Attempted military coup in Turkey

The Turkish prosecutor’s office said at least 42 people have been killed in attacks in the capital city of Ankara.

Rumors spread late Friday that the coup was staged, but sources have not confirmed details.

The Turkish military reportedly released an official statement saying that it “fully seized control” of the country on Friday night local time. Local news stations were also reporting that the section of the military that initiated the coup attempt had gained control of the country.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim confirmed that a military group launched an attempted coup, but didn’t say it succeeded, according to an Associated Press tweet on Friday. The AP said Yildirim said, “It is correct that there was an attempt.”

The Turkish government issued a statement around 2 a.m. local time that the coup had been “repelled,” according to AP.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan returned to Turkey from a vacation to the Black Sea early Saturday morning and said the prime minister has given orders to “eradicate” those shooting from the air, according to the Associated Press.

Edrogan also said his general secretary had been abducted by coup makers and that military planes attempted to bomb the hotel he stayed at in Marmaris.

Shortly after, state-run media outlets said the Turkish Parliament in Ankara had been bombed. Witnesses in Istanbul also reported hearing a loud explosion.

Early Friday morning, Erdogan called on citizens to demonstrate in the streets to show support for the government. His office would not say where he is, only that he is in a secure location.

The AP reported that soldiers fired on people trying to cross the Bosphorous bridge in Istanbul in protest of the coup attempt, and some were hurt. The military shut down both that bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in the city of 14 million people.

Yildirim said the military uprising outside the chain of command “won’t be tolerated,” and promised harsh consequences for service members who participated, Business Insider reported. Other security forces in the country had been called in to try to stop the unrest.

The State Department confirmed a “possible attempted uprising” in Turkey, and told people to “remain vigilant.”

“The United States views with gravest concern events unfolding in Turkey. We are monitoring a very fluid situation,” Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement. “I spoke this evening to Foreign Minister Cavusoglu and emphasized the United States’ absolute support for Turkey’s democratically-elected, civilian government and democratic institutions.”

Obama and Kerry discussed the situation Friday night and said they will support Erdogan’s democratically elected government and are focused on the safety of American citizens in the country.

“We are monitoring the situation in Turkey closely and are taking appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of our service members, civilians, their families, and our facilities,” the Pentagon said in a statement late Friday. “As of this time, there has been no impact to Incirlik Air Base and counter-ISIL air operations from Incirlik continue.”

It also said people should use email or phone to reach family members, as did the U.S. Embassy in Turkey, which told U.S. citizens there to shelter in place.

Video posted to Twitter appears to show F-16s flying low over Ankara. Reuters also reported that gunshots were heard in the city.

Other sources are reporting that social media in Turkey has been blocked.

Turkey is a NATO ally and a part of the coalition to fight the Islamic State. Thousands of U.S. troops are stationed at Incirlik Air Base, but all dependents were ordered to evacuate from Incirlik in March.

This is a breaking story that will be updated.