PEOPLE from Donegal planning holidays in Turkey have been advised tonight to delay travel plans after a military coup in the country.
Department of Foreign Affairs has updated the travel advisory for Irish citizens travelling to Turkey at this time.
“We are advising Irish citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Turkey at this time,” said a spokesman.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and our embassy in Ankara are monitoring the evolving situation in Ankara and Istanbul where a heightened security presence and some incidents of violence are reported.
“The situation is unclear, and Irish citizens considering travel to Turkey are advised to delay travel until the situation becomes clearer.”
Donegal people in Turkey now are being advised to stay in their hotel complexes.
An army group in Turkey says it has taken over the country, with soldiers at strategic points in Istanbul and jets flying low in the capital, Ankara. There are reports a higher pilot has shot down a helicopter of a rival faction
A statement read on TV said a “peace council” now ran the country and there was a curfew and martial law.
It is unclear who the group is or its level of support. Some top army officials are said to be detained.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would overcome what he called an uprising by a minority.
He told CNN Turk by mobile phone the action was by a “parallel structure” that would bring the necessary response. He has used this term in the past to refer to Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Muslim cleric he accuses of fomenting unrest.
Mr Erdogan called on people to take to the streets to oppose the uprising.
He said: “I urge the Turkish people to convene at public squares and airports. I never believed in a power higher than the power of the people.”
Mr Erdogan said he was on his way to Ankara and those involved in the action would pay a heavy price. His office said he was in a secure location.
Reports earlier on Friday said the president was on vacation in the south-western resort of Marmaris.
Tags:
