President Recep Tayyip Erdogan battled to regain control over Turkey today after a coup bid by discontented soldiers, as signs grew that the most serious challenge to his 13 years of dominant rule was faltering.
After hours of chaos and violence unseen in decades, Erdogan ended uncertainty over his whereabouts, flying into Istanbul airport in the early hours and making a defiant speech cheered by hundreds of supporters.
Soldiers and tanks took to the streets late last night and multiple explosions rang out throughout the night in Ankara and Istanbul, the two biggest cities of the strategic NATO member with a population of 80 million.
After a night of drama and bloodshed, at least 160 people had died and more than 1,150 people were wounded.
Officials insisted the coup bid was falling apart with over 1,560 officers held and close to 200 unarmed soldiers at the Turkish military HQ surrendering.
Crowds of flag-waving supporters of Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) appeared to have turned the tide, defying orders of a curfew and marching out onto the streets to block the attempt to overthrow the regime.
(With inputs from PTI.)
Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim
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