Modern-day Turkey Has Faced Four Military Coups in the Past
In the past, the military made four attempts to seize control from the government in power.
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The parliament in Turkey came under attack early on Saturday morning as the military tried to seize control of the administration. The chief of military staff was taken hostage and 60 people, including 17 police officers, were killed.
This is not the first time that Turkey’s armed forces have attempted to seize power in the country.
27 May 1960
In the Turkish Republic first coup, the then president, prime minister and several cabinet members were arrested and tried for treason and other offences.
The coup was carried out by the military – which considers itself the guardian of “modernist ideals” according to ABC News – in response to the re-emergence of religion in the country.
12 March 1971
After a few years of Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel’s government, economic downturn led to widespread unrest. The military intervened once again in an effort to “restore order”.
12 September 1980
In the year 1980, clashes between left and right-wing groups led to another army coup.
28 February 1997
The military offered series of “recommendations” after the rise of Welfare Party-led government. The government had no choice but to accept, and the then Islamist Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan was forced to resign.
(With inputs from ABC News, Al Jazeera)
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