A group within the Turkish military says it has seized control of the government to restore the secularism that had been the country's hallmark throughout the past 100 years.  President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is rushing back to the capital to restore his rule.  Basically, if you're planning to go to Turkey:  Don't.

An internet monitoring group called "Turkey Blocks" says it was difficult or impossible to access social media services in Turkey.  The Turkish state broadcaster TRT has now gone off air.  The main airport in Istanbul has cancelled all flights in and out leaving many planes circling, and tanks have been moved into the main traffic areas.  Troops have also blocked both main bridges over the Bosphorus Strait, linking Europe and Asia - gunfire is reported in both locations, as well as at the Interior Ministry.  Military aircraft have buzzed the capital.

In Istanbul, there is reportedly some commotion in Taksim Square, where will might recall pro-democracy protests were repeatedly put down by Erdogan who ordered police to use the most violent measures against its own citizens.  Stores and restaurants were closing in the vibrant international city, people were rushing to withdraw money from ATMs, and journalists report a general sense of apprehension.

The military faction that seems to be behind the coup put out a statement guaranteeing the freedom of Turkish citizens, regardless of religion, race or language - which would seem to be a swipe at Erdogan's oppression of the Kurdish minority in the southeast.  It also announced the formation of a "Peace Council" that it says will not allow public order to be damaged.

Erdogan is reportedly in a southern resort and away from the capital Ankara.  He has urged his supporters to come out into the streets, in defiance of the curfew declared by the apparent coup authorities.  Ironically, the president who likes to shut down the internet and restrict access to it used an app called "Face Time" to address his followers.

A source close to President Erdogan has made the rather astounding claim, "This is a coup attempt by the Gulen movement, at which several known Gulenists hinted in recent months.  The perpetrators have violated the chain in command."  This refers to followers of  conservative Muslim cleric Fethullah Gullen, who was once an ally of Erdogan but who fled to the United States after a falling out.  But the claim doesn't line up with the statements from the military faction apparently trying to take control of the government, which is talking about resotring secularism.  In the past, Erdogan has reacted to whatever crisis was at hand - suicide bombings, dissent in police ranks - and blamed it on whichever internal enemy has a burr under his saddle at the moment, regardless of evidence.