Europe:
Scores of people have been killed in Turkey and
more than 1,400 wounded as a result of an
attempted coup overnight. But who was
responsible, what happened and why?
How did it start?
Bridges over the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul
were blocked by troops late evening local time
on Friday. Fighter jets and helicopters were seen
flying over the Turkish capital, Ankara, and
gunshots heard.
Soon after, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim
announced that an attempt to overthrow the
government was under way.
A faction of the army then said, via a state
broadcaster, that it had seized power to protect
democracy from President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan.
A curfew, martial law and the preparation of a
new constitution was announced. Mr Erdogan,
who was on holiday in a seaside resort town,
called on his supporters to take to the streets in
protest and returned to Istanbul.
Over the course of a violent night, TV stations
were raided by soldiers, explosions heard in
Istanbul and Ankara, protesters shot at, the
parliament and presidential buildings fired upon,
a military helicopter shot down and the Turkish
military chief taken hostage.
How did it end?
For the plot to succeed, the army faction
needed public support or wider military backing.
Neither materialised. Opposition parties also
condemned the coup.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, groups of
soldiers involved began to surrender. Troops
abandoned their tanks with their hands up.
Security forces also took back key installations
and bases, including the military headquarters.
By Saturday evening, some of the same places
that had seen such chaos the night before were
filled with jubilant supporters of Mr Erdogan.
Why did plot fail?
Who was responsible?
It remains unclear.
The government has blamed Fethullah Gulen , a
powerful, reclusive US-based Muslim cleric whom
it accuses of fomenting unrest. Mr Gulen denied
the claims and has condemned the coup.
Meanwhile, the government has arrested some
6,000 people, including high-ranking soldiers and
judges.
Some soldiers have claimed to have been told
they were taking part in military exercises and
did not know a coup was being attempted, media
reports say.
Who was behind the coup?
Why would they have done it?
The Turkish army has historically intervened in
politics as it sees itself as the protector of
Turkey's secularism and democracy - there have
been four military coups since 1960.
The military has had tensions with Mr Erdogan's
Justice and Development Party (AKP) over its
brand of political Islamism. The president has
also cracked down on free media and is seen as
an authoritarian by many people.
BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen also
suggests the war in neighbouring Syria and its
spill over effects on Turkey, including jihadist
attacks, may have been a factor.
What has the response been outside Turkey?
As events unfolded, international powers
appealed for calm and said Turkey's democratic
institutions must be respected.
Turkey is a leading Nato member, plays a key
role in the Syrian conflict, and for the EU is an
important partner in its attempts to solve the
migrant crisis, so any upheaval has major
consequences.
More international reaction
Is it still safe to travel to Turkey?
The US advises its citizens to reconsider
travelling at this time, while the UK Foreign
Office warns of a "potentially volatile" security
situation.
After heavy disruption, flights are returning to
normal. If you have travel plans involving Turkey,
check with your airline or tour operator. Source: BBC
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