“M ilitary forces shut two bridges over the Bosporus in Istanbul, and fighter jets were seen flying over Istanbul and Ankara, the capital”, according to this article written by Tim Arango of The New York Times. “The main airport in Istanbul was reported to have halted flights.”
FlyerTalk members are already reporting that their flights are being diverted to destinations such as Sofia and Beirut.
No official statement has been posted at this time at the official Internet web site of Turkish Airlines pertaining to updates on the status of flights departing and arriving in Turkey.
All Flights in Istanbul Reported Halted Due to Attempted Military Coup
Martial law has been declared as the result of an attempted coup by the military; and who is currently in control of Turkey is unknown at this time. Roads are currently closed.
“Gunfire rang out, troops stormed government buildings and jets roared over the Turkish capital of Ankara on Friday as Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said a group within Turkey’s military was attempting to overthrow the government”, according to this article written by Everett Rosenfeld and Ted Kemp of CNBC. “A national curfew was announced, and other security forces had been called in to ‘do what is necessary,’ Yildirim said.”
There are reports that at least one person is being held hostage; and that army troops are in Taksim Square in Istanbul.
https://twitter.com/agirecudi/status/754065778404651008
Summary
Turkey has suffered its share of setbacks — the latest before today being the explosions and gunfire at Istanbul Atatürk Airport almost three weeks ago.
Here are some important messages just released from the Department of State of the United States via its official Twitter account:
US citizens in #Turkey: contact loved ones directly to let them know if you're okay. Use email/SMS/telephone if social media blocked.
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) July 15, 2016
U.S. citizens in #Turkey should continue to shelter in place. Do not attempt to go to @USEmbassyTurkey or Consulates at this time.
— Department of State (@StateDept) July 15, 2016
Emergency message for U.S. citizens affected by the situation in #Turkey: https://t.co/H6oEdOi81l | Follow @USEmbassyTurkey and @TravelGov.
— Department of State (@StateDept) July 15, 2016
If you have travel plans to Turkey within the near future, please be aware that you may likely need to alter, postpone or cancel them depending on the severity of this situation.
This situation is still developing as more information come in…
