Scores Dead, Injured Following Failed Turkey Coup

Security operations are continuing in Turkey following a failed military coup attempt overnight that left scores of people dead and more than 1,000 injured.

Although the government said the situation in the country is “under control,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan posted a message on Twitter urging supporters to remain in the streets to prevent “a new flare-up” of coup activity.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Haberturk television on July 16 that 161 people were killed and 1,440 were injured during the unrest the previous night.

He did not appear to be including the 104 soldiers supporting the coup who were reported killed overnight, meaning the death total for the unrest would be 265.

Yildirim said 2,839 military personnel supporting the coup attempt had been arrested.

He said the coup attempt was a “black mark” on Turkish democracy.

Earlier, government officials said five generals and 29 colonels have been removed from their posts for suspected involvement in the bid to overthrow Erdogan’s government.

The acting military chief of staff, General Umit Dundar, said that 41 police officers were among the dead.

“The coup attempt has been foiled,” Dundar said at an Ankara news conference.

Dundar said that an unknown number of loyalist military officers are still being held by coup plotters in unknown locations.

Full story: rferl.org

RFE/RL