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.