Obama to Turkish rioters: Support democratically elected president

Published July 15, 2016 11:40pm ET



President Obama urged Turkish citizens to support thier democratically elected government amidst a military takeover of the nation and its capital, in a statement Friday evening.

Obama asked rioters to “show restraint” and “avoid any violence or bloodshed” as they protest the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkish military forces have blocked all people from entering or leaving the country.