Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan returned to Istanbul on Saturday, saying his government had regained control after an army faction attempted to overthrow him.
At least 336 people were arrested and at least 60 others were killed as soldiers and tanks took to the streets late on Friday and multiple explosions rang out throughout the night in Ankara and Istanbul.
Addressing a large crowd of jubilant supporters outside Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport on Saturday morning, Erdogan said: “They have pointed the people’s guns against the people. The president, whom 52 percent of the people brought to power, is in charge. This government brought to power by the people, is in charge.
“They won’t succeed as long as we stand against them by risking everything.”
Government officials said the coup appeared to have failed, however, the sounds of huge blasts, including at least one bomb that hit the parliament complex, continued to echo across Ankara and Istanbul throughout the morning.