2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt facts for kids
On July 15, 2016, something big happened in Turkey. A group of people, mostly from the Turkish army, tried to take control of the government. This kind of attempt to suddenly take power is called a coup d'état. They did this because they disagreed with how the president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was leading the country.
During this event, over 100 people sadly lost their lives, and more than 1,000 were hurt. Many soldiers were arrested because they were part of this attempt to take over. Hundreds of others left Turkey and went to countries like Greece. After the attempt, thousands of government workers, including teachers and judges, lost their jobs in what were called the 2016 Turkish purges. This was a time when many people were removed from their positions.
Contents
What Was the Coup Attempt?
A coup d'état is when a small group, often from the military, tries to quickly and illegally take power from the current government. In Turkey, on July 15, 2016, a part of the army tried to do this. They wanted to change who was in charge.
Why Did It Happen?
The soldiers who tried to take over were unhappy with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his government. They believed the country was not being run well. They wanted to make big changes to how Turkey was governed.
How Did It Unfold?
On the night of July 15, parts of the army blocked bridges in Istanbul and sent tanks into the streets. They also tried to take control of important buildings like the parliament in Ankara. There were reports of gunfire and explosions in both cities. The president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was on vacation but quickly returned to Turkey. He urged people to go out and resist the soldiers.
People Resisted the Attempt
Many ordinary people in Turkey went into the streets to stop the soldiers. They stood in front of tanks and gathered in public squares. This public resistance, along with loyal parts of the army and police, helped to stop the coup attempt. The government quickly regained control.
Aftermath and Consequences
After the coup attempt failed, the Turkish government took strong actions. They wanted to make sure such an event would not happen again.
Arrests and Firings
Thousands of soldiers, including high-ranking officers, were arrested. They were accused of being involved in the coup attempt. Many judges, teachers, and other government employees were also fired from their jobs. This was part of the 2016 Turkish purges. The government said these people were connected to the group they believed was behind the coup.
Impact on Turkey
The coup attempt and its aftermath had a big impact on Turkey. It changed the country's politics and how it was seen by other nations. The government became stronger, and there were many discussions about democracy and human rights in Turkey.
International Reactions
Many countries around the world, including the United States and countries in Europe, condemned the coup attempt. They supported the democratically elected government of Turkey. However, some countries also expressed concerns about the large number of arrests and firings that happened afterward.
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Images for kids
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The team, consisting of Turkish SAT Commandos and Combat Search and Rescue (MAK) troops, attacked the hotel where President Erdoğan stayed.
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When Terzi was an officer at the Turkish Armed Forces, c. 2014
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General Akın Öztürk, former Commander of the Turkish Air Force, was reported as being the leader of the coup attempt.
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Commander of air base Brig. Gen Bekir Ercan Van sought asylum to U.S.
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See also
In Spanish: Intento de golpe de Estado de Turquía de 2016 para niños
