ANKARA – Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Saturday 241 people were killed in the coup attempt against the government, with 2,839 soldiers now detained on suspicion of involvement.
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.
A short summary Turkey’s failed coup attempt – everything you need to know
Plotters opened fire on civilians without hesitation, Binali Yildirim said.
Related: Erdogan returns as military coup attempt repelled in Turkey
Rebel soldiers in Ankara and Istanbul were still firing from the air early on Saturday, although fighter jets have taken off to deal with rogue military aircraft, he added.
He has ordered the military to shoot down aircraft being used by coup plotters.
However, the whereabouts of the military chief of staff remains unknown and sporadic gunfire is still reported in major cities, BBC reported.
UPDATE: Turkey detains 1,563 army personnel over coup attempt pic.twitter.com/2F6X6GAeov – @anadoluagency
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Istanbul’s main Ataturk airport is now under army control, and flights – which had been interrupted for some hours – are due to resume from 06:00 (03:00 GMT).
VIDEO: Abandoned tanks at the entrance of Sabiha airport on the asian side of #Istanbul #Turkey – @luftiabuaunpic.twitter.com/QDMfNQeutT
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PHOTO: Prime Minister’s office after air strike on Turkish parliament over night #Ankara – @140journos pic.twitter.com/WbVVS2nwvF
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PHOTO: Damage to the Turkish parliament after overnight air attacks by army – @BNONews pic.twitter.com/zPlNfJHXQ0
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PHOTO: Rear admiral in Mersin being arrested by police #Turkey – @Aksam pic.twitter.com/PgmlsDgWNV
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BREAKING: 29 colonels and 5 generals have been sacked, some of them arrested: Turkish Interior Minister – @WashingtonPoint
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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has flown into Istanbul after an army group said it took over the country.
He was seen surrounded by supporters and said the coup attempt was an “act of treason” in a live TV speech.
