Unsuccessful Military Coup in Turkey Friday July 15,2016

Turkish troops on  Friday July 15,2016 launched an unsuccessful military coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government

A statement from the Turkish military was read out on state TV, pictured, citing the growing terror threat as the reason for the coup

At least 60 were killed in the bloody uprising as Erdogan supporters clashed with the military rebels on Friday July 15,2016

The Turkish parliamentary building was bombed and both police and citizens were gunned down in the streets

More than 750 rebels have been detained after their failed military coup that killed at least 60 as Turkish President Erdogan vows revenge for the bloody uprising. 

Turkish soldiers, arrested by civilians, are handed to police officers in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey,  after the coup

The Turkish president warned that the members of the military behind the plot to oust him would pay a 'heavy price for their treason' as he blamed his rival Fethullah Gulen for orchestrating the uprising

Muslim cleric Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania as the head of a billion dollar religious movement, has often been the scapegoat for political unrest. 

As President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made his triumphant return back to Istanbul after his forces quelled the coup on Friday evening, he told the gathered masses as Ataturk Airport that those loyal to Gulen had 'penetrated the Armed Forces and the police, among other government agencies, over the past 40 years.'

'What is being perpetrated is a rebellion and a treason,' Mr. Erdogan said. 'They will pay a heavy price for their treason to Turkey.'

Up to 100 rebel soldiers surrendered on Bosphorus Bridge after their failed uprising. At least 120 connected have been arrested in connection with the dramatic coup which lasted approximately five hours. 

Explosions and gunfire erupted in Istanbul and Ankara on Friday night during the coup which killed at least 60 people - 17 of those police officers - in the army's bid to overthrow the Islamic government.

Elsewhere troops opened fire on civilians attempting to cross the river Bosporus in Istanbul in protest to the military coup, while a bomb has hit the parliament building according to the state's press agency as the security situation in the country becomes more perilous.

Colonel Muharrem Kose reportedly lead the Turkish military forces in the uprising

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Colonel Muharrem Kose had recently been kicked out of the army, from his position as head of the military's legal advisory department, over his links to Gulen. He was killed during the clashes with Erdogan's supporters

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is seen amid his supporters at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey on July 16 after his loyal forces successfully crushed the uprising

President Erdogan used 'FaceTime' to talk to a journalist on private run media to claim he was still in full control of the country

During the bizarre broadcast , Erdogan called on people to resist the military and ignore the military's curfew and take to the streets

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan sent a mass text message to Turkish mobile phones on Saturday imploring Turks to "stand up" for democracy and peace.

The message which came from "RT ERDOGAN" and was signed with his full name, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, also called on people to take to the streets against a "narrow cadre".

Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim described the coup as illegal and has vowed to retaliate 

HISTORY OF TURKISH COUPS: MILITARY HAS PREVIOUS HISTORY OF OVERTHROWING THE CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT 

The Turkish army regards itself as the protector of Turkish democracy, a philosophy made up of secular ideals created by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - the founder of the modern Turkish Republic.

There have been four major coups in the past 56 years with thousands killed as a result of military intervention and social and political unrest.

1960

The first coup took place in 1960 as political tension reached boiling point between the government, led by prime minister Adnan Menderes and president Celal Bayar, the opposing parties and the armed forces.

The administration began to re-open mosques and opened new religious schools as well as calling for people to pray in Arabic rather than Turkish. It also imposed new press laws banning critical articles in newspapers.

After periods of unrest Menderes was forced to employ martial law. The government was eventually toppled and the president, prime minister and several cabinet members were arrested. Menderes was later executed.

1971

While there was not a coup in 1971, events in this period would contribute to military intervention in nine years time.

Turkey had sunk into a recession, with their currency failing - causing protests in the streets with often violent demonstrations and attacks from right-wing organisations.

The military intervened and prime minister, Suleyman Demirel resigned with a right-wing temporary government put in place.

1980

The 1970s were a time of immense political and social unrest in Turkey with thousands being killed and 11 prime ministers taking control.

A military coup was announced on TV in September 1980 with the army establishing martial law.

The government was dissolved and naval officer Bulend Ulusu became prime minister for three year,s before he was succeeded by Turgut Ozal.

While there was a stability that came with the military rule but hundreds of thousands of people were executed, tortured or went missing during this period.

1997

After the Islamist Welfare Party took power in 1996 the armed forces suggested a series of policies that it urged the Government to take.

The following year it ensured changes including a headscarf ban at universities and an eight-year education programme to ensure that young people did not enrol at religious schools - were put in place.

Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan resigned and was slapped with a five-year ban from politics.