The United States urged Turkey on Saturday to exercise restraint after a failed military coup sparked a government crackdown, and warned its NATO ally that public suggestions of a US role in the plot were &quot;utterly false&quot; and harmful to relations. 
 
President Barack Obama urged parties on all sides of the crisis to avoid destabilising Turkey and follow the rule of law after the coup attempt against President Tayyip Erdogan. 
 
The coup attempt complicated US-led efforts to combat Islamic State. Turkey closed its airspace to military aircraft and power was cut off to Incirlik air base, which US forces use to launch air attacks against the militant group. 
 
US officials were working with Turkish officials to resume air operations quickly, the Pentagon said. 
 
Secretary of State John Kerry told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that authorities should respect the rule of law during their probe of the coup. 
 
He also said &quot;public insinuations or claims about any role by the United States in the failed coup attempt are utterly false and harmful to our bilateral relations,&quot; the State Department said. 
 
Turkey has long been a key US ally but relations have been strained in recent years and Erdogan&#39;s government has accused US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of being behind the coup attempt. 
 
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said any country that stands by Gulen will be considered at war with Turkey, and Erdogan urged Washington to deport the cleric.&nbsp;Kerry said the United States was willing to help Turkey as it tries to identify those involved in the coup attempt, but made clear it would only act if there was evidence against Gulen. 
 
&quot;We fully anticipate that there will be questions raised about Mr Gulen, and obviously we invite the government of Turkey ... to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny and the United States will accept that and look at it and make judgments appropriately,&quot; he said. 
 
Gulen has condemned the coup attempt and denied any involvement in it. 
 
Obama conferred with his national security and foreign policy advisers on Saturday morning and reiterated his support for the &quot;democratically-elected, civilian&quot; government of Turkey. 
 
&quot;While we have no indications as of yet that Americans were killed or injured in the violence, the president and his team lamented the loss of life and registered the vital need for all parties in Turkey to act within the rule of law and to avoid actions that would lead to further violence or instability,&quot; the White House said. 
 
Obama noted the United States needed continued cooperation from Turkey in the fight against terrorism. 
 
Forces loyal to Erdogan largely crushed the last remnants of the coup on Saturday as he launched a purge of the armed forces to tighten his grip on power.&nbsp;Turkey scrambled jets throughout Friday night to resist the coup launched by a faction within Turkey&#39;s military that saw rebels piloting military aircraft. 
 
The Incirlik air base near Adana in the southeast of the country was running on internal power sources after a loss of commercial power to the base, the Pentagon said. 
 
&quot;US officials are working with the Turks to resume air operations there as soon as possible,&quot; said Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook. &quot;In the meantime, US Central Command is adjusting flight operations in the counter-ISIL campaign to minimise any effects on the campaign.&quot; 
 
Threat to coalition fight 
 
Erdogan has cooperated with Washington in the fight against Islamic State, but relations have been rocky with US criticism of Erdogan&#39;s increasing authoritarianism, Turkey&#39;s support for Islamist opposition groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the slow pace in sealing Turkey&#39;s border with Syria to foreign fighters. 
 
The closing of the airspace over Incirlik effectively grounded US aircraft and drones that have been instrumental in the campaign to crush Islamic State in Syria, including supporting drives by Syrian Kurds and moderate Arabs, who are being advised by US special forces, to seize the militant-held city of Manbij and Raqqa, the &quot;capital&quot; of the caliphate declared by Islamic State. 
 
&quot;Clearly the variable here is how long the closure will last,&quot; said Jeffrey White, a former senior Defense Intelligence Agency analyst now with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. &quot;If we&#39;re unable to fly from Incirlik, it will have a significant impact on the air campaign.&quot; 
 
A Turkish presidency official in Istanbul said the move was temporary and aimed at preventing rogue aircraft from targetting civilians and government buildings. 
 
&quot;This is a short-term measure which won&#39;t have significant effect on coalition operations,&quot; the official said. &quot;We have discussed this measure with our colleagues in Washington as well and they understand our concerns.&quot; 
 
A prolonged closure of Incirlik&#39;s airspace could force the United States to divert aircraft based in the Persian Gulf to the Manbij and Raqqa offensives, constraining the air power available to support Iraqi and US forces involved in operations against Islamic State. 
 
It could also complicate the Pentagon&rsquo;s ability to resupply and aid US special forces inside Syria. 
 
(Reuters)

US President urges to exercise restraint, but also warns NATO-ally against insinuating America had anything to do with the coup

The United States urged Turkey on Saturday to exercise restraint after a failed military coup sparked a government crackdown, and warned its NATO ally that public suggestions of a US role in the plot were "utterly false" and harmful to relations. President Barack Obama urged parties on all sides of the crisis to avoid destabilising Turkey and follow the rule of law after the coup attempt against President Tayyip Erdogan. The coup attempt complicated US-led efforts to combat Islamic State. Turkey closed its airspace to military aircraft and power was cut off to Incirlik air base, which US forces use to launch air attacks against the militant group. US officials were working with Turkish officials to resume air operations quickly, the Pentagon said. Secretary of State John Kerry told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that authorities should respect the rule of law during their probe of the coup. He also said "public insinuations or claims about any role by the United States in the failed coup attempt are utterly false and harmful to our bilateral relations," the State Department said. Turkey has long been a key US ally but relations have been strained in recent years and Erdogan's government has accused US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of being behind the coup attempt. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said any country that stands by Gulen will be considered at war with Turkey, and Erdogan urged Washington to deport the cleric. Kerry said the United States was willing to help Turkey as it tries to identify those involved in the coup attempt, but made clear it would only act if there was evidence against Gulen. "We fully anticipate that there will be questions raised about Mr Gulen, and obviously we invite the government of Turkey ... to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny and the United States will accept that and look at it and make judgments appropriately," he said. Gulen has condemned the coup attempt and denied any involvement in it. Obama conferred with his national security and foreign policy advisers on Saturday morning and reiterated his support for the "democratically-elected, civilian" government of Turkey. "While we have no indications as of yet that Americans were killed or injured in the violence, the president and his team lamented the loss of life and registered the vital need for all parties in Turkey to act within the rule of law and to avoid actions that would lead to further violence or instability," the White House said. Obama noted the United States needed continued cooperation from Turkey in the fight against terrorism. Forces loyal to Erdogan largely crushed the last remnants of the coup on Saturday as he launched a purge of the armed forces to tighten his grip on power. Turkey scrambled jets throughout Friday night to resist the coup launched by a faction within Turkey's military that saw rebels piloting military aircraft. The Incirlik air base near Adana in the southeast of the country was running on internal power sources after a loss of commercial power to the base, the Pentagon said. "US officials are working with the Turks to resume air operations there as soon as possible," said Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook. "In the meantime, US Central Command is adjusting flight operations in the counter-ISIL campaign to minimise any effects on the campaign." Threat to coalition fight Erdogan has cooperated with Washington in the fight against Islamic State, but relations have been rocky with US criticism of Erdogan's increasing authoritarianism, Turkey's support for Islamist opposition groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the slow pace in sealing Turkey's border with Syria to foreign fighters. The closing of the airspace over Incirlik effectively grounded US aircraft and drones that have been instrumental in the campaign to crush Islamic State in Syria, including supporting drives by Syrian Kurds and moderate Arabs, who are being advised by US special forces, to seize the militant-held city of Manbij and Raqqa, the "capital" of the caliphate declared by Islamic State. "Clearly the variable here is how long the closure will last," said Jeffrey White, a former senior Defense Intelligence Agency analyst now with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "If we're unable to fly from Incirlik, it will have a significant impact on the air campaign." A Turkish presidency official in Istanbul said the move was temporary and aimed at preventing rogue aircraft from targetting civilians and government buildings. "This is a short-term measure which won't have significant effect on coalition operations," the official said. "We have discussed this measure with our colleagues in Washington as well and they understand our concerns." A prolonged closure of Incirlik's airspace could force the United States to divert aircraft based in the Persian Gulf to the Manbij and Raqqa offensives, constraining the air power available to support Iraqi and US forces involved in operations against Islamic State. It could also complicate the Pentagon’s ability to resupply and aid US special forces inside Syria. (Reuters)

Any country that stands by Gulen will be considered at war with Turkey: Prime Minister Yildirim

The United Nations Security Council failed on Saturday to condemn the violence and unrest in Turkey, after Egypt objected to a statement that called on all parties to &quot;respect the democratically elected government of Turkey,&quot; diplomats said. 
 
The US-drafted statement, seen by Reuters, also expressed grave concern over the situation in Turkey, urged the parties to show restraint, avoid any violence or bloodshed, and called for an urgent end to the crisis and return to rule of law. 
 
Statements by the 15-member Security Council have to be agreed by consensus. 
 
&quot;We proposed different language that respects democratic and constitutional principles, but the Americans refused to engage,&quot; Egypt&#39;s UN ambassador Amr Aboulatta told Reuters. 
 
?Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is a former general who overthrew elected President Mohamed Mursi, of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, in 2013 after mass protests against Mursi. Turkey provided support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. 
 
Diplomats said Egypt asked for a call for all parties to &quot;respect the democratically elected government of Turkey&quot; to be removed from the draft statement, saying the council is &quot;in no position to qualify, or label that government - or any other government for that matter - as democratically elected or not&quot;. 
 
After the United States and Britain objected to the proposed change to the text, Egypt proposed that the council call on the parties in Turkey to &quot;respect the democratic and constitutional principles and the rule of law,&quot; diplomats said. 
 
Negotiations on the text ended at this point, diplomats said. 
 
The Egyptian foreign ministry said that it was &quot;surprised that its proposed amendment was not taken up, and with the claim that it is obstructing the release of the statement.&quot; 
 
Turkish forces loyal to President Tayyip Erdogan largely crushed an attempted military coup on Saturday after crowds answered his call to take to the streets in support of the government and dozens of rebels abandoned their tanks. 
 
(Reuters)

Egyptian diplomats said the UN council is in no position to qualify or label any government as democratically elected or not

The United Nations Security Council failed on Saturday to condemn the violence and unrest in Turkey, after Egypt objected to a statement that called on all parties to "respect the democratically elected government of Turkey," diplomats said. The US-drafted statement, seen by Reuters, also expressed grave concern over the situation in Turkey, urged the parties to show restraint, avoid any violence or bloodshed, and called for an urgent end to the crisis and return to rule of law. Statements by the 15-member Security Council have to be agreed by consensus. "We proposed different language that respects democratic and constitutional principles, but the Americans refused to engage," Egypt's UN ambassador Amr Aboulatta told Reuters. ?Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is a former general who overthrew elected President Mohamed Mursi, of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, in 2013 after mass protests against Mursi. Turkey provided support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Diplomats said Egypt asked for a call for all parties to "respect the democratically elected government of Turkey" to be removed from the draft statement, saying the council is "in no position to qualify, or label that government - or any other government for that matter - as democratically elected or not". After the United States and Britain objected to the proposed change to the text, Egypt proposed that the council call on the parties in Turkey to "respect the democratic and constitutional principles and the rule of law," diplomats said. Negotiations on the text ended at this point, diplomats said. The Egyptian foreign ministry said that it was "surprised that its proposed amendment was not taken up, and with the claim that it is obstructing the release of the statement." Turkish forces loyal to President Tayyip Erdogan largely crushed an attempted military coup on Saturday after crowds answered his call to take to the streets in support of the government and dozens of rebels abandoned their tanks. (Reuters)

Egypt blocks UN call to respect 'democratically elected' government in Turkey

The death toll from Turkey&#39;s failed military coup has risen to more than 290, the foreign ministry said in a statement today, adding that more than 1,400 people were wounded.

Of the dead, more than 100 were participants in the coup, the ministry said, adding that there was no doubt the coup had been staged by followers of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States, has denied involvement in the attempt to overthrow the government, condemning it as an affront to democracy. 
 
(Reuters)

1,400 people have been wounded. The coup was 'undoubtedly staged by followers of US-based Muslim cleric Gulen', foreign ministry said

The death toll from Turkey's failed military coup has risen to more than 290, the foreign ministry said in a statement today, adding that more than 1,400 people were wounded. Of the dead, more than 100 were participants in the coup, the ministry said, adding that there was no doubt the coup had been staged by followers of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States, has denied involvement in the attempt to overthrow the government, condemning it as an affront to democracy. (Reuters)

Turkey coup death toll crosses 290

Turkish military forces on Saturday opened fire on crowds gathered in Istanbul following a coup attempt, causing casualties, an AFP photographer said.

The soldiers opened fire on grounds around the first bridge across the Bosphorus dividing Europe and Asia, said the photographer, who saw wounded people being taken to ambulances. 
 
(AFP)

There are an unconfirmed number of casualties

Turkish military forces on Saturday opened fire on crowds gathered in Istanbul following a coup attempt, causing casualties, an AFP photographer said. The soldiers opened fire on grounds around the first bridge across the Bosphorus dividing Europe and Asia, said the photographer, who saw wounded people being taken to ambulances. (AFP)

Turkey's military opens fire on crowd following coup attempt

Forces loyal to the Turkish government fought today to crush the remnants of a military coup attempt which crumbled after crowds answered President Tayyip Erdogan&#39;s call to take to the streets and dozens of rebels abandoned their tanks. 
 
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said 161 were killed in the coup attempt against the government, including many civilians, after a faction of the armed forces tried to seize power using tanks and attack helicopters. 
 
Some strafed the headquarters of Turkish intelligence and Parliament in the capital, Ankara, and others seized a major bridge in Istanbul. 
 
Yildirim, speaking outside his Cankaya palace in Ankara, and flanked by top general Hulusi Akar who was held during the coup attempt, also described the putsch bid as a &quot;black stain&quot; on Turkish democracy. He added that 1,440 people had been wounded.&nbsp; 
 
Erdogan appeared to accuse the coup plotters of trying to kill him and said he would purge the armed forces, which in the past have staged a number of successful coups, even if not for more than 30 years. 
 
&quot;They will pay a heavy price for this,&quot; he said. &quot;This uprising is a gift from God to us because this will be a reason to cleanse our army.&quot; Later, the presidency warned on Twitter that another uprising could be staged at any time. 
 
Turkish authorities have already detained 2,839 soldiers on suspicion of involvement, officials said. The chief of staff, who had been reported held hostage by the rebels, has been rescued, a senior official said. 
 
A successful overthrow of Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey since 2003, would have marked one of the biggest shifts in the Middle East in years, transforming a major US ally while war rages on its border. 
 
However, a failed coup attempt could still destabilise a NATO member that lies between the European Union and the chaos of Syria, with Islamic State bombers targeting Turkish cities and the government also at war with Kurdish separatists. 
 
Erdogan, who had been holidaying on the southwest coast when the coup was launched, flew into Istanbul before dawn today and was shown on TV outside Ataturk airport. 
 
Addressing a crowd of thousands of flag-waving supporters at the airport later, Erdogan said the government remained at the helm, even though disturbances continued in Ankara. 
 
Erdogan, whose Islamist-rooted ideology lies at odds with supporters of modern Turkey&#39;s secular principles, said the plotters had tried to attack him in the resort town of Marmaris. 
 
&quot;They bombed places I had departed right after I was gone,&quot; he said. &quot;They probably thought we were still there.&quot; 
 
In a live statement broadcast on CNN Turk, Umit Dundar, acting armed forces chief of staff said many military commanders have been taken hostage by the rebels but he declared that Turkey has &quot;closed the chapter&quot; on coups for good. 
 
Erdogan&#39;s AK Party, with roots in Islamism, has long had a strained relationship with the military and nationalists. The armed forces have had a history of mounting coups to defend secularism, but have not seized power directly since 1980. 
 
Operations involving police special forces and the military were still underway to regain control of the armed forces headquarters in Ankara, one official said. 
 
Smartphone address 
 
In a night that sometimes verged on the bizarre, Erdogan took to social media even though he is an avowed enemy of the technology when his opponents use it, frequently targeting Twitter and Facebook. 
 
Erdogan addressed the nation via a video calling service, appearing on the smartphone of a CNN Turk reporter who held it up to a studio camera so viewers to the network could see him. 
 
Erdogan said the coup attempt had been encouraged by the &quot;parallel structure&quot;. This is his shorthand for followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric whom he has repeatedly accused of trying to foment an uprising in the military, media and judiciary. 
 
Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States, once supported Erdogan, but became a nemesis. The pro-Gulen Alliance for Shared Values said it condemned any military intervention in domestic politics. 
 
The pro-coup faction said in an emailed statement from the Turkish military general staff&#39;s media office address that it was determinedly still fighting. 
 
Gunfire and explosions had rocked both Istanbul and Ankara through the night after soldiers took up positions in both cities and ordered state television to read out a statement declaring they had taken power. However, by dawn the noise of fighting had died down considerably. 
 
About 50 soldiers involved in the coup surrendered on one of the bridges across the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul after dawn today, abandoning their tanks with their hands raised in the air. Reuters witnesses saw government supporters attack the pro-coup soldiers who had surrendered. 
 
Earlier, around 30 pro-coup soldiers had surrendered their weapons after being surrounded by armed police in Istanbul&#39;s central Taksim square. 
 
They were taken away in police vans as a fighter jet repeatedly screeched overhead at low altitude, causing a boom that shook surrounding buildings and shattered windows. 
 
Lawmakers in hiding 
 
The coup began with warplanes and helicopters roaring over Ankara and troops moving in to seal off the bridges over the Bosphorus Strait that links Europe and Asia in Istanbul. 
 
Authorities had shut the strait to tanker traffic, shipping agent GAC said. 
 
In the early hours, lawmakers were hiding in shelters inside the parliament building, which was being fired on by tanks. Smoke rose up from nearby, Reuters witnesses said. An opposition MP told Reuters,the Parliament was hit three times and that people had been wounded. 
 
A senior Turkish official said later today attacks on the Parliament had &quot;largely stopped&quot;. 
 
A Turkish military commander also said fighter jets had shot down a helicopter used by the coup plotters over Ankara. State-run Anadolu news agency said 17 police were killed at special forces headquarters there. 
 
Momentum turned against the coup plotters as the night wore on. Crowds defied orders to stay indoors, gathering at major squares in Istanbul and Ankara, waving flags and chanting. 
 
&quot;We have a prime minister, we have a chief of command, we&#39;re not going to leave this country to degenerates,&quot; shouted one man, as groups of government supporters climbed onto a tank near Ataturk airport. 
 
US secretary of state John Kerry said he phoned the Turkish foreign minister and underlined &quot;absolute support for Turkey&#39;s democratically elected, civilian government and democratic institutions&quot;. 
 
European Council president Donald Tusk called for a swift return to Turkey&#39;s constitutional order, saying tensions there could not be resolved by guns. 
 
Flights resume&nbsp; 
 
Flag carrier Turkish Airways resumed flights today, Erdogan said. Malaysia Airports, the operator of Sabiha Gokcen International airport, Istanbul&#39;s second airport, said it would continue to process flights in and out of Turkey. 
 
Soldiers took control of Turkish Radio and Television coperation (TRT) state television, which announced a countrywide curfew and martial law. An announcer read a statement on the orders of the pro-coup faction that accused the government of eroding the democratic and secular rule of law. Turkey would be run by a &quot;peace council&quot; that would ensure the safety of the population, the statement said. 
 
TRT went off the air shortly afterwards. It resumed broadcasting early morning today. 
 
Turkey is one of the main backers of opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in that country&#39;s civil war, host to 2.7 million Syrian refugees and launchpad last year for the biggest influx of migrants to Europe since World War II. 
 
Turkey has suffered numerous bombings and shootings this year, including an attack two weeks ago by Islamists at Ataturk airport that killed more than 40 people, as well as those staged by Kurdish militants. 
 
After serving as prime minister from 2003, Erdogan was elected President in 2014 with plans to alter the constitution to give the previously ceremonial presidency far greater executive powers. 
 
Turkey has enjoyed an economic boom during his time in office and has dramatically expanded its influence across the region. However, opponents say his rule has become increasingly authoritaries. 
 
(Agencies)

President Erdogan tweeted that the uprising is a gift from God, giving him an opportunity to cleanse the army

Forces loyal to the Turkish government fought today to crush the remnants of a military coup attempt which crumbled after crowds answered President Tayyip Erdogan's call to take to the streets and dozens of rebels abandoned their tanks. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said 161 were killed in the coup attempt against the government, including many civilians, after a faction of the armed forces tried to seize power using tanks and attack helicopters. Some strafed the headquarters of Turkish intelligence and Parliament in the capital, Ankara, and others seized a major bridge in Istanbul. Yildirim, speaking outside his Cankaya palace in Ankara, and flanked by top general Hulusi Akar who was held during the coup attempt, also described the putsch bid as a "black stain" on Turkish democracy. He added that 1,440 people had been wounded. Erdogan appeared to accuse the coup plotters of trying to kill him and said he would purge the armed forces, which in the past have staged a number of successful coups, even if not for more than 30 years. "They will pay a heavy price for this," he said. "This uprising is a gift from God to us because this will be a reason to cleanse our army." Later, the presidency warned on Twitter that another uprising could be staged at any time. Turkish authorities have already detained 2,839 soldiers on suspicion of involvement, officials said. The chief of staff, who had been reported held hostage by the rebels, has been rescued, a senior official said. A successful overthrow of Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey since 2003, would have marked one of the biggest shifts in the Middle East in years, transforming a major US ally while war rages on its border. However, a failed coup attempt could still destabilise a NATO member that lies between the European Union and the chaos of Syria, with Islamic State bombers targeting Turkish cities and the government also at war with Kurdish separatists. Erdogan, who had been holidaying on the southwest coast when the coup was launched, flew into Istanbul before dawn today and was shown on TV outside Ataturk airport. Addressing a crowd of thousands of flag-waving supporters at the airport later, Erdogan said the government remained at the helm, even though disturbances continued in Ankara. Erdogan, whose Islamist-rooted ideology lies at odds with supporters of modern Turkey's secular principles, said the plotters had tried to attack him in the resort town of Marmaris. "They bombed places I had departed right after I was gone," he said. "They probably thought we were still there." In a live statement broadcast on CNN Turk, Umit Dundar, acting armed forces chief of staff said many military commanders have been taken hostage by the rebels but he declared that Turkey has "closed the chapter" on coups for good. Erdogan's AK Party, with roots in Islamism, has long had a strained relationship with the military and nationalists. The armed forces have had a history of mounting coups to defend secularism, but have not seized power directly since 1980. Operations involving police special forces and the military were still underway to regain control of the armed forces headquarters in Ankara, one official said. Smartphone address In a night that sometimes verged on the bizarre, Erdogan took to social media even though he is an avowed enemy of the technology when his opponents use it, frequently targeting Twitter and Facebook. Erdogan addressed the nation via a video calling service, appearing on the smartphone of a CNN Turk reporter who held it up to a studio camera so viewers to the network could see him. Erdogan said the coup attempt had been encouraged by the "parallel structure". This is his shorthand for followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric whom he has repeatedly accused of trying to foment an uprising in the military, media and judiciary. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States, once supported Erdogan, but became a nemesis. The pro-Gulen Alliance for Shared Values said it condemned any military intervention in domestic politics. The pro-coup faction said in an emailed statement from the Turkish military general staff's media office address that it was determinedly still fighting. Gunfire and explosions had rocked both Istanbul and Ankara through the night after soldiers took up positions in both cities and ordered state television to read out a statement declaring they had taken power. However, by dawn the noise of fighting had died down considerably. About 50 soldiers involved in the coup surrendered on one of the bridges across the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul after dawn today, abandoning their tanks with their hands raised in the air. Reuters witnesses saw government supporters attack the pro-coup soldiers who had surrendered. Earlier, around 30 pro-coup soldiers had surrendered their weapons after being surrounded by armed police in Istanbul's central Taksim square. They were taken away in police vans as a fighter jet repeatedly screeched overhead at low altitude, causing a boom that shook surrounding buildings and shattered windows. Lawmakers in hiding The coup began with warplanes and helicopters roaring over Ankara and troops moving in to seal off the bridges over the Bosphorus Strait that links Europe and Asia in Istanbul. Authorities had shut the strait to tanker traffic, shipping agent GAC said. In the early hours, lawmakers were hiding in shelters inside the parliament building, which was being fired on by tanks. Smoke rose up from nearby, Reuters witnesses said. An opposition MP told Reuters,the Parliament was hit three times and that people had been wounded. A senior Turkish official said later today attacks on the Parliament had "largely stopped". A Turkish military commander also said fighter jets had shot down a helicopter used by the coup plotters over Ankara. State-run Anadolu news agency said 17 police were killed at special forces headquarters there. Momentum turned against the coup plotters as the night wore on. Crowds defied orders to stay indoors, gathering at major squares in Istanbul and Ankara, waving flags and chanting. "We have a prime minister, we have a chief of command, we're not going to leave this country to degenerates," shouted one man, as groups of government supporters climbed onto a tank near Ataturk airport. US secretary of state John Kerry said he phoned the Turkish foreign minister and underlined "absolute support for Turkey's democratically elected, civilian government and democratic institutions". European Council president Donald Tusk called for a swift return to Turkey's constitutional order, saying tensions there could not be resolved by guns. Flights resume Flag carrier Turkish Airways resumed flights today, Erdogan said. Malaysia Airports, the operator of Sabiha Gokcen International airport, Istanbul's second airport, said it would continue to process flights in and out of Turkey. Soldiers took control of Turkish Radio and Television coperation (TRT) state television, which announced a countrywide curfew and martial law. An announcer read a statement on the orders of the pro-coup faction that accused the government of eroding the democratic and secular rule of law. Turkey would be run by a "peace council" that would ensure the safety of the population, the statement said. TRT went off the air shortly afterwards. It resumed broadcasting early morning today. Turkey is one of the main backers of opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in that country's civil war, host to 2.7 million Syrian refugees and launchpad last year for the biggest influx of migrants to Europe since World War II. Turkey has suffered numerous bombings and shootings this year, including an attack two weeks ago by Islamists at Ataturk airport that killed more than 40 people, as well as those staged by Kurdish militants. After serving as prime minister from 2003, Erdogan was elected President in 2014 with plans to alter the constitution to give the previously ceremonial presidency far greater executive powers. Turkey has enjoyed an economic boom during his time in office and has dramatically expanded its influence across the region. However, opponents say his rule has become increasingly authoritaries. (Agencies)

Turkey failed coup attempt: PM says 161 killed, 1,140 wounded, 2,839 soldiers arrested

As 90 people were reported killed and more than 1150 injured in Turkey during the attempted overnight coup by the military, the United Nations today said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following closely and with concern the fast-moving developments in Turkey and has appealed for calm, non-violence and restraint. 
 
In a statement issued in New York, the UN spokesman said, &quot;At this moment of uncertainty in the country, the Secretary-General appeals for calm, non-violence and restraint. 
 
Preservation of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and assembly, remain of vital importance.&quot;The Secretary-General underscores that military interference in the affairs of any state is unacceptable.&nbsp;It will be crucial to quickly and peacefully affirm civilian rule and constitutional order in accordance with principles of democracy,&quot; the spokesman added. 
 
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said, &quot;Just spoke to Turkish FM. I call for calm, restraint &amp; full respect for Turkey`s democratic institutions and constitution.&quot; 
 
United States has called on all parties in Turkey to support President Erdogan&#39;s government against a coup attempt. 
 
Avoid bloodshed: India, US&nbsp; 
 
Speaking jointly after talks in Moscow, US secretary of state John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said they hoped that stability would prevail in Turkey and bloodshed would be avoided. 
 
Meanwhile, India has called upon all sides to support democracy and mandate of the ballot, and avoid bloodshed. 
 
Turkey has a history of coups with governments ousted on three occasions in the last decades by full military coups. 
 
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the &quot;situation in the country is largely under control&quot;. He said a national curfew was announced, and other security forces had been called in to &quot;do what is necessary&quot;. He said 1563 soldiers detained in the coup attempt. 
 
(ANI)&nbsp;

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed for calm, non-violence and restraint. Military interference is unacceptable he said

As 90 people were reported killed and more than 1150 injured in Turkey during the attempted overnight coup by the military, the United Nations today said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following closely and with concern the fast-moving developments in Turkey and has appealed for calm, non-violence and restraint. In a statement issued in New York, the UN spokesman said, "At this moment of uncertainty in the country, the Secretary-General appeals for calm, non-violence and restraint. Preservation of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and assembly, remain of vital importance."The Secretary-General underscores that military interference in the affairs of any state is unacceptable. It will be crucial to quickly and peacefully affirm civilian rule and constitutional order in accordance with principles of democracy," the spokesman added. North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said, "Just spoke to Turkish FM. I call for calm, restraint & full respect for Turkey`s democratic institutions and constitution." United States has called on all parties in Turkey to support President Erdogan's government against a coup attempt. Avoid bloodshed: India, US Speaking jointly after talks in Moscow, US secretary of state John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said they hoped that stability would prevail in Turkey and bloodshed would be avoided. Meanwhile, India has called upon all sides to support democracy and mandate of the ballot, and avoid bloodshed. Turkey has a history of coups with governments ousted on three occasions in the last decades by full military coups. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the "situation in the country is largely under control". He said a national curfew was announced, and other security forces had been called in to "do what is necessary". He said 1563 soldiers detained in the coup attempt. (ANI)

International community reacts to attempted coup in Turkey, calls for calm

The Dow industrials ended at a record high on Friday and major indexes closed a third consecutive week of gains as upbeat economic data and the start of earnings season gave investors confidence. 
 
But equity futures fell after the closing bell following reports of a coup in Turkey. The military said it had seized power, but the Turkish Prime Minister later asserted the attempted coup was put down. 
 
&quot;US (Treasury) yields have fallen, the Turkish lira plummeted, gold is up, you could call it a textbook response to this kind of situation,&quot; said Brian Jacobsen, chief portfolio strategist at Wells Fargo Funds Management in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. 
 
&quot;How it plays out depends on what the effects are by the time markets open on Monday. It is unclear right now who is in control,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
A US exchange-traded fund that follows the Turkish stock market dropped sharply near the end of the session and was down 6 per cent after the bell. 
 
S&amp;P 500 e-mini futures hit a session low down 0.65 per cent after the reports, but pared the loss and were down 0.5 per cent. 
 
Jacobsen added: &quot;I don`t think this spills over to other countries. This isn&rsquo;t like the Arab Spring of 2011 where there was a cascade of anti-government protests in favour of democratic reforms. The issues Turkey is wrestling with seem unique to Turkey.&quot; 
 
&#39;US retail sales rose more than expected in June&#39;&nbsp; 
 
During the normal-hours session, consumer stocks led declines on the S&amp;P 500 while the financial sector posted a less than 0.2 per cent drop, even as Wells Fargo, whose profits fell in the second quarter, fell 2.5 per cent to $47.71 to rank as the largest weight on the S&amp;P. 
 
But expectations for S&amp;P earnings ticked up to a 4.7 per cent decline from a view of a 5-per cent drop earlier in the week, cementing hopes that an earnings contraction bottomed in the first quarter. 
 
Adding to investor confidence, US retail sales rose more than expected in June, bolstering views that economic growth picked up in the second quarter. 
 
&quot;When you go into earnings season with negative bias in the market it bodes well for stocks. Any positive surprises will force shorts to cover and gives an upbeat tone,&quot; said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial in Newark, New Jersey. 
 
Three major indexes close their third week of gains&nbsp; 
 
The Dow Jones industrial average, DJI, rose 10.14 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 18,516.55, the S&amp;P 500 lost 2.01 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 2,161.74 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 4.47 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 5,029.59. 
 
The Dow closed at a record high and joined the S&amp;P 500 in posting fresh intraday historic highs. The three major indexes closed their third week of gains, a period in which the S&amp;P advanced more than 6 percent. 
 
Market reaction on Friday to a Thursday attack in France that killed more than 80 people was limited to declines in travel and leisure company shares. 
 
Herbalife jumped 9.9 percent to $65.25 after the weight-loss products maker agreed to pay $200 million and change the way it does business to avoid being labelled a pyramid scheme by regulators. 
 
Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a 1.20-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.12-to-1 ratio favoured advancers. 
 
The S&amp;P 500 posted 26 new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 77 new highs and 18 new lows. 
About 6.1 billion shares changed hands in U.S. exchanges, below the 7.8 billion daily average over the past 20 sessions.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

'US (Treasury) yields have fallen, the Turkish lira plummeted, gold is up, you could call it a textbook response to this kind of situation'

The Dow industrials ended at a record high on Friday and major indexes closed a third consecutive week of gains as upbeat economic data and the start of earnings season gave investors confidence. But equity futures fell after the closing bell following reports of a coup in Turkey. The military said it had seized power, but the Turkish Prime Minister later asserted the attempted coup was put down. "US (Treasury) yields have fallen, the Turkish lira plummeted, gold is up, you could call it a textbook response to this kind of situation," said Brian Jacobsen, chief portfolio strategist at Wells Fargo Funds Management in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. "How it plays out depends on what the effects are by the time markets open on Monday. It is unclear right now who is in control," he said. A US exchange-traded fund that follows the Turkish stock market dropped sharply near the end of the session and was down 6 per cent after the bell. S&P 500 e-mini futures hit a session low down 0.65 per cent after the reports, but pared the loss and were down 0.5 per cent. Jacobsen added: "I don`t think this spills over to other countries. This isn’t like the Arab Spring of 2011 where there was a cascade of anti-government protests in favour of democratic reforms. The issues Turkey is wrestling with seem unique to Turkey." 'US retail sales rose more than expected in June' During the normal-hours session, consumer stocks led declines on the S&P 500 while the financial sector posted a less than 0.2 per cent drop, even as Wells Fargo, whose profits fell in the second quarter, fell 2.5 per cent to $47.71 to rank as the largest weight on the S&P. But expectations for S&P earnings ticked up to a 4.7 per cent decline from a view of a 5-per cent drop earlier in the week, cementing hopes that an earnings contraction bottomed in the first quarter. Adding to investor confidence, US retail sales rose more than expected in June, bolstering views that economic growth picked up in the second quarter. "When you go into earnings season with negative bias in the market it bodes well for stocks. Any positive surprises will force shorts to cover and gives an upbeat tone," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial in Newark, New Jersey. Three major indexes close their third week of gains The Dow Jones industrial average, DJI, rose 10.14 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 18,516.55, the S&P 500 lost 2.01 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 2,161.74 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 4.47 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 5,029.59. The Dow closed at a record high and joined the S&P 500 in posting fresh intraday historic highs. The three major indexes closed their third week of gains, a period in which the S&P advanced more than 6 percent. Market reaction on Friday to a Thursday attack in France that killed more than 80 people was limited to declines in travel and leisure company shares. Herbalife jumped 9.9 percent to $65.25 after the weight-loss products maker agreed to pay $200 million and change the way it does business to avoid being labelled a pyramid scheme by regulators. Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a 1.20-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.12-to-1 ratio favoured advancers. The S&P 500 posted 26 new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 77 new highs and 18 new lows. About 6.1 billion shares changed hands in U.S. exchanges, below the 7.8 billion daily average over the past 20 sessions. (Reuters)

Dow ends at record high but futures fall flat after attempted coup in Turkey

US&nbsp;secretary of state John Kerry said on Saturday&nbsp;the United States had not received any request to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, but was willing to assist in legitimate efforts to deal with plotters of Turkey&#39;s attempted coup.

The Turkish government said followers of Gulen, who has been living in self-imposed exile in the United States for years, were behind the attempted coup by a faction of the military on Friday.

Speaking during a trip to Luxembourg, Kerry said the US&nbsp;stands with the government of Turkey.

&quot;I talked directly with my foreign minister counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu last night at the time where things were still uncertain as to what was happening and expressed my confidence in him and the government and our readiness to be supportive,&quot; said Kerry.

Asked if the United States had received an extradition request, he said,&nbsp;&quot;No, we haven&#39;t received any request with respect to Mr Gulen. We fully anticipate that there will be questions raised about Mr Gulen, and obviously we invite the government of Turkey&nbsp;to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny and the United States will accept that and look at it and make judgments appropriately and I am confident there will be some discussion about that.&quot;

Gulen denied playing any role in the attempted coup, which he condemned in a written statement.

Kerry said the United States understood that in Turkey &quot;things are now calm and order is being restored.&quot;

He said all US&nbsp;embassy personnel had been accounted for and the United States was working to determine that all of US&nbsp;citizens were taken care of and protected.

Kerry reiterated US&nbsp;support for the elected government.

&quot;The United States, without hesitation, squarely and unequivocally stands for democratic leadership, for the respect for a democratic elected leader, and for a constitutional process,&quot; he said.

He said that, as things stood, Turkey&#39;s cooperation in counter- terrorism efforts, in NATO, on Syria and in countering Islamic State had not been impaired.

A successful overthrow of Erdogan would have marked one of the biggest shifts in the Middle East in years, transforming a major US&nbsp;ally while war rages on its border.

A failed coup could still destabilise a NATO member that lies between the European Union and the chaos of Syria, with Islamic State bombers targeting Turkish cities and the government also at war with Kurdish separatists. 
 
(Reuters)

It, however, is willing to assist in legitimate efforts to deal with Gulen who has been living in self-imposed exile in the US for years

US secretary of state John Kerry said on Saturday the United States had not received any request to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, but was willing to assist in legitimate efforts to deal with plotters of Turkey's attempted coup. The Turkish government said followers of Gulen, who has been living in self-imposed exile in the United States for years, were behind the attempted coup by a faction of the military on Friday. Speaking during a trip to Luxembourg, Kerry said the US stands with the government of Turkey. "I talked directly with my foreign minister counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu last night at the time where things were still uncertain as to what was happening and expressed my confidence in him and the government and our readiness to be supportive," said Kerry. Asked if the United States had received an extradition request, he said, "No, we haven't received any request with respect to Mr Gulen. We fully anticipate that there will be questions raised about Mr Gulen, and obviously we invite the government of Turkey to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny and the United States will accept that and look at it and make judgments appropriately and I am confident there will be some discussion about that." Gulen denied playing any role in the attempted coup, which he condemned in a written statement. Kerry said the United States understood that in Turkey "things are now calm and order is being restored." He said all US embassy personnel had been accounted for and the United States was working to determine that all of US citizens were taken care of and protected. Kerry reiterated US support for the elected government. "The United States, without hesitation, squarely and unequivocally stands for democratic leadership, for the respect for a democratic elected leader, and for a constitutional process," he said. He said that, as things stood, Turkey's cooperation in counter- terrorism efforts, in NATO, on Syria and in countering Islamic State had not been impaired. A successful overthrow of Erdogan would have marked one of the biggest shifts in the Middle East in years, transforming a major US ally while war rages on its border. A failed coup could still destabilise a NATO member that lies between the European Union and the chaos of Syria, with Islamic State bombers targeting Turkish cities and the government also at war with Kurdish separatists. (Reuters)

US has not received 'plotter' Fethullah Gulen's extradition request from Turkey, says John Kerry

Turkish authorities today imposed a security lockdown at the Incirlik air base in the southern province of Adana used by US and other coalition forces in the fight against jihadists in Syria, the US consulate said. 
 
&quot;Local authorities are denying movements on to and off of Incirlik Air Base. The power there has also been cut,&quot; the US consulate in Adana said in a message after an coup attempt aimed at toppling the government was thwarted by the authorities. 
 
&quot;Please avoid the air base until normal operations have been restored,&quot; it added, without giving further details. 
 
There was no indication for the reason of the lockdown by the Turkish authorities. But it came as security forces arrested thousands of Turkish soldiers across the country for involvement in the coup. 
 
After months of negotiations, Turkey last year agreed to allow the United States to use Incirlik to carry out lethal raids against jihadists in Syria and it has since become a key hub. 
 
(AFP)

No reason was given for the lockdown but it came as security forces arrested thousands of soldiers for their involvement in the coup

Turkish authorities today imposed a security lockdown at the Incirlik air base in the southern province of Adana used by US and other coalition forces in the fight against jihadists in Syria, the US consulate said. "Local authorities are denying movements on to and off of Incirlik Air Base. The power there has also been cut," the US consulate in Adana said in a message after an coup attempt aimed at toppling the government was thwarted by the authorities. "Please avoid the air base until normal operations have been restored," it added, without giving further details. There was no indication for the reason of the lockdown by the Turkish authorities. But it came as security forces arrested thousands of Turkish soldiers across the country for involvement in the coup. After months of negotiations, Turkey last year agreed to allow the United States to use Incirlik to carry out lethal raids against jihadists in Syria and it has since become a key hub. (AFP)

Turkey authorities impose lockdown at Incirlik air base: US consulate

US President Barack Obama today convened a situation room meeting with his top national security advisers to discuss the aftermath of the failed coup in Turkey, the White House said today. 
 
&quot;The President will convene a meeting with his national security and broader foreign policy team to update him on the situation in Turkey,&quot; the White House said in a brief update of Obama&#39;s daily schedule. 
 
The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has survived the coup but the situation remains tense as the violence has killed over 250 people (according to PTI). The Turkish government, however, has put the toll at 161.&nbsp; 
 
During the coup, Obama offered support for Turkey&#39;s &quot;democratically elected government&quot; and urged all sides to &quot;avoid any violence or bloodshed.&quot; 
 
But there were rising concerns of a government crackdown on Erdogan&#39;s opponents. 
 
Even before the violent coup attempt, Obama had expressed concern over Erdogan&#39;s handling of the media and the rule of law. 
 
(PTI)

Obama offered support for Turkey's 'democratically elected government' and urged all sides to 'avoid any violence or bloodshed'

US President Barack Obama today convened a situation room meeting with his top national security advisers to discuss the aftermath of the failed coup in Turkey, the White House said today. "The President will convene a meeting with his national security and broader foreign policy team to update him on the situation in Turkey," the White House said in a brief update of Obama's daily schedule. The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has survived the coup but the situation remains tense as the violence has killed over 250 people (according to PTI). The Turkish government, however, has put the toll at 161. During the coup, Obama offered support for Turkey's "democratically elected government" and urged all sides to "avoid any violence or bloodshed." But there were rising concerns of a government crackdown on Erdogan's opponents. Even before the violent coup attempt, Obama had expressed concern over Erdogan's handling of the media and the rule of law. (PTI)

US President Obama convenes national security meeting amid Turkey unrest

One of the arrested leaders of the coup gave the order for the rebellious troops to surrender at the request of the security forces, who currently have the leader in their hands. 
 
Around 50 soldiers involved in the&nbsp;attempted military coup surrendered on one of the bridges across the Bosphorus in Istanbul abandoning their tanks with their hands raised in the air, live footage on CNN Turk showed. 
 
A&nbsp;witness earlier saw tens of other pro-coup soldiers surrendering to armed police after being surrounded in Istanbul&#39;s central Taksim square.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said more than 130 people have been arrested after he flew back to Istanbul.

A deputy chief procurator in Ankara said the prosecuting authority has issued warrants of arrest to those who are involved in the coup. Some officials of the Turkish supreme court of appeals are among those in the list. 
 
(Reuters)

Live footage shows soldiers abandoning tanks with their hands raised in surrender on one of the bridges across the Bosphorus in Istanbul

One of the arrested leaders of the coup gave the order for the rebellious troops to surrender at the request of the security forces, who currently have the leader in their hands. Around 50 soldiers involved in the attempted military coup surrendered on one of the bridges across the Bosphorus in Istanbul abandoning their tanks with their hands raised in the air, live footage on CNN Turk showed. A witness earlier saw tens of other pro-coup soldiers surrendering to armed police after being surrounded in Istanbul's central Taksim square. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said more than 130 people have been arrested after he flew back to Istanbul. A deputy chief procurator in Ankara said the prosecuting authority has issued warrants of arrest to those who are involved in the coup. Some officials of the Turkish supreme court of appeals are among those in the list. (Reuters)

A leader of the failed Turkish coup arrested

As many as 173 Indians have been reported to be safe after attempted overnight coup in Turkey took 161 lives and left over a thousand people injured.&nbsp; 
 
Turkish army faction attempted a coup on Friday night to bring down the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.&nbsp; 
 
While Turkey recovers from the coup bid, a source told WION today a group of 25 Indians, including family members, associated with state-broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television corporation (TRT), were safe. They are in touch with government officials from India, the source added.&nbsp; 
 
&#39;Games are on&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Indian Sports Minister Vijay Goel asserted today all 148 Indian athletes participating in the World School Games at Trabzon in Turkey were also safe. 
 
&quot;I have contacted the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and India&#39;s ambassador to Turkey and they have confirmed that the 149 athletes participating in the world games in Trabzon area of Turkey are safe,&quot; he said here. 
 
Goel also said that he has ascertained from the organisers and the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), that all children are safe and the games are on, adding the Sports Authority of India has set up a control room with the help of SGFI. 
 
The government, especially the MEA, are taking all steps to ensure the safety of the participants, Goel said. 
 
The minister, who on a visit to the Sports Authority of India here to assess the ground situation and work towards improving the facilities said that he has contacted the families of the participants and assured them about the safety of their wards. 
 
India is represented by 148 athletes and 38 officials at the Games scheduled to end on July 18.&nbsp; 
 
India&rsquo;s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, in a series of posts on microblogging site Twitter, also urged all Indians in Turkey to stay indoors.&nbsp; 
 
 
Meanwhile, India&rsquo;s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has sent out a series of Tweets urging all Indians in Turkey to stay indoors.&nbsp;
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Indian nationals in Turkey : Pl stay indoors and in touch with <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianEmbassyTR">@IndianEmbassyTR</a> 
Ankara: +905303142203 Istanbul: +905305671095<a href="https://twitter.com/mjakbar">@mjakbar</a>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/754155625873969152">July 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
She has also asked Indians to avoid traveling to Turkey until the situation stabilises.&nbsp;

<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Indian nationals should not travel to Turkey until situation is normal there. <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianEmbassyTR">@IndianEmbassyTR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mjakbar">@mjakbar</a>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/754153001095278592">July 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
 
 
 
(WION)

External affairs minister reached out to Indians in Turkey and asked them to stay indoors following a coup attempt

As many as 173 Indians have been reported to be safe after attempted overnight coup in Turkey took 161 lives and left over a thousand people injured. Turkish army faction attempted a coup on Friday night to bring down the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. While Turkey recovers from the coup bid, a source told WION today a group of 25 Indians, including family members, associated with state-broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television corporation (TRT), were safe. They are in touch with government officials from India, the source added. 'Games are on' Indian Sports Minister Vijay Goel asserted today all 148 Indian athletes participating in the World School Games at Trabzon in Turkey were also safe. "I have contacted the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and India's ambassador to Turkey and they have confirmed that the 149 athletes participating in the world games in Trabzon area of Turkey are safe," he said here. Goel also said that he has ascertained from the organisers and the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), that all children are safe and the games are on, adding the Sports Authority of India has set up a control room with the help of SGFI. The government, especially the MEA, are taking all steps to ensure the safety of the participants, Goel said. The minister, who on a visit to the Sports Authority of India here to assess the ground situation and work towards improving the facilities said that he has contacted the families of the participants and assured them about the safety of their wards. India is represented by 148 athletes and 38 officials at the Games scheduled to end on July 18. India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, in a series of posts on microblogging site Twitter, also urged all Indians in Turkey to stay indoors. Meanwhile, India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has sent out a series of Tweets urging all Indians in Turkey to stay indoors. Indian nationals in Turkey : Pl stay indoors and in touch with @IndianEmbassyTR Ankara: +905303142203 Istanbul: +905305671095@mjakbar — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 16, 2016 She has also asked Indians to avoid traveling to Turkey until the situation stabilises. Indian nationals should not travel to Turkey until situation is normal there. @IndianEmbassyTR @mjakbar — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 16, 2016 (WION)

Turkey coup bid: 173 Indians reported safe

US secretary of state John Kerry said today that Washington had had no idea that a coup attempt was brewing in NATO ally Turkey before Friday&#39;s bloody events. 
 
But he added that the failed &#39;putsch&#39; had apparently been incompetently executed, and restated Washington&#39;s support for President Tayyip Erdogan&#39;s elected government. 
 
&quot;If you&#39;re planning a coup you don&#39;t exactly advertise it to your partners in NATO,&quot; Kerry told reporters who asked how US intelligence could have been surprised by events. 
 
&quot;It surprised everybody, including the people in Turkey,&quot; the top US diplomat added, speaking in Luxembourg during a diplomatic tour of European capitals.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I must say, it does not appear to have been a very brilliantly planned or executed event, but let&#39;s reserve all judgment until the facts are in,&quot; he asserted.&nbsp; 
 
The United States and Turkey are close military allies within NATO and US war planes targeting the Islamic State group fly out of the major Incirlik air base. 
 
(AFP)

If you're planning coup, you don't advertise it to your partners in NATO: John Kerry said when asked how US intelligence missed this

US secretary of state John Kerry said today that Washington had had no idea that a coup attempt was brewing in NATO ally Turkey before Friday's bloody events. But he added that the failed 'putsch' had apparently been incompetently executed, and restated Washington's support for President Tayyip Erdogan's elected government. "If you're planning a coup you don't exactly advertise it to your partners in NATO," Kerry told reporters who asked how US intelligence could have been surprised by events. "It surprised everybody, including the people in Turkey," the top US diplomat added, speaking in Luxembourg during a diplomatic tour of European capitals. "I must say, it does not appear to have been a very brilliantly planned or executed event, but let's reserve all judgment until the facts are in," he asserted. The United States and Turkey are close military allies within NATO and US war planes targeting the Islamic State group fly out of the major Incirlik air base. (AFP)

No one saw Turkey coup bid coming: US envoy

US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen today denied accusations he played a role in the attempted coup in Turkey and said he condemned &quot;in the strongest terms&quot; the attempt to topple the government. 
 
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and the government have said that Gulen&#39;s followers in the military were responsible for the attempted take-over on Friday night and today morning. 
 
The government accuses Gulen of trying to create a &quot;parallel structure&quot; in the police, judiciary, media and armed forces, aimed at taking over the state, a charge the cleric denies. 
 
&quot;I condemn, in the strongest terms, the attempted military coup in Turkey,&quot; Gulen said in a statement. 
 
&quot;As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt. I categorically deny such accusations.&quot; 
 
The cleric has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States for years. 
 
US invites Turkey&nbsp; 
 
Secretary of state John Kerry said today that the United States will assist Turkey in the investigation of a failed coup and invited Ankara to share any evidence it has against Fethullah Gulen. 
 
Speaking in Luxembourg, Kerry said Washington had not yet received a formal extradition bid for the expatriate cleric, but added: &quot;We fully anticipate that there will be questions raised about Mr Gulen.&quot; 
 
Kerry who spoke late Friday to his Turkish opposite number Mevlut Cavusoglu by telephone, said: &quot;We haven&#39;t received any request with respect to Mr Gulen. 
 
&quot;And obviously we invited the government of Turkey as we always do to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny and the United States will accept that and look at it and make judgments about it appropriately. 
 
And, standing alongside Luxembourg&#39;s foreign minister Jean Asselborn outside the country&#39;s foreign ministry, he added: &quot;I&#39;m confident that there will be some discussion about that.&quot; 
 
(Agencies)

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and the government said that Gulen's followers in the military were responsible for the attempted take-over

US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen today denied accusations he played a role in the attempted coup in Turkey and said he condemned "in the strongest terms" the attempt to topple the government. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and the government have said that Gulen's followers in the military were responsible for the attempted take-over on Friday night and today morning. The government accuses Gulen of trying to create a "parallel structure" in the police, judiciary, media and armed forces, aimed at taking over the state, a charge the cleric denies. "I condemn, in the strongest terms, the attempted military coup in Turkey," Gulen said in a statement. "As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt. I categorically deny such accusations." The cleric has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States for years. US invites Turkey Secretary of state John Kerry said today that the United States will assist Turkey in the investigation of a failed coup and invited Ankara to share any evidence it has against Fethullah Gulen. Speaking in Luxembourg, Kerry said Washington had not yet received a formal extradition bid for the expatriate cleric, but added: "We fully anticipate that there will be questions raised about Mr Gulen." Kerry who spoke late Friday to his Turkish opposite number Mevlut Cavusoglu by telephone, said: "We haven't received any request with respect to Mr Gulen. "And obviously we invited the government of Turkey as we always do to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny and the United States will accept that and look at it and make judgments about it appropriately. And, standing alongside Luxembourg's foreign minister Jean Asselborn outside the country's foreign ministry, he added: "I'm confident that there will be some discussion about that." (Agencies)

US-based cleric Gulen denies Turkey coup charges

Turkey will draw a line under disparaging comments by Britain&#39;s new foreign secretary Boris Johnson about President Tayyip Erdogan and his nation, a senior official said today, but warned relations would be damaged if he repeated such insults. 
 
Johnson, the former London mayor who was appointed foreign secretary late on Wednesday by new Prime Minister Theresa May, won a &quot;President Erdogan Offensive Poetry competition&quot; run by Britain&#39;s Spectator magazine earlier this year. 
 
He was the most prominent figure in the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, which played on voters&#39; fears about immigration. This included a warning of dire consequences if Turkey, a largely Muslim nation of 79 million, joined the EU. The campaign culminated in a vote for &#39;Brexit&#39; on June 23. 
 
&quot;His negative comments on Erdogan and Turkey are unacceptable ... However we&#39;re sure of one thing, that British-Turkish relations are more important than that and can&#39;t be hostage to these statements,&quot; the Turkish official said. 
 
&quot;With his new responsibilities, we are expecting a more positive attitude from Mr. Johnson,&quot; said the official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. 
 
Turkish media talks about Johnson&#39;s &#39;Turkish roots&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Turkey&#39;s leaders have repeatedly warned about rising xenophobia and anti-immigrant views in Europe. They complained that the British referendum campaign was marred by anti-Turkish sentiment fuelled by mainstream politicians. 
 
The pro-government Daily Sabah newspaper described Johnson as known for &quot;his anti-Turkey and eurosceptic stance as the mayor of London&quot; and said his appointment &quot;raises questions about the future of Britain&#39;s international relations&quot;. 
 
Other mainstream newspapers talked about Johnson&#39;s Turkish roots but made no mention of his poem about Erdogan. Johnson&#39;s great-grandfather was an opposition figure in the late Ottoman period, who was lynched during Turkey&#39;s War of Independence in the early 1920s. 
 
Speaking ahead of Johnson&#39;s appointment, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also signalled his government would be ready to work with the former London mayor. 
 
&quot;What would I say to him? Well, may God help him and reform him and I hope that he won&#39;t make any more mistakes and try to make it up with the Turks,&quot; Yildirim said in an interview with the BBC recorded at the weekend and broadcast today.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;But the campaign is over, the referendum was held and there&#39;s no reason to discuss this anymore,&quot; he said. &nbsp; 
 
Turkey began its EU accession talks in 2005 after decades of knocking on the door but progress has been slow due to disagreements over Ankara&#39;s human rights record, Cyprus and other issues. It is not seen joining the bloc for many years. 
 
Despite the referendum campaign rhetoric, Britain was for a long time one of the main champions of Turkey&#39;s EU bid. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

"With his new responsibilities, we are expecting a more positive attitude from Mr Johnson," said the official.

Turkey will draw a line under disparaging comments by Britain's new foreign secretary Boris Johnson about President Tayyip Erdogan and his nation, a senior official said today, but warned relations would be damaged if he repeated such insults. Johnson, the former London mayor who was appointed foreign secretary late on Wednesday by new Prime Minister Theresa May, won a "President Erdogan Offensive Poetry competition" run by Britain's Spectator magazine earlier this year. He was the most prominent figure in the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, which played on voters' fears about immigration. This included a warning of dire consequences if Turkey, a largely Muslim nation of 79 million, joined the EU. The campaign culminated in a vote for 'Brexit' on June 23. "His negative comments on Erdogan and Turkey are unacceptable ... However we're sure of one thing, that British-Turkish relations are more important than that and can't be hostage to these statements," the Turkish official said. "With his new responsibilities, we are expecting a more positive attitude from Mr. Johnson," said the official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. Turkish media talks about Johnson's 'Turkish roots' Turkey's leaders have repeatedly warned about rising xenophobia and anti-immigrant views in Europe. They complained that the British referendum campaign was marred by anti-Turkish sentiment fuelled by mainstream politicians. The pro-government Daily Sabah newspaper described Johnson as known for "his anti-Turkey and eurosceptic stance as the mayor of London" and said his appointment "raises questions about the future of Britain's international relations". Other mainstream newspapers talked about Johnson's Turkish roots but made no mention of his poem about Erdogan. Johnson's great-grandfather was an opposition figure in the late Ottoman period, who was lynched during Turkey's War of Independence in the early 1920s. Speaking ahead of Johnson's appointment, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also signalled his government would be ready to work with the former London mayor. "What would I say to him? Well, may God help him and reform him and I hope that he won't make any more mistakes and try to make it up with the Turks," Yildirim said in an interview with the BBC recorded at the weekend and broadcast today. "But the campaign is over, the referendum was held and there's no reason to discuss this anymore," he said. Turkey began its EU accession talks in 2005 after decades of knocking on the door but progress has been slow due to disagreements over Ankara's human rights record, Cyprus and other issues. It is not seen joining the bloc for many years. Despite the referendum campaign rhetoric, Britain was for a long time one of the main champions of Turkey's EU bid. (Reuters)

UK-Turkey ties can't be hostage to Boris Johnson's quips: Turkish official

Turkey aims to develop good relations with Syria and Iraq, and both countries need to be stable for counter-terrorism efforts to succeed, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said today.&nbsp; 
 
Turkey has long been one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s staunchest opponents, arguing that only his departure could stabilise Syria. The stance set it at odds with Assad&#39;s ally Russia and distanced it from a US-led coalition more focused on fighting Islamic State. 
 
Since taking office in May, Yildirim has repeatedly said that Turkey needs to &quot;increase its friends and decrease its enemies&quot; -- an apparent tacit admission that past policies have left Ankara sidelined. 
 
&quot;It is our greatest and irrevocable goal: Developing good relations with Syria and Iraq, and all our neighbours that surround the Mediterranean and the Black Sea,&quot; Yildirim said, in comments broadcast live on television. 
 
&quot;We normalised relations with Russia and Israel. I&#39;m sure we will normalise relations with Syria as well. For the fight against terrorism to succeed stability needs to return to Syria and Iraq,&quot; he said. 
 
Turkey last month announced the restoration of diplomatic ties with Israel after a six-year rupture and expressed regret to Russia over the downing of a warplane, seeking to mend strained alliances. Officials have insisted those moves do not mark a broader foreign policy shift for Ankara. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

?Since taking office in May, Yildirim has repeatedly said that Turkey needs to "increase its friends and decrease its enemies"

Turkey aims to develop good relations with Syria and Iraq, and both countries need to be stable for counter-terrorism efforts to succeed, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said today. Turkey has long been one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's staunchest opponents, arguing that only his departure could stabilise Syria. The stance set it at odds with Assad's ally Russia and distanced it from a US-led coalition more focused on fighting Islamic State. Since taking office in May, Yildirim has repeatedly said that Turkey needs to "increase its friends and decrease its enemies" -- an apparent tacit admission that past policies have left Ankara sidelined. "It is our greatest and irrevocable goal: Developing good relations with Syria and Iraq, and all our neighbours that surround the Mediterranean and the Black Sea," Yildirim said, in comments broadcast live on television. "We normalised relations with Russia and Israel. I'm sure we will normalise relations with Syria as well. For the fight against terrorism to succeed stability needs to return to Syria and Iraq," he said. Turkey last month announced the restoration of diplomatic ties with Israel after a six-year rupture and expressed regret to Russia over the downing of a warplane, seeking to mend strained alliances. Officials have insisted those moves do not mark a broader foreign policy shift for Ankara. (AFP)

Syria, Iraq need to be stable for fight against terror to succeed: Turkish PM

A youth shot dead three Turkish police officers and wounded three others at a bus station in the city of Sanliurfa in southeast Turkey before he was also shot dead, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported today. 
 
Anadolu cited the Sanliurfa governor as saying the shooting was not terrorism-related. It was not clear when it occurred. 
 
The attacker was a 17-year-old with psychological problems who was travelling with his family and who had taken his father&#39;s gun, Sanliurfa governor Gungor Azim Tuna told reporters. 
 
The youth opened fire on three police officers as they asked those at the bus station for their identity papers and then fled before opening fire on another group of police. All three officers later died in hospital. 
 
(Reuters)

A 17-year-old boy opened fired at the cops when they asked commuters at a bus station for their identity papers

A youth shot dead three Turkish police officers and wounded three others at a bus station in the city of Sanliurfa in southeast Turkey before he was also shot dead, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported today. Anadolu cited the Sanliurfa governor as saying the shooting was not terrorism-related. It was not clear when it occurred. The attacker was a 17-year-old with psychological problems who was travelling with his family and who had taken his father's gun, Sanliurfa governor Gungor Azim Tuna told reporters. The youth opened fire on three police officers as they asked those at the bus station for their identity papers and then fled before opening fire on another group of police. All three officers later died in hospital. (Reuters)

3 police officers shot dead in south-east Turkey

Air strikes by US-led coalition warplanes and artillery fire from Turkey killed eight Islamic State fighters in northern Syria, state-run Anadolu Agency cited the Turkish military as saying today. 
 
Ten Islamic State targets were hit in the strikes, which also destroyed one building used by the militants as a base, the agency said. 
 
It said Turkish army howitzers fired on the militants as they were preparing to open fire on Turkey on Saturday from the areas of Baragitah, Tel Ahmar and Shabaniye in northern Syria. 
 
Turkey and the coalition have carried out regular strikes against Islamic State in the area in recent months after rocket attacks by the militants on the Turkish border town of Kilis. 
 
Kilis, just across the frontier from an Islamic State-controlled region of Syria, has been hit by rockets more than 70 times this year. More than 20 people have been killed. 
 
(Reuters)

Ten IS targets were hit in the strikes, which also destroyed a building used by the militants as a base, Anadolu Agency reported

Air strikes by US-led coalition warplanes and artillery fire from Turkey killed eight Islamic State fighters in northern Syria, state-run Anadolu Agency cited the Turkish military as saying today. Ten Islamic State targets were hit in the strikes, which also destroyed one building used by the militants as a base, the agency said. It said Turkish army howitzers fired on the militants as they were preparing to open fire on Turkey on Saturday from the areas of Baragitah, Tel Ahmar and Shabaniye in northern Syria. Turkey and the coalition have carried out regular strikes against Islamic State in the area in recent months after rocket attacks by the militants on the Turkish border town of Kilis. Kilis, just across the frontier from an Islamic State-controlled region of Syria, has been hit by rockets more than 70 times this year. More than 20 people have been killed. (Reuters)

US-led coalition air strikes, Turkish artillery fire kill 8 Islamic State militants

The Kremlin said today it believed that the recent attack on Istanbul airport could be a result of Turkish and European security services ignoring Moscow&#39;s signals about suspected &quot;terrorists&quot; hiding in Turkey and Europe. 
 
&quot;Over the past many years, the Russian side has informed our Turkish and European colleagues that persons suspected of being linked to terrorism, find shelter both in Turkey and in a number of other European countries,&quot; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with journalists. 
 
&quot;In most cases such signals from the Russian side have not been given proper attention or any reaction by our colleagues. To our regret, these (Istanbul attacks) can be a consequence of such disregard,&quot; he added.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

In most cases such signals from the Russian side have not been given proper attention or any reaction by our colleagues: Kremlin spokesman

The Kremlin said today it believed that the recent attack on Istanbul airport could be a result of Turkish and European security services ignoring Moscow's signals about suspected "terrorists" hiding in Turkey and Europe. "Over the past many years, the Russian side has informed our Turkish and European colleagues that persons suspected of being linked to terrorism, find shelter both in Turkey and in a number of other European countries," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with journalists. "In most cases such signals from the Russian side have not been given proper attention or any reaction by our colleagues. To our regret, these (Istanbul attacks) can be a consequence of such disregard," he added. (Reuters)

'Istanbul attack could be result of Turkey, EU ignoring Moscow's signals'

Seven people were killed and eight injured when a helicopter carrying Turkish military personnel, their wives and children crashed in the Black Sea region of northeast Turkey on Tuesday, the Turkish armed forces said. 
 
The cause of the Sikorsky helicopter&#39;s crash, as it returned to the town of Giresun from a visit to military outposts in the area, could not immediately be determined, a statement on the military&#39;s website said. 
 
However, the Prime Minister and one of his deputies said poor weather was responsible, rather than a militant attack. The Turkish armed forces are involved in a conflict with Kurdish militants focussed in the country&#39;s southeast. 
 
Those on board, who according to media reports included a brigadier general, had been visiting military personnel and their families at gendarmerie outposts to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan. 
 
&quot;Unfortunately, seven people among our comrades in arms, their wives and children lost their lives and the eight injured people were immediately sent to hospitals in the region,&quot; the army said, without specifying who had died. 
 
Rescue teams and ambulances rushed to the site of the crash, but local residents arrived first. Video broadcast by CNN Turk showed locals helping the wounded down a hillside and taking them in their vehicles to nearby hospitals. 
 
The helicopter crashed at around 5:15 pm (1415 GMT) near Tohumluk village in the Alucra district of Giresun province, the military said. 
 
As well as a brigadier general, on board were two colonels and other officers, along with four of their wives and three children, the private news agency Dogan reported. 
 
Earlier, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the crash, which occurred in the highlands of Giresun province, appeared to be an accident caused by bad weather. 
 
&quot;It is understood to be an accident resulting purely from poor weather conditions,&quot; Yildirim told reporters in televised comments. 
 
Deputy prime minister Nurettin Canikli, who travelled to the area of the crash, later echoed Yildirim&#39;s words in comments to reporters and ruled out the possibility that an attack could have been responsible. 
 
In May, the army said a military helicopter that had crashed a week earlier may have been brought down by Kurdish militants with a ground-to-air missile. 
 
(Reuters)

The accident appears to be caused purely by bad weather, though has not been immediately determined

Seven people were killed and eight injured when a helicopter carrying Turkish military personnel, their wives and children crashed in the Black Sea region of northeast Turkey on Tuesday, the Turkish armed forces said. The cause of the Sikorsky helicopter's crash, as it returned to the town of Giresun from a visit to military outposts in the area, could not immediately be determined, a statement on the military's website said. However, the Prime Minister and one of his deputies said poor weather was responsible, rather than a militant attack. The Turkish armed forces are involved in a conflict with Kurdish militants focussed in the country's southeast. Those on board, who according to media reports included a brigadier general, had been visiting military personnel and their families at gendarmerie outposts to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan. "Unfortunately, seven people among our comrades in arms, their wives and children lost their lives and the eight injured people were immediately sent to hospitals in the region," the army said, without specifying who had died. Rescue teams and ambulances rushed to the site of the crash, but local residents arrived first. Video broadcast by CNN Turk showed locals helping the wounded down a hillside and taking them in their vehicles to nearby hospitals. The helicopter crashed at around 5:15 pm (1415 GMT) near Tohumluk village in the Alucra district of Giresun province, the military said. As well as a brigadier general, on board were two colonels and other officers, along with four of their wives and three children, the private news agency Dogan reported. Earlier, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the crash, which occurred in the highlands of Giresun province, appeared to be an accident caused by bad weather. "It is understood to be an accident resulting purely from poor weather conditions," Yildirim told reporters in televised comments. Deputy prime minister Nurettin Canikli, who travelled to the area of the crash, later echoed Yildirim's words in comments to reporters and ruled out the possibility that an attack could have been responsible. In May, the army said a military helicopter that had crashed a week earlier may have been brought down by Kurdish militants with a ground-to-air missile. (Reuters)

7 killed, 8 injured in military helicopter crash in northern Turkey

President Tayyip Erdogan outlined plans on Tuesday to grant citizenship to some of the near 3 million migrants who have fled war in neighbouring Syria, particularly those with qualifications of use to Turkey. 
 
&quot;Western nations open their doors to such skilled individuals and they have no choice but to go (to the West) when we do not open the gates (of citizenship) ourselves. We would like to benefit from their knowledge,&quot; Erdogan told reporters after praying at an Istanbul mosque. 
 
Turkey struck a deal with the European Union in March to stem the flow of migrants into Europe and it has sharply cut the number of refugees and migrants reaching Greece. However, the deal has been hampered by discord over Turkish counter-terrorism law, which the EU wants brought in line with its codes. 
 
Ankara has already said it would make it easier for migrants from Syria and other nations to get work permits and Erdogan said they could also be made Turkish citizens. 
 
&quot;There are highly qualified individuals among Syrian refugees in Turkey. (Granting them citizenship) would both serve Turkey&#39;s interests and improve their living standards,&quot; Erdogan said at the start of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday. 
 
Some 260,000 of the Syrians in Turkey live in state-run camps, while the remainder live in accommodation in cities across the country, which has a population of 79 million. 
 
&quot;We do not think it right to host such people in tent camps, container towns or in such basic places,&quot; Erdogan said. 
 
Erdogan first raised the idea of giving Syrian migrants the possibility of Turkish citizenship at the weekend, saying that the interior ministry was taking steps on the issue. 
 
His comments come after the Turkish government took steps last week to improve relations with Israel and Russia, marking a shift in a foreign policy which had left Turkey more isolated than influential. 
 
(Reuters)

Ankara has already said it would make it easier for migrants from Syria and other nations to get work permits

President Tayyip Erdogan outlined plans on Tuesday to grant citizenship to some of the near 3 million migrants who have fled war in neighbouring Syria, particularly those with qualifications of use to Turkey. "Western nations open their doors to such skilled individuals and they have no choice but to go (to the West) when we do not open the gates (of citizenship) ourselves. We would like to benefit from their knowledge," Erdogan told reporters after praying at an Istanbul mosque. Turkey struck a deal with the European Union in March to stem the flow of migrants into Europe and it has sharply cut the number of refugees and migrants reaching Greece. However, the deal has been hampered by discord over Turkish counter-terrorism law, which the EU wants brought in line with its codes. Ankara has already said it would make it easier for migrants from Syria and other nations to get work permits and Erdogan said they could also be made Turkish citizens. "There are highly qualified individuals among Syrian refugees in Turkey. (Granting them citizenship) would both serve Turkey's interests and improve their living standards," Erdogan said at the start of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday. Some 260,000 of the Syrians in Turkey live in state-run camps, while the remainder live in accommodation in cities across the country, which has a population of 79 million. "We do not think it right to host such people in tent camps, container towns or in such basic places," Erdogan said. Erdogan first raised the idea of giving Syrian migrants the possibility of Turkish citizenship at the weekend, saying that the interior ministry was taking steps on the issue. His comments come after the Turkish government took steps last week to improve relations with Israel and Russia, marking a shift in a foreign policy which had left Turkey more isolated than influential. (Reuters)

Turkey's Erdogan moots plan to grant citizenship to Syrians

At least five people were killed after a Turkish military helicopter crashed Tuesday in the northeastern province of Giresun, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said. 
 
&quot;There have been deaths and injuries,&quot; Yildirim told journalists in the western province in Izmir, adding that 15 people had been onboard. 
 
&quot;Five deaths and perhaps more.&quot; 
 
CNN-Turk earlier reported that the Sikorsky S-70 crashed in bad weather at around 1430 GMT in Alucra, a mountainous area of Giresun, which lies on the Black Sea. 
 
A brigadier general was among the passengers, the channel said, adding that the cause of the crash was not immediately known. 
 
It added that the passengers included several other officers as well as civilians and three children - relatives of soldiers. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Sikorsky S-70 crashed in bad weather at around 1430 GMT in Alucra, a mountainous area of Giresun, which lies on the Black Sea

At least five people were killed after a Turkish military helicopter crashed Tuesday in the northeastern province of Giresun, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said. "There have been deaths and injuries," Yildirim told journalists in the western province in Izmir, adding that 15 people had been onboard. "Five deaths and perhaps more." CNN-Turk earlier reported that the Sikorsky S-70 crashed in bad weather at around 1430 GMT in Alucra, a mountainous area of Giresun, which lies on the Black Sea. A brigadier general was among the passengers, the channel said, adding that the cause of the crash was not immediately known. It added that the passengers included several other officers as well as civilians and three children - relatives of soldiers. (AFP)

Military helicopter crashes in northeast Turkey with 15 onboard: media

Turkey has proposed cooperating with Moscow to combat Islamic State in Syria, suggesting it could open its Incirlik Air Base to Russia, comments that highlighted a revival in ties strained by Turkey&#39;s shooting down of a Russian warplane last year. 
 
Moscow pledged to rebuild relations after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan last week expressed regret over the shooting down of the aircraft, with the loss of the pilot, near the Syrian frontier. Moscow had broken off virtually all economic ties and banned tourists from visiting Turkish resorts. 
 
&quot;We will cooperate with everyone who fights Daesh. We have been doing this for quite a while, and we opened Incirlik Air Base for those who want to join the active fight against Daesh,&quot; Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview on state broadcaster TRT Haber on Sunday, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. 
 
&quot;Why not cooperate with Russia as well on these terms? Daesh is our common enemy, and we need to fight this enemy.&quot; 
 
While both Turkey and Russia recognise the threat of Islamic State, they are on opposing sides in the Syrian conflict, raising questions about the viability of Russian use of Incirlik. 
 
Turkey has been one of the most steadfast opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is backed by Russia and Iran. 
 
Turkey&#39;s NATO partners may also be wary of Russian use of the base, which is located five miles north of the Turkish city of Adana near the Syrian border. 
 
Incirlik hosts aircraft of the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Qatar involved in the US-led air campaign against Islamic State. 
 
(Reuters)

While both Turkey and Russia recognise the threat of Islamic State, they are on opposite sides of the Syrian conflict

Turkey has proposed cooperating with Moscow to combat Islamic State in Syria, suggesting it could open its Incirlik Air Base to Russia, comments that highlighted a revival in ties strained by Turkey's shooting down of a Russian warplane last year. Moscow pledged to rebuild relations after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan last week expressed regret over the shooting down of the aircraft, with the loss of the pilot, near the Syrian frontier. Moscow had broken off virtually all economic ties and banned tourists from visiting Turkish resorts. "We will cooperate with everyone who fights Daesh. We have been doing this for quite a while, and we opened Incirlik Air Base for those who want to join the active fight against Daesh," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview on state broadcaster TRT Haber on Sunday, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. "Why not cooperate with Russia as well on these terms? Daesh is our common enemy, and we need to fight this enemy." While both Turkey and Russia recognise the threat of Islamic State, they are on opposing sides in the Syrian conflict, raising questions about the viability of Russian use of Incirlik. Turkey has been one of the most steadfast opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is backed by Russia and Iran. Turkey's NATO partners may also be wary of Russian use of the base, which is located five miles north of the Turkish city of Adana near the Syrian border. Incirlik hosts aircraft of the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Qatar involved in the US-led air campaign against Islamic State. (Reuters)

Turkey proposes cooperation with Russia in fighting IS: Foreign minister

At least 13,000 civilians have fled the Islamic State group bastion of Manbij in northern Syria since the launch of a US-backed offensive there, a monitor said Monday.&nbsp; 
 
The Kurds and Arabs fighting as the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance began their assault on Manbij in late May, encircling the town and entering its southwestern districts on June 23.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;At least 13,000 civilians have fled Manbij since the beginning of the SDF operation on May 31,&quot; said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group. 
 
&quot;The fleeing increased after the SDF besieged Manbij&quot; on June 10, he said, adding that on Sunday &quot;hundreds of people fled a southern district of the town where there have been fierce clashes in recent days&quot;. 
 
Manbij had served as a vital stop along an IS supply route from Turkey, from the border town of Jarabulus to its bastion province of Raqa.&nbsp; 
 
The SDF offensive on the town is backed by a US-led coalition that has been bombing IS in Iraq and Syria for nearly two years.&nbsp; 
 
The UN&#39;s humanitarian office has not released its own estimates of how many people have fled Manbij, but said in late June that about 60,000 people were still in the town.&nbsp; 
 
According to Abdel Rahman, residents are mostly fleeing from the southern SDF-controlled district into IS-free territory to the south. 
 
The SDF transported one group north to the Kurdish stronghold of Kobane on the Syrian-Turkish border. 
 
He said some civilians had died trying to escape, killed by IS snipers or explosives planted by the jihadists. 
 
SDF fighters have been struggling to advance inside Manbij in recent days as IS has dispatched suicide attackers to defend the town.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Daesh has used car bombs against a number of our positions,&quot; an SDF field commander told AFP on condition of anonymity. 
 
(AFP)

Manbij had served as a vital stop along an IS supply route from Turkey, from the border town of Jarabulus to its bastion province of Raqa.?

At least 13,000 civilians have fled the Islamic State group bastion of Manbij in northern Syria since the launch of a US-backed offensive there, a monitor said Monday. The Kurds and Arabs fighting as the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance began their assault on Manbij in late May, encircling the town and entering its southwestern districts on June 23. "At least 13,000 civilians have fled Manbij since the beginning of the SDF operation on May 31," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group. "The fleeing increased after the SDF besieged Manbij" on June 10, he said, adding that on Sunday "hundreds of people fled a southern district of the town where there have been fierce clashes in recent days". Manbij had served as a vital stop along an IS supply route from Turkey, from the border town of Jarabulus to its bastion province of Raqa. The SDF offensive on the town is backed by a US-led coalition that has been bombing IS in Iraq and Syria for nearly two years. The UN's humanitarian office has not released its own estimates of how many people have fled Manbij, but said in late June that about 60,000 people were still in the town. According to Abdel Rahman, residents are mostly fleeing from the southern SDF-controlled district into IS-free territory to the south. The SDF transported one group north to the Kurdish stronghold of Kobane on the Syrian-Turkish border. He said some civilians had died trying to escape, killed by IS snipers or explosives planted by the jihadists. SDF fighters have been struggling to advance inside Manbij in recent days as IS has dispatched suicide attackers to defend the town. "Daesh has used car bombs against a number of our positions," an SDF field commander told AFP on condition of anonymity. (AFP)

13,000 flee IS bastion Manbij since start of SDF assault

The tourists are so scarce you can hear their footsteps clattering down the empty shopping street. Nearly a week after the deadly airport bombings, it is eerily quiet in Istanbul. 
 
The magic of Turkey&#39;s biggest city has been seducing visitors for centuries, from its array of historic mosques and palaces to its stunning views over the sparkling Bosphorus. 
 
But for people working in the once-thriving tourist trade, Tuesday&#39;s gun and suicide bomb spree represents one more nail in the coffin for an industry already reeling from a string of attacks this year. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s disastrous,&quot; said Orhan Sonmez as he stood hopelessly offering tours of the Hagia Sophia, the cavernous former mosque and church that is now a museum. 
 
&quot;All my life I&#39;ve been a tour guide. Most of us have come to a turning point where we don`t know if we can go on. It&#39;s tragic.&quot; 
 
Restaurants sit empty in the Sultanahmet tourist district, and five-star hotel rooms can be booked for bargain prices. 
 
In happier years the queues outside the Hagia Sophia might have stretched an hour or longer at this time of year, today you can walk straight in and share the place with just a smattering of other visitors. 
 
To add to the ghost town feel, many Istanbulites have left the city for Bayram, a nine-day nationwide holiday that began Saturday. Nineteen foreigners were among the 45 people killed at Ataturk airport by suspected Islamic State jihadists, and analysts say the attack may have been a deliberate attempt to weaken the Turkish state by hitting its tourist industry. 
 
The group had already been blamed for a January suicide blast that killed 12 German tourists in Sultanahmet, while three Israelis and an Iranian died in another on the Istiklal shopping street in March. 
 
The Teyr?baz?n Azadiya Kurdistan (TAK) , a radical Kurdish group that has carried out several attacks in Turkey this year, also warned foreign tourists to stay away after it killed 11 people in an Istanbul car bombing in June. 
 
The United States, Germany and several other countries have warned their nationals against threats in Turkey, which is a candidate to join the European Union. 
 
Those still arriving say they are enjoying the peace and quiet, while taking a philosophical approach at a time when jihadist attacks have gone global. 
 
&quot;This could happen in any city, it`s an unlucky lottery,&quot; said Irish visitor Nessa Feehan, perusing Sultanhamet`s empty shops as she whiled away a stopover on her way to India. 
 
&quot;The people are really friendly, and I really think I&#39;ll come back and spend some more time here.&quot;In May, Turkey suffered its worst drop-off in visits in 22 years, down 35 per cent from a year ago as an industry which ordinarily brings in 30 billion Euros ($33.2 billion) went into free fall. 
 
This was partly a result of a Russian ban on Turkish package holidays that Moscow had slapped on Ankara over a bitter diplomatic row. 
 
That ban was lifted last week as the two countries made up -- cause for celebration in the resort province of Antalya, where Russians traditionally come to sun themselves in their droves. 
 
That will be a boost for the tourist industry as a whole, but Russians tend to plump for all-inclusive deals on Turkey&#39;s turquoise coast rather than heading to Istanbul to soak up history. 
 
&quot;If it goes on like this, many shops will close,&quot; said Ismail Celebi, worrying at a string of prayer beads in one hand as he sat at the gleaming counter of his jewellery shop.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I&#39;m thinking of moving to America. I can&#39;t make money here.&quot; 
 
The large Chinese tour groups still arriving are about the only bright spot on the horizon, said Celebi, adding that they spend &quot;crazy money&quot;. 
 
&quot;But it&#39;s not enough,&quot; he said. &quot;We need Americans, we need Europeans.&quot; 
 
His shop is just a stone&#39;s throw from the scene of the Sultanahmet bombing that left a dozen Germans dead six months ago -- and Celebi said he didn&#39;t blame people for not wanting to come. 
 
&quot;Even I&#39;m afraid to come to work here,&quot; he said. 
 
(AFP)

Restaurants sit empty in the Sultanahmet tourist district, and five-star hotel rooms can be booked for bargain prices

The tourists are so scarce you can hear their footsteps clattering down the empty shopping street. Nearly a week after the deadly airport bombings, it is eerily quiet in Istanbul. The magic of Turkey's biggest city has been seducing visitors for centuries, from its array of historic mosques and palaces to its stunning views over the sparkling Bosphorus. But for people working in the once-thriving tourist trade, Tuesday's gun and suicide bomb spree represents one more nail in the coffin for an industry already reeling from a string of attacks this year. "It's disastrous," said Orhan Sonmez as he stood hopelessly offering tours of the Hagia Sophia, the cavernous former mosque and church that is now a museum. "All my life I've been a tour guide. Most of us have come to a turning point where we don`t know if we can go on. It's tragic." Restaurants sit empty in the Sultanahmet tourist district, and five-star hotel rooms can be booked for bargain prices. In happier years the queues outside the Hagia Sophia might have stretched an hour or longer at this time of year, today you can walk straight in and share the place with just a smattering of other visitors. To add to the ghost town feel, many Istanbulites have left the city for Bayram, a nine-day nationwide holiday that began Saturday. Nineteen foreigners were among the 45 people killed at Ataturk airport by suspected Islamic State jihadists, and analysts say the attack may have been a deliberate attempt to weaken the Turkish state by hitting its tourist industry. The group had already been blamed for a January suicide blast that killed 12 German tourists in Sultanahmet, while three Israelis and an Iranian died in another on the Istiklal shopping street in March. The Teyr?baz?n Azadiya Kurdistan (TAK) , a radical Kurdish group that has carried out several attacks in Turkey this year, also warned foreign tourists to stay away after it killed 11 people in an Istanbul car bombing in June. The United States, Germany and several other countries have warned their nationals against threats in Turkey, which is a candidate to join the European Union. Those still arriving say they are enjoying the peace and quiet, while taking a philosophical approach at a time when jihadist attacks have gone global. "This could happen in any city, it`s an unlucky lottery," said Irish visitor Nessa Feehan, perusing Sultanhamet`s empty shops as she whiled away a stopover on her way to India. "The people are really friendly, and I really think I'll come back and spend some more time here."In May, Turkey suffered its worst drop-off in visits in 22 years, down 35 per cent from a year ago as an industry which ordinarily brings in 30 billion Euros ($33.2 billion) went into free fall. This was partly a result of a Russian ban on Turkish package holidays that Moscow had slapped on Ankara over a bitter diplomatic row. That ban was lifted last week as the two countries made up -- cause for celebration in the resort province of Antalya, where Russians traditionally come to sun themselves in their droves. That will be a boost for the tourist industry as a whole, but Russians tend to plump for all-inclusive deals on Turkey's turquoise coast rather than heading to Istanbul to soak up history. "If it goes on like this, many shops will close," said Ismail Celebi, worrying at a string of prayer beads in one hand as he sat at the gleaming counter of his jewellery shop. "I'm thinking of moving to America. I can't make money here." The large Chinese tour groups still arriving are about the only bright spot on the horizon, said Celebi, adding that they spend "crazy money". "But it's not enough," he said. "We need Americans, we need Europeans." His shop is just a stone's throw from the scene of the Sultanahmet bombing that left a dozen Germans dead six months ago -- and Celebi said he didn't blame people for not wanting to come. "Even I'm afraid to come to work here," he said. (AFP)

Ghost town: Eerie silence stalks Istanbul as tourists stay away

Syrian refugees living in Turkey could eventually be granted Turkish citizenship, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signalled, a plan that could spark controversy at home. 
 
&quot;I want to announce some good news,&quot; media quoted Erdogan as saying late Saturday at a dinner to break the Ramadan fast in Kilis province, on the Syrian border. 
 
&quot;We are going to help our Syrian friends in offering them the chance, if they want it, to acquire Turkish nationality.&quot; 
 
The interior ministry will shortly announce how the naturalisation procedure would work, Erdogan said, without giving further details. 
 
&quot;We regard you as our brothers and sisters -- you are not far from your homeland, but only from your homes and your land,&quot; Erdogan told a group of Syrian refugees in Kilis. 
 
&quot;Turkey is also your homeland.&quot; 
 
Turkey is hosting over 2.7-million refugees from the conflict in Syria -- but Ankara has refused to grant them refugee status, referring to them as &quot;guests&quot;. 
 
Only a select group of Syrians have been granted work permits and residency. 
 
Life is a struggle for most Syrians in Turkey who live mostly off odd jobs that are often insufficient to feed and house a family. 
 
Erdogan&#39;s announcement sparked debate on social media, with many Turkish web users questioning whether it was a good idea. 
 
&quot;Granting citizenship shouldn&#39;t depend on what one person wants. We need a referendum!&quot; wrote Mahomet Mahomet on Twitter. 
 
Other critics suggested the move might be a bid by Erdogan to register an army of thankful Syrian voters who might back his plans to boost his presidential powers. 
 
(AFP)

The Turkish president referred to Syrians as 'brothers and sisters' but Ankara, who hasn't granted them refugee status, calls them 'guests'

Syrian refugees living in Turkey could eventually be granted Turkish citizenship, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signalled, a plan that could spark controversy at home. "I want to announce some good news," media quoted Erdogan as saying late Saturday at a dinner to break the Ramadan fast in Kilis province, on the Syrian border. "We are going to help our Syrian friends in offering them the chance, if they want it, to acquire Turkish nationality." The interior ministry will shortly announce how the naturalisation procedure would work, Erdogan said, without giving further details. "We regard you as our brothers and sisters -- you are not far from your homeland, but only from your homes and your land," Erdogan told a group of Syrian refugees in Kilis. "Turkey is also your homeland." Turkey is hosting over 2.7-million refugees from the conflict in Syria -- but Ankara has refused to grant them refugee status, referring to them as "guests". Only a select group of Syrians have been granted work permits and residency. Life is a struggle for most Syrians in Turkey who live mostly off odd jobs that are often insufficient to feed and house a family. Erdogan's announcement sparked debate on social media, with many Turkish web users questioning whether it was a good idea. "Granting citizenship shouldn't depend on what one person wants. We need a referendum!" wrote Mahomet Mahomet on Twitter. Other critics suggested the move might be a bid by Erdogan to register an army of thankful Syrian voters who might back his plans to boost his presidential powers. (AFP)

Syrian refugees could become Turkish citizens: Erdogan

The suicide attackers who launched a deadly Istanbul airport assault were planning to take dozens of passengers hostage, Turkish media reported today, as CCTV images of the bombers&#39; faces emerged. 
 
Turkish officials have pointed fingers at the Islamic State for Tuesday night&#39;s gun and bomb attack at Ataturk airport, which left 44 people dead including 19 foreigners. 
 
The private NTV network reported that Istanbul police had detained 11 suspected IS militants over the attack, in addition to 13 rounded up on Thursday and another nine arrested in the western port city of Izmir. 
 
Officials say the men behind the latest in a series of deadly attacks to hit Turkey were of Russian, Uzbek and Kyrgyz nationalities. 
 
Turkish media identified the mastermind of the airport attack as Akhmet Chatayev, a Chechen, adding that he had led an IS cell in Istanbul and found accommodation for the bombers.&nbsp; 
 
Chatayev allegedly organised two deadly bombings this year in the heart of the city&#39;s Sultanahmet tourist district and the busy Istiklal shopping street, the Hurriyet newspaper said. 
 
The pro-government Sabah newspaper reported that the attackers scouted the scene and planned to take dozens of passengers hostage before carrying out a massacre. 
 
However, they began the assault early after attracting suspicion, Sabah said. 
 
CCTV images released by the police show the three alleged attackers arriving in dark coats over their suicide vests - clothing that was much too heavy for a hot summer night. 
 
More images show a plainclothes police officer confronting one of the men by an elevator and asking to see his identification. The attacker pulls out a gun and shoots him. Turkey has been rocked by a series of attacks in the past year. IS jihadists or Kurdish rebels have been blamed. 
 
The attack sparked global condemnation, with consuls from a dozen countries around Europe and beyond gathering at the airport today to lay flowers in memory of the victims. 
 
Hundreds of mourners also gathered in Istanbul on Thursday for the funeral of popular 28-year-old teacher Huseyin Tunc, who was at the airport to welcome a friend. 
 
&quot;We still can&#39;t believe it,&quot; one of his pupils, Batuhan Karabey, said, adding, &quot;He was more than a teacher to us - he was like a big brother, helping us a lot. Really, I can&#39;t believe it&#39;s true.&quot; 
 
The Hurriyet newspaper reported that the bombers had rented a flat in Istanbul&#39;s Fatih district, home to many Syrians and other Arabs, and paid 24,000 Turkish Lira (7,500 Euros) in advance for a year&#39;s rent. 
 
The police raided the apartment after the attack, according to a neighbour, who said the bombers kept the curtains drawn. She never saw the attackers, but she heard them, and complained to local neighbourhood officials about a strange smell. 
 
&quot;A very weird, chemical smell,&quot; she told Hurriyet, adding, &quot;Police came after the bombing... I lived on top of the bomb.&quot; 
 
Hurriyet also quoted a local plumber, identified only by his initials ES, who says one of the attackers came to his shop to ask if he could fix their tap. 
 
&quot;He spoke in broken Turkish. He took me home,&quot; the plumber said. 
 
&quot;I changed the tap. I saw three people inside. They looked like bandits. One always stood by me. I left after changing the tap. They paid me 20 Turkish Lira,&quot; ES said. 
 
(AFP)

Turkish officials say the 3 bombers were a Russian, an Uzbek and a Kyrgyz national

The suicide attackers who launched a deadly Istanbul airport assault were planning to take dozens of passengers hostage, Turkish media reported today, as CCTV images of the bombers' faces emerged. Turkish officials have pointed fingers at the Islamic State for Tuesday night's gun and bomb attack at Ataturk airport, which left 44 people dead including 19 foreigners. The private NTV network reported that Istanbul police had detained 11 suspected IS militants over the attack, in addition to 13 rounded up on Thursday and another nine arrested in the western port city of Izmir. Officials say the men behind the latest in a series of deadly attacks to hit Turkey were of Russian, Uzbek and Kyrgyz nationalities. Turkish media identified the mastermind of the airport attack as Akhmet Chatayev, a Chechen, adding that he had led an IS cell in Istanbul and found accommodation for the bombers. Chatayev allegedly organised two deadly bombings this year in the heart of the city's Sultanahmet tourist district and the busy Istiklal shopping street, the Hurriyet newspaper said. The pro-government Sabah newspaper reported that the attackers scouted the scene and planned to take dozens of passengers hostage before carrying out a massacre. However, they began the assault early after attracting suspicion, Sabah said. CCTV images released by the police show the three alleged attackers arriving in dark coats over their suicide vests - clothing that was much too heavy for a hot summer night. More images show a plainclothes police officer confronting one of the men by an elevator and asking to see his identification. The attacker pulls out a gun and shoots him. Turkey has been rocked by a series of attacks in the past year. IS jihadists or Kurdish rebels have been blamed. The attack sparked global condemnation, with consuls from a dozen countries around Europe and beyond gathering at the airport today to lay flowers in memory of the victims. Hundreds of mourners also gathered in Istanbul on Thursday for the funeral of popular 28-year-old teacher Huseyin Tunc, who was at the airport to welcome a friend. "We still can't believe it," one of his pupils, Batuhan Karabey, said, adding, "He was more than a teacher to us - he was like a big brother, helping us a lot. Really, I can't believe it's true." The Hurriyet newspaper reported that the bombers had rented a flat in Istanbul's Fatih district, home to many Syrians and other Arabs, and paid 24,000 Turkish Lira (7,500 Euros) in advance for a year's rent. The police raided the apartment after the attack, according to a neighbour, who said the bombers kept the curtains drawn. She never saw the attackers, but she heard them, and complained to local neighbourhood officials about a strange smell. "A very weird, chemical smell," she told Hurriyet, adding, "Police came after the bombing... I lived on top of the bomb." Hurriyet also quoted a local plumber, identified only by his initials ES, who says one of the attackers came to his shop to ask if he could fix their tap. "He spoke in broken Turkish. He took me home," the plumber said. "I changed the tap. I saw three people inside. They looked like bandits. One always stood by me. I left after changing the tap. They paid me 20 Turkish Lira," ES said. (AFP)

Istanbul airport bombers planned to take hostages

Turkish police carried out raids against suspected Islamic State cells in Istanbul and the Aegean coastal city of Izmir today, the state-run Anadolu agency said, two days after a triple suicide bombing killed 42 people at Istanbul airport. 
 
Turkish authorities and US officials believe Islamic State was responsible for Tuesday night&#39;s gun and bomb attack on Europe&#39;s third-busiest airport, the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings in Turkey this year. 
 
Counter-terrorism police led by special forces officers carried out raids in several low-income neighbourhoods of Istanbul,&nbsp;including Pendik, Basaksehir and Sultanbeyli,&nbsp;&nbsp;Anadolu said, without citing its sources. 
 
It was not immediately clear if the raids were directly linked to the attack on Ataturk airport. 
 
Nine suspected militants, thought to have been in contact with Islamic State members in Syria, were meanwhile detained in the dawn raids in four districts of Izmir, the news agency said. It said they were accused of financing, recruiting and providing logistical support to the Sunni hard-line group. 
 
Three bombers opened fire to create panic outside Istanbul airport on Tuesday, before two of them got inside and blew themselves up. The third detonated his explosives at the entrance. Two hundred thirty-nine people were wounded. 
 
Turkey is part of a US-led military coalition against Islamic State and home to about 3 million refugees from the five-year civil war in neighbouring Syria. 
 
Islamic State has established a self-declared caliphate on swathes of both Syria and Iraq and declared war on all non-Muslims and all Muslims who do not accept its ultra-hardline vision of Sunni Islam. It has claimed responsibility for similar bombing and gun attacks in Belgium and France in the past year. 
 
(Reuters)

Nine suspected militants thought to have links with IS in Syria were detained in raids in four districts of Izmir, Anadolu agency reported

Turkish police carried out raids against suspected Islamic State cells in Istanbul and the Aegean coastal city of Izmir today, the state-run Anadolu agency said, two days after a triple suicide bombing killed 42 people at Istanbul airport. Turkish authorities and US officials believe Islamic State was responsible for Tuesday night's gun and bomb attack on Europe's third-busiest airport, the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings in Turkey this year. Counter-terrorism police led by special forces officers carried out raids in several low-income neighbourhoods of Istanbul, including Pendik, Basaksehir and Sultanbeyli, Anadolu said, without citing its sources. It was not immediately clear if the raids were directly linked to the attack on Ataturk airport. Nine suspected militants, thought to have been in contact with Islamic State members in Syria, were meanwhile detained in the dawn raids in four districts of Izmir, the news agency said. It said they were accused of financing, recruiting and providing logistical support to the Sunni hard-line group. Three bombers opened fire to create panic outside Istanbul airport on Tuesday, before two of them got inside and blew themselves up. The third detonated his explosives at the entrance. Two hundred thirty-nine people were wounded. Turkey is part of a US-led military coalition against Islamic State and home to about 3 million refugees from the five-year civil war in neighbouring Syria. Islamic State has established a self-declared caliphate on swathes of both Syria and Iraq and declared war on all non-Muslims and all Muslims who do not accept its ultra-hardline vision of Sunni Islam. It has claimed responsibility for similar bombing and gun attacks in Belgium and France in the past year. (Reuters)

Turkish police raid suspected Islamic State cells in Istanbul, Izmir

Evidence gathered so far points to Islamic State being responsible for a triple suicide bombing at Istanbul&#39;s main airport this week, Turkish interior minister Efkan Ala told Parliament on Thursday. 
 
Ala said the death toll from Tuesday night&#39;s attack had risen to 43&nbsp;including 19 foreigners. The three suspected bombers were from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, a Turkish government official said earlier. 
 
The attack on one of the world&#39;s busiest airports, a hub at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, was the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings in&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;this year.&nbsp; 
 
Hundreds of employees at Ataturk airport and families gathered at a makeshift memorial in the terminal building to pay their respects to 15 colleagues who were killed in the attack.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;This could have been worse. We lost our friends,&quot; an employee at the airport, Aziz Aydin, said.&nbsp; 
 
Wars in neighbouring Syria and Iraq have fostered a home-grown Islamic State network blamed for a series of suicide bombings in&nbsp;Turkey, including two others this year targeting foreign tourists in the heart of Istanbul.&nbsp; 
 
Critics say&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;woke up too late to the threat from Islamic State, focusing instead early in the Syrian civil war on trying to oust president Bashar al-Assad by backing even his hardline Islamist opponents, arguing there could be no peace without his departure. 
 
Thousands of foreign fighters from scores of countries have crossed&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;to join Islamic State in Syria and Iraq in recent years.&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;has tightened security on the Syrian border but has long argued it needs more information from foreign intelligence agencies to intercept the fighters. 
 
(Reuters)

Turkish interior minister spoke in Parliament while a memorial service was underway at the airport for employees killed in the attack

Evidence gathered so far points to Islamic State being responsible for a triple suicide bombing at Istanbul's main airport this week, Turkish interior minister Efkan Ala told Parliament on Thursday. Ala said the death toll from Tuesday night's attack had risen to 43 including 19 foreigners. The three suspected bombers were from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, a Turkish government official said earlier. The attack on one of the world's busiest airports, a hub at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, was the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings in Turkey this year. Hundreds of employees at Ataturk airport and families gathered at a makeshift memorial in the terminal building to pay their respects to 15 colleagues who were killed in the attack. "This could have been worse. We lost our friends," an employee at the airport, Aziz Aydin, said. Wars in neighbouring Syria and Iraq have fostered a home-grown Islamic State network blamed for a series of suicide bombings in Turkey, including two others this year targeting foreign tourists in the heart of Istanbul. Critics say Turkey woke up too late to the threat from Islamic State, focusing instead early in the Syrian civil war on trying to oust president Bashar al-Assad by backing even his hardline Islamist opponents, arguing there could be no peace without his departure. Thousands of foreign fighters from scores of countries have crossed Turkey to join Islamic State in Syria and Iraq in recent years. Turkey has tightened security on the Syrian border but has long argued it needs more information from foreign intelligence agencies to intercept the fighters. (Reuters)

Evidence suggests Islamic State behind Istanbul attack, says minister

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Russia&#39;s Vladimir Putin spoke on the telephone today and both expressed a determination to revive mutual relations and fight against terrorism, Erdogan&#39;s office said in a statement. 
 
The call was arranged after Erdogan expressed regret in a letter to Putin on Monday over Turkey&#39;s downing of a Russian warplane last year. 
 
The two also agreed during their call to meet in person, Erdogan&#39;s office said, adding that &quot;necessary steps&quot; should be taken to revive relations. 
 
(Reuters)

A phone call was arranged after Erdogan expressed regret in a letter to Putin over downing a Russian warplane last year

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Russia's Vladimir Putin spoke on the telephone today and both expressed a determination to revive mutual relations and fight against terrorism, Erdogan's office said in a statement. The call was arranged after Erdogan expressed regret in a letter to Putin on Monday over Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane last year. The two also agreed during their call to meet in person, Erdogan's office said, adding that "necessary steps" should be taken to revive relations. (Reuters)

Turkey and Russia agree to revive mutual relations

Three suicide bombers opened fire before blowing themselves up in the main international airport in Istanbul on Tuesday night, killing 36 people and wounding close to 150, officials said. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that initial indications point at Islamic State as being responsible for the attack. 
 
&quot;According to assessments so far, 36 people have lost their lives and there were also many wounded,&quot; Yildirim told reporters at the site of the attack on Europe&#39;s third-busiest airport. The attack took place shortly before 10 pm local time when two gunmen opened fire at a security checkpoint at Ataturk airport, The New York Times quoted officials. 
 
Police fired shots to try to stop two of the attackers just before they reached a security checkpoint at the arrivals hall at Ataturk airport, but they detonated their explosives, one of the officials said. 
 
Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin said authorities believed there were three suicide bombers, an account corroborated by witnesses. 
 
A Turkish official said the vast majority of those killed were Turkish nationals, but foreigners were also among the dead. 
 
&quot;There was a huge explosion, extremely loud. The roof came down. Inside the airport it is terrible, you can&#39;t recognise it, the damage is big,&quot; said Ali Tekin, who was at the arrivals hall waiting for a guest when the attack took place. 
 
A woman named Duygu, who was at passport control having just arrived from Germany, said she threw herself onto the floor with the sound of the explosion. Several witnesses also reported hearing gunfire shortly before the attacks. 
 
&quot;Everyone started running away. Everywhere was covered with blood and body parts. I saw bullet holes on the doors,&quot; she said outside the airport. 
 
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest in a string of suicide bombings in Turkey this year, but the Dogan news agency said initial indications suggested Islamic State may have been responsible, citing police sources. 
 
A Turkish official said it was too soon to assign blame. 
 
The attack bore some similarities to a suicide bombing by Islamic State militants at Brussels airport in March which killed 16 people. A coordinated attack also targeted a rush-hour metro train, killing a further 16 people in the Belgian capital. 
 
Paul Roos, 77, described seeing one of the attackers &quot;randomly shooting&quot; on the departures floor of the terminal. 
 
&quot;He was just firing at anyone coming in front of him. He was wearing all black. His face was not masked. I was 50 metres (55 yards) away from him,&quot; said Roos, a South African on his way back to Cape Town with his wife after a holiday in southern Turkey. 
 
&quot;We ducked behind a counter but I stood up and watched him. Two explosions went off shortly after one another. By that time he had stopped shooting,&quot; Roos told Reuters. 
 
&quot;He turned around and started coming towards us. He was holding his gun inside his jacket. He looked around anxiously to see if anyone was going to stop him and then went down the escalator ... We heard some more gunfire and then another explosion, and then it was over.&quot; 
 
&quot;Could have been anywhere&quot; 
 
President Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against militant groups. 
 
&quot;The attack, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan, shows that terrorism strikes with no regard for faith and values,&quot; he said in a statement. 
 
&quot;The bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world,&quot; he said, urging all governments to join forces against terrorism. 
 
Speaking in Parliament earlier, Turkish justice minister Bekir Bozdag said initial reports suggested one attacker had initially opened fire with a Kalashnikov then detonated explosives. 
 
Ataturk is Turkey&#39;s largest airport and a major transport hub for international travellers. Pictures posted on social media from the site showed wounded people lying on the ground inside and outside one of the terminal buildings. 
 
A helicopter buzzed overhead as police evacuated the building. Dozens of passengers walked back down access roads with their luggage, trying to hail cabs. The US embassy urged US citizens to avoid the area. 
 
Flights halted 
 
Authorities halted the take-off of scheduled flights from the airport and passengers were transferred to hotels, a Turkish Airlines official said. Earlier an airport official said some flights to the airport had been diverted. 
 
The airport will be closed for up to 48 hours, Turkey told one foreign government. 
 
In the United States, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reacted to the explosions by putting armed, high-visibility patrols at the three main airports in the New York metropolitan region. 
 
Turkey has suffered a spate of bombings this year, including two suicide attacks in tourist areas of Istanbul blamed on Islamic State, and two car bombings in the capital, Ankara, which were claimed by a Kurdish militant group. 
 
In the most recent attack, a car bomb ripped through a police bus in central Istanbul during the morning rush hour, killing 11 people and wounding 36 near the main tourist district, a major university and the mayor&#39;s office. 
 
Turkey, which is part of the US-led coalition against Islamic State, is also fighting Kurdish militants in its largely Kurdish southeast. 
 
One person was killed on December 23, 2015, when an explosion hit Istanbul&#39;s second airport, Sabiha Gokcen, located on the Asian side of the city. That attack was claimed by a Kurdish militant group. 
 
(Agencies)

Three gunmen with suspected links to IS fired indiscriminately in Turkey's international airport before blowing themselves up

Three suicide bombers opened fire before blowing themselves up in the main international airport in Istanbul on Tuesday night, killing 36 people and wounding close to 150, officials said. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that initial indications point at Islamic State as being responsible for the attack. "According to assessments so far, 36 people have lost their lives and there were also many wounded," Yildirim told reporters at the site of the attack on Europe's third-busiest airport. The attack took place shortly before 10 pm local time when two gunmen opened fire at a security checkpoint at Ataturk airport, The New York Times quoted officials. Police fired shots to try to stop two of the attackers just before they reached a security checkpoint at the arrivals hall at Ataturk airport, but they detonated their explosives, one of the officials said. Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin said authorities believed there were three suicide bombers, an account corroborated by witnesses. A Turkish official said the vast majority of those killed were Turkish nationals, but foreigners were also among the dead. "There was a huge explosion, extremely loud. The roof came down. Inside the airport it is terrible, you can't recognise it, the damage is big," said Ali Tekin, who was at the arrivals hall waiting for a guest when the attack took place. A woman named Duygu, who was at passport control having just arrived from Germany, said she threw herself onto the floor with the sound of the explosion. Several witnesses also reported hearing gunfire shortly before the attacks. "Everyone started running away. Everywhere was covered with blood and body parts. I saw bullet holes on the doors," she said outside the airport. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest in a string of suicide bombings in Turkey this year, but the Dogan news agency said initial indications suggested Islamic State may have been responsible, citing police sources. A Turkish official said it was too soon to assign blame. The attack bore some similarities to a suicide bombing by Islamic State militants at Brussels airport in March which killed 16 people. A coordinated attack also targeted a rush-hour metro train, killing a further 16 people in the Belgian capital. Paul Roos, 77, described seeing one of the attackers "randomly shooting" on the departures floor of the terminal. "He was just firing at anyone coming in front of him. He was wearing all black. His face was not masked. I was 50 metres (55 yards) away from him," said Roos, a South African on his way back to Cape Town with his wife after a holiday in southern Turkey. "We ducked behind a counter but I stood up and watched him. Two explosions went off shortly after one another. By that time he had stopped shooting," Roos told Reuters. "He turned around and started coming towards us. He was holding his gun inside his jacket. He looked around anxiously to see if anyone was going to stop him and then went down the escalator ... We heard some more gunfire and then another explosion, and then it was over." "Could have been anywhere" President Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against militant groups. "The attack, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan, shows that terrorism strikes with no regard for faith and values," he said in a statement. "The bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world," he said, urging all governments to join forces against terrorism. Speaking in Parliament earlier, Turkish justice minister Bekir Bozdag said initial reports suggested one attacker had initially opened fire with a Kalashnikov then detonated explosives. Ataturk is Turkey's largest airport and a major transport hub for international travellers. Pictures posted on social media from the site showed wounded people lying on the ground inside and outside one of the terminal buildings. A helicopter buzzed overhead as police evacuated the building. Dozens of passengers walked back down access roads with their luggage, trying to hail cabs. The US embassy urged US citizens to avoid the area. Flights halted Authorities halted the take-off of scheduled flights from the airport and passengers were transferred to hotels, a Turkish Airlines official said. Earlier an airport official said some flights to the airport had been diverted. The airport will be closed for up to 48 hours, Turkey told one foreign government. In the United States, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reacted to the explosions by putting armed, high-visibility patrols at the three main airports in the New York metropolitan region. Turkey has suffered a spate of bombings this year, including two suicide attacks in tourist areas of Istanbul blamed on Islamic State, and two car bombings in the capital, Ankara, which were claimed by a Kurdish militant group. In the most recent attack, a car bomb ripped through a police bus in central Istanbul during the morning rush hour, killing 11 people and wounding 36 near the main tourist district, a major university and the mayor's office. Turkey, which is part of the US-led coalition against Islamic State, is also fighting Kurdish militants in its largely Kurdish southeast. One person was killed on December 23, 2015, when an explosion hit Istanbul's second airport, Sabiha Gokcen, located on the Asian side of the city. That attack was claimed by a Kurdish militant group. (Agencies)

Istanbul airport suicide attack: 41 dead, 239 wounded, Turkish PM says initial findings point to Islamic State

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