Failed Coup

Turkey’s government reasserted control Saturday with a wave of mass arrests after a failed coup left more than 250 people dead, in fast-moving developments that may result in more power being concentrated in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s hands.

Military commanders loyal to the government finished mopping up the remaining rebels at armed forces headquarters in Ankara on Saturday afternoon, the state-run Anadolu news agency said. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on television that more than 2,800 members of the military had been detained as part of an investigation into the coup attempt.

Parliament, which lawmakers refused to leave overnight as it was bombarded, convened an extraordinary session, saying in a resolution that any coup attempt would face its iron will.

Saturday evening, thousands answered calls by Messrs. Erdogan and Yildirim to show their support for the government by again taking to the streets in public rallies, including in Istanbul’s central Taksim Square.
The identities of those in charge of the takeover attempt, or how many remained alive, remained unclear, though details on some who allegedly took part began to emerge. At least 104 alleged coup plotters were killed in security operations, according to Turkish officials, while 161 others—including civilians, police and troops—died in events related to the coup.