More details from the statement read out on the state broadcaster TRT at the behest of the military faction that seems to be behind the coup: It says that the freedom of Turkish citizens is guaranteed by what is referred to as a “peace council”, regardless of religion, race or language.

It says the Peace Council will not allow public order to be damaged.

It is worth remembering at this point that the Turkish government still claims to be in charge.

An EU source monitoring events has told Reuters that military forces have control of airports and strategic points in Istanbul.

Coup attempt 'is substantial' EU source claims

A coup attempt in Turkey involves a substantial part of the military and “not just a few colonels”, a European Union source said.

“It looks like a relatively well orchestrated coup by a substantial body of the military, not just a few colonels,” the source told Reuters.

“They’ve got control of the airports and are expecting control over the TV station imminently,” the source said, shortly before state television TRT broadcast a military declaration of martial law.

“They control several strategic points in Istanbul. Given the scale of the operation, it is difficult to imagine they will stop short of prevailing,” the source said.

Another European diplomat said he was attending a dinner with the Turkish ambassador in a European capital when they were interrupted by messages on their mobile phones.

“This is clearly not some tinpot little coup. The Turkish ambassador was clearly shocked and is taking it very seriously,” the diplomat told Reuters as the dinner party broke up.

The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that the coup is the work of a minority within the military.

Speaking to CNN Turk, he adds: “We will overcome this.”

In his first comments today, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tells CNN Turk, in a telephone interview, that this is an act encouraged by a "parallel structure". He says the coup attempt will be given the "necessary response" and calls on Turkish people to go out on the streets.