A view from Istanbul as the Turkish celebrate failure of military coup

Tens of thousands of Turks are on city streets in the early hours ofSaturdaymorning tentatively celebrating the overthrow of a military coup.

Military uniforms littered bridges and streets as young army officers were placed under arrest overnight. The thousands that stayed awake into morning were in a state of jubilation as they congratulated each other for crushing the army's attempt.

Owners of vehicles abandoned on city streets in panic came back to find tank track imprints, dents and broken windows.

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Accusations are already bubbling overwith some saying aso-called "parallel state" recruited young,inexperienced military troops to stage the military takeover because there was no appetite among army veterans. Most of the army officers lined up for arrest appeared to be in their early twenties.

Other fingers point at U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen as the architect of the coupattempt. Gulen has had a recent and very public falling out with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Panic ripped through the countryFridaynight as Turkish army officers shut down bridges, roads and the international airport.

Army officials took over state television studios and issued a statement indicating the government had been overthrown due to its anti-democratic policies.

Via a telephone call broadcast in Turkish media, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Turkish citizens to take to the streets to take back the country.

Shortly after Erdogan's call, imams in numerous city mosques called on citizens to flood the streets to protect the country. The call to prayer, which normally occurs five times a day, blared every five minutes.

'We don't know what is happening'

The calls were apparently heard loud and clear as thousands of women, men and children swarmed streets and bridgesmidnightFriday, waving Turkish flags while chanting, "Allah ahu Akhbar."

Thousands of families picnic on the shores of the Bosporus Strait during summer evenings. OnFriday, the deafening sounds of military jets flying low over the strait broke the reverie as men, women andchildren ran for cover.

"I don't know, my whole family is here, we are supposed to be safe, we don't know what is happening," said ule Altintas as she hustled her family toward their parked car on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Others tried to put out barbecueflameswhile trying to reach loved ones, as fear of tanks overtaking city streets spread.

"I am scared, I don't know what is happening? Is this a terrorist attack,"MuratDedeolusaidFridayas he watched the sky.

People feared the situation could quickly become volatile.

'I cannot believe this is real'

"This is not possible, I cannot believe this is real, I saw the coups, we are going to be destroyed again," said Ali Can as he moved quickly down a side street with his daughter and grandchildren.

But instead of streets clearing, they became congested as a citizen army took on the call of their president.

The cracks and booms of planes stopped just before sunrise as the government declared a victory for the people and for the principles of the country.

Smoke was seen billowing over the centreof the country's capitalSaturdaymorning.

Dion'very concerned'

Meanwhile Erdogan, who flew into Istanbul earlySaturday, addressed supporters that gathered outside of the country's international airport in Istanbul, saying that the people had won and thatthe perpetrators would be severely dealt with.

Turkey is no stranger to military coups, with the last one occurring in 1997.

Tens of thousands are still on the streetsSaturdaymorning.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Stphane Dionsaid on Twitterhe is "veryconcerned about reports from Turkey." At the same time, Global Affairs Canada also went on Twitter to offer assistance to Canadians that may be trapped in the country.