Turkish army ‘fully seizes control of running country’

An army group in Turkey says it has taken control of the country, with bridges closed in Istanbul and aircraft flying low over the capital Ankara.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim earlier denounced an “illegal action” by a military “group”, stressing it was not a coup and insisting that the government remained in charge.

The Turkish military released a statement last night saying armed forces had “fully seized control” of running the country.