Turkey’s military launches a coup; Erdogan vows to resist

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris, Turkey, July 15, 2016.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris, Turkey, July 15, 2016.
Image: Reuters/Kenan Gurbuz
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Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has responded to an apparent military coup in his country in a FaceTime call to CNN Türk.

The president proclaimed himself still in control of the government, blaming a “minority within the military” loyal to exiled preacher-politician Fethullah Gülen. He additionally called on Turkish citizens to take to the streets to defend “Turkish democracy.”

The president was reportedly on holiday on the Turkish Riviera when the coup began. Media are reporting he is attempting to return to Ankara.