Turkish intel agency 'warned army of coup plot'

By Ilhan Toprak and A. Eda Unlu Ozen

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s intelligence service warned the country's military hours before Friday’s coup attempt, according to an unnamed source Monday.

The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) received intelligence about the plot at 4 p.m. [1300GMT] on Friday, and MIT Undersecretary Hakan Fidan informed the Second Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, Yasar Guler, at 4:30 p.m., the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

According to the source developments on Friday unfolded as below:

5:30 p.m.: MIT Assistant Undersecretary visits the headquarters of the General Staff and gives Second Commander Yasar Guler detailed information about the coup plot.

6 p.m.: Undersecretary Fidan visits the headquarters to attend a confidential meeting with Guler, Chief of Staff Hulusi Akar plus Air Forces Commander Abidin Unal.

6:30 p.m.: Following the meeting, Akar orders national airspace to be closed to all flights; all military flights are banned, as are movements of troops and tanks. Akar also orders Land Forces Commander Salih Zeki Colak to inspect the Army Aviation School Command.

9 p.m.: The coup attempt, which was originally scheduled for 3 a.m. on Saturday, is brought forward to 9 p.m. after being revealed. Chief of Staff, Second Commander and Land Forces Commander are held hostage.

At least 208 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred in Istanbul and Ankara and nearly 1,500 others wounded as they protested against Friday’s attempted coup.

The government has said it was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through supporters within Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming the parallel state.

*Hale Turkes contributed to this report from Ankara.