expressed concern over the military coup.
President Erdogan has said that the military uprising is conducted by a minority in the Army and has called out to people to get out on streets. He has said he will return to Ankara shortly.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yilidirm said on Twitter that the security forces would retaliate against an attempted coup and that everything necessary would be done, even if that meant fatalities.
Martial law has been imposed in Turkey. United States tells citizens in Turkey to fid safe shelter.
Turkey’s President Erdogan is reported to be safe and has called the military siege an act encouraged by ‘parallel structure.’ President Barack Obama has been briefed on the ‘the unfolding situation’ in Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister has said that the military siege is underway at some important buildings. Celebratory gunfire is heard in the Syrian capital, Damascus after report of military coup in Turkey.
Turkey’s Armed Forces Claim to Have Taken Power, Chief of Military Taken Hostage
Turkey’s armed forces have claimed that they have taken power in the country. Soldiers have entered the ruling party’s offices.
The Turkish chief of military staff is among those who has been taken hostage in Ankara. All flights from Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport have been cancelled.
Rule of Law Should remain Priority: Turkish Armed Forces
Soldiers are inside the buildings of the state broadcaster and access to social media like Facebook and Twitter has been restricted.
The military has said that all of Turkey’s existing foreign relations would be maintained and that the rule of law would remain the priority. Turkey’s armed forces said on Friday they had taken power in the country to protect the democratic order and to maintain human rights.
If successful, the overthrow of President Tayyip Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey since 2003, would amount to one of the biggest shifts in power in the Middle East in years.
A group within Turkey’s military has attempted to overthrow the government and security forces have been called in to ‘do what is necessary’, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said. According to Reuters, Turkish military has taken over.
Al Jazeera has reported that jets are flying over Ankara, gunshots are heard and security forces have shut down Istanbul bridges.
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