Clashes between pro-government Turkish forces, especially police, and those who attempted a coup against the government are ongoing in many cities in the country, including the capital Ankara and Istanbul. Almost 90 people have lost their lives in the sudden military coup that unfolded in Turkey on Friday (15 July) night. The Turkish police chief is reported to have said that clashes are "about to come to an end" as the military Chief-of-Staff General Hulusi Akar, who was untraceable since the coup began, was rescued in an operation at an air base, the state-run news agency Anadolu has reported. The military chief was apparently being held as a hostage by the coup plotters.
Media reports suggest that the number of military officers detained, who were part of the coup, has gone up to 1,563. Earlier, the state-run news agency reported that 754 soldiers were detained for allegedly participating in the attempted coup.
News agencies have reported that five army generals and 29 colonels have been suspended by Turkey's Interior Ministry following the attempted coup, while a group of 60 rebel soldiers were reported to have surrendered to police.
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Soilders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge on July 16, 2016 in Instabul, TurkeyGokhan Tan/Getty Images
An injured man lies on the ground during a protest against military coup in Ankara, Turkey on Friday 16 July 2016 ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
People are seen on the streets in Ankara, Turkey during a protest against a military coup that unfolded in the country on 16 July 2016ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said in a live speech from Istanbul that the army must be cleansed. He termed the coup as an act of "treason". Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the coup was unsuccessful despite a Turkish military group claiming they had seized power in Ankara.
People are seen protesting on the streets in Ankara, Turkey against a military coup. Turkish military forces on 16 July opened fire on crowds gathered in Istanbul following a coup attempt, causing casualties, an AFP photographer saidADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
A woman is seen lying on the ground on 16 July 2016 in Ankara, Turkey. Istanbul's bridges across the Bosphorus, the strait separating the European and Asian sides of the city, had been closed to trafficGokhan Sahin/Getty Images
People react after they take over a military position on the Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul on 16 July 2016BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
A man falls as shots are fired in Ankara, Turkey on 16 July 2016 Reuters/Tumay Berkin
Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan sit atop an armored vehicle decorated with Erdogan's portraits in Ankara, Turkey on 16 July 2016Reuters/Tumay Berkin
A police armoured vehicle uses a water cannon to disperse anti-government forces on Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, on 16 July 2016Reuters/Murad Sezer
A helicopter hovers near the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, TurkeyREUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir
Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan cheer at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey on 16 July 2016REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir
People gather on top of a Turkish military tank early in the morning on 16 July 2016 in Ankara, TurkeyGokhan Sahin/Getty Images
A Turkish police officer talks on a phone during clashes in Istanbul as 60 people were reported to have been killed in clashes between pro-government forces and the coup plotters Getty Images
People run away on the Bosphorus bridge during clashes in Istanbul Getty Images
Palestinian supporters of the Hamas movement hold portraits of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as they shout slogans against the military coup attempt in Turkey, during a demonstration in Gaza CityGetty Images
Turkey's MP's react to the attacks through the night at the Turkish parliamentGetty Images
