On-Going Military Coup in Turkey

[Crumpets]

Any ideas what contingent might try to pull off a coup? Grey Wolf sympathizers? Random coalition of anti Erdoganists? In other words, is this actually concerning?

Istanbul Airport seized. https://twitter.com/MahirZeynalov/status/754048033667489793

Great. I'm flying through there in a couple of months.

[Crumpets]

According to a friend of mine (who would know) this is likely members of the Gulen Movement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BClen_movement

[Crumpets]

And for the record, if this is related to the Gulen movement, Gulen himself is currently living in exile in Pennsylvania.

[Crumpets]

Apparently the Army COS has been taken hostage? https://twitter.com/MahirZeynalov/status/754053004773523457

The question is whether we're talking about a bunch of colonels (perhaps some junior generals), or senior generals being involved.

I don't know how the Turkish military is organized, but does the fact that this coup appears to be taking place simultaneously in Istanbul and Ankara imply that it must go at least reasonably high up the chain of command?

[Crumpets]

For a bit of levity, here's what The Young Turks are covering right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a48o2S1cPoo

[Crumpets]

*ERDOGAN ON HIS WAY TO ATATURK AIRPORT: ANADOLU

"On his way" or "being taken to?"

[Crumpets]

Surely I'm not the only one troubled by Kerry's initial statement, in particular the lack of even a token mention of how democracy and the constitutional order of a country such as this should be respected?

I wouldn't be too shocked if the US had a hand in this. Wouldn't be the first time.

Given the scale I am sure the CIA and/or US military should have pre-knowledge of this.  

Some things to remember:
 - The Pentagon said they didn't have any warning of this,
 - But that doesn't say anything about the CIA or State.
 - Fethullah Gülen, who has a lot of allies in the army, lives in Pennsylvania.

[Crumpets]

Army statement: "Secular rule of law was threatened."

[Crumpets]

Erdogan seeking asylum in Germany! Refused landing rights!

-NBC

[Crumpets]

So, why would Erdogan try to fly into Ataturk Airport instead of going to Ankara? Surely there must be an airport somewhere in Turkey that is run by people sympathetic to him? Unless he's truly relinquishing power and can read the writing on the wall.

[Crumpets]

From Al-Jazeera:

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https://twitter.com/AJENews/status/754066815131774976

[Crumpets]

MSNBC: Germany denies landing. https://twitter.com/MariaLiaCalvo/status/754067355408314368

Wow. A miracle.

Should be clear, this is saying Germany denied permission to land, not that a landing was attempted.

[Crumpets]

Apparently the leader of the Istanbul division of the army has come out against the coup. So it's possible Erdogan may be able to land in Istanbul now.

[Crumpets]

The Idea that Erdogan planned this all himself would make him one of the greatest masterminds of all time. I don't think anyone who has heard him speak would think that.

I suppose it's also possible he might have been tipped off that the coup was happening days or weeks ago and figured he had a lot more to gain from letting it happen and returning as a national hero than just arresting a bunch of military officials and saying they were plotting to overthrow him.

[Crumpets]

I think it might be time to change the title of this thread.