In pics | Tanks firing, jets flying over as military stages coup in Turkey

Military in Turkey tried to overthrow Erdogan’s government on Friday night, setting off a clash for power and plunging the country into chaos.

A section of the army in Turkey tried to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government on Friday night, setting off a clash for power and plunging the country into chaos.

A man runs away as heavy explosion noise heard after jets flew over Taksim square in Istanbul. (AFP Photo)

Erdogan, in an interview with the CNN Turkey, dismissed the coup as “an attempt at an uprising by a minority within our armed forces”.

A night of explosions, air battles and gunfire across the capital have left at least 42 dead in Ankara and scores wounded.

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The crisis follows a series of bombings that have hit Turkey this year, including a suicide attack in June that killed 45 people at Istanbul’s main airport. The attacks have hurt international travel to the country.

Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square. (AP Photo)

A soldier aims his weapon on top of a tank during an attempted coup in Ankara. (REUTERS)

People on the streets in Ankara, Turkey during a protest against military coup. Turkish military forces opened fire on crowds gathered in Istanbul following a coup attempt. (AFP Photo)

Still frame shows a tank driving past people, in Ankara, Turkey. (Reuters Photo)

Read | Turkey on ‘fire’ after military attempts coup to overthrow Erdogan govt

Supporters of Turkish President Erdogan are dispersed with shots in the air by the military at the Taksim Square in Istanbul. (Reuters Photo)

A man stands in front of a Turkish army tank at Ataturk airport in Istanbul. (Reuters Photo)

A man helps an injured person during a protest against military coup attempt in Ankara, Turkey. (AFP Photo)

A man raises his hand in front of a military vehicles during an attempted coup in Ankara, Turkey. (REUTERS)

People take to streets in Ankara, Turkey during protests against a military coup attempt. (AFP Photo)

A man holds the shell of a bullet at Taksim square in Istanbul. (AFP Photo)

People take to streets near the Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridge during clashes with military forces in Istanbul. (AFP Photo)

Turkish army enters Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridge in Istanbul. Istanbul’s bridges across the Bosphorus, the strait separating the European and Asian sides of the city, have been closed to traffic. (AFP Photo)

People take cover near a bridge during an attempted coup in Istanbul. (REUTERS)

A group of approximately 50 young citizens of Turkey hold their national flag and shout slogans in support for President Recep Tayip Erdogan and his government, in Sarajevo. (AFP Photo)

Read | Attempted coup in Turkey runs live on social media, despite blockages