Erdoğan calls on citizens to streets, airports to resist against coup attempt - hurriyetdailynews

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a phone interview on broadcaster CNNTürk that a "minority group" in the military has attempted a coup.

Erdoğan said the parallel state, referring to the followers of the U.S.-based scholar Fethullah Gülen, has promoted the attempt. 

"We will not leave the ground to them," he said, vowing to end the "occupation" by the group, called on nation to unite at squares and airports. Erdoğen said he would also be on the streets. 

The move is not as part of the chain of command, he said.  "I am the chief commander," he said. 

Separately, on broadcaster NTV, Erdoğan said by phone that no attempt against himself was made. 

Later, he appeared on television channels in the Aegean resort town of Marmaris, saying that the attempt was against the national will. 

A large crowd gathered at Ankara's Kızılay Avenue. 

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ said the attempters will not succeed.  "Over our dead bodies," he said, thanking all political parties and broadcasters for supporting democracy. 

He called on soldiers not to obey the coup attempters, adding that this was not ordered by the chief generals.

Turkey’s First Army Commander Ümit Dündar said he contacted with the Istanbul governor from the first minute of the uprising.

The rebels are “a small group in the First Army,” he said. “There is nothing to be worried about and all measures are being taken with the soldiers who remain in the chain of command.”  - Read More

Erdoğan calls on citizens to streets, airports to resist against coup attemp