Turkish people take to streets to protest coup attempt

ANKARA 

Turkish people took the streets across Turkey to protest against an attempted military coup in Istanbul and Ankara.

Speaking via video chat feature from a cellphone, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “I am calling on our nation. Go to the squares, let us give them the best answer.” 

Throngs gathered in public squares and streets to protest the military uprising in Ankara, Istanbul, Diyarbakir, Edirne, Denizli, Kayseri, Samsun, Hatay, Yalova, Manisa, Erzurum, Izmir, Zonguldak, Malatya, Eskisehir, Sanliurfa, Adana, Sakarya, Kirikkale, Nevsehir, Sivas and several other provinces. 

People chanted slogans as "No coup" and "Soldier to soldier against terror".

In Ankara, people gathered in Kizilay Square located in the city center and tried to stop tanks by throwing stones and sticks.

In the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, people gathered at the AK Party's provincial office to show their support for the president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 

In Kayseri, people gathered in front of the Kayseri Governor's Office to show their response to the military uprising by waving Turkish flags.

People chanted slogans in Kayseri as "We are all soldiers, we are all police". 

Some streets were closed to the traffic and police took security measures in the province. Adhans, or Islamic calls to prayer, are recited in a lot of mosques in Istanbul, Ankara, and some other provinces.

Meanwhile, Turks in US will reportedly hold a protest in front of FETO/PDY terrorist group leader Fetullah Gulen's mansion in Pennsylvania.

U.S. based Muslim groups will also support the protest, AA correspondent learns.

There were protests held in Washington DC and New York Times Square right after the failed coup attempt was taken under control.

Erdogan slammed Gulen, who is accused of leading a terrorist organization and attempting to infiltrate and overthrow the democratically-elected government.

“It is enough the betrayal you have done to this nation,” Erdogan said, without mentioning Gulen’s name, and calling on him to return to Turkey to face trial.

At least 90 people were martyred and more than 1,000 others injured during the coup attempt.