Newly appointed acting chief of Turkish general staff reports 194 killed in coup, - AP

Turkey's president declared he is in control of the country early Saturday as loyal military and police forces quashed a coup attempt during a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire that left dozens dead.

Newly appointed acting Chief of the General staff Gen. Umit Dundar said, Censor.NET reports citing Associated Press.

According to the official, more than 190 people died in clashes: 41 police officers, two soldiers, 47 civilians and 104 people described as "coup plotters."

Dundar said officers from the Air Force, the military police and the armored units were mainly involved in the attempt.

More than 1,500 military personnel were arrested across the country, said a senior official who was not authorized to speak to the media. The state-run Anadolu news agency said more than 1,100 were wounded. Colonels and generals implicated in the rebellion were fired and loyal troops rescued the military chief who had been taken hostage at an air base on the outskirts of Ankara.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who flew home early Saturday, said coup supporters "will pay a heavy price for their treason to Turkey."

Fighting continued into the early morning, with the sounds of huge blasts echoing across Istanbul and the capital, Ankara, including at least one bomb that hit the parliament complex. Television footage showed images of broken glass and other debris strewn across a lobby leading to the assembly hall.

CNN-Turk said two bombs hit near the presidential palace, killing five people and wounding a number of others.

Government officials, who blamed the unrest on a U.S.-based Islamist cleric, said the coup failed as Turks took to the streets overnight to confront troops attempting to take over the country.

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