Voice From Turkey: ‘Failed Coup Will Strengthen Erdogan’s Hand’

People stand on a tank after they stopped it in Istanbul, early Saturday on 16 July 2016. (Photo: AP)

A group within Turkey’s military attempted to overthrow the Turkish government, accusing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of undermining Turkey’s secular tradition.

The attempted coup has left 90 people dead and 1,154 people injured.

The Turkish government, however, called the coup a failed attempt undertaken by a minority section. Maintaining that the government is in control, he asked the Turkish citizens to support the elected government.

Hundreds of military personnel surrendered in Istanbul and Ankara. Turkish official sources said 1,563 members of the armed forces have been arrested. Among them are 29 colonels and five generals.

The Quint spoke with Candar Yildiz, Editor at the Istanbul bureau of IMC-TV, an independent television station in Turkey to better understand the situation.

Here’s what she said:

• By most accounts, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s civilian government is back in control.
  
• The coup by a section of the military has failed. Thousands have taken to the streets in support of Erdogan’s government.
  
• Last night’s violence was largely restricted to country capital Ankara, and Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. News from the provinces is still filtering in.
  
• The failure of the coup is likely to strengthen the hand of President Erdogan, whose government has - in the past - been in open conflict with the military.