Entire world woke up with shock to know that a coup attempt has been foiled in Turkey in the early hours of Saturday. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had been holidaying when the coup was launched and he flew to Istanbul before dawn on Saturday.
More than 40 people have been killed in clashes in Ankara as PM announced that more than 130 soldiers involved in coup were arrested. Capital Ankara and main city Istanbul witnessed gun fire and explosions as soldiers taken positions and ordered state television to read out a statement declaring they had taken power.
But situation changed as many soldiers involved in coup surrendered their weapons after being surrounded by armed police in Istanbul's central Taksim square. Crowd came out on streets in response to President Tayyip Erdogan's call to take to the streets to support him.
Many wonder why is Turkey is witnessing military uprising. Turky since 1960 witnessed three military coups and the following are the reasons. Analysts say diminishing democracy, religious tilt of Turkish government, Ergodan's tense relation with US,Erdogan's challenge to Armyand push for change in constitution.
Democracy diminished right after Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party (abbreviation of Turkish initials of Justice and Development Party) who came to power in 2002, a year after the formation of the AK Party. He tried to centralise power round him and curtailed freedom of expression.
Erdogan turned Turkey blatantly towards Islamism. Many pro Islamic laws were passed to wipe out the secular fabric. Erdogan unlike earlier regimes had strained relationships with US President Obama and also other western countries.
Many times he challenged army by placing several officers on trial since he assumed office. He tried to rewrite Constitution to create US style presidency in Turkey, which eroded his support base.
