WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – An attempt by members of the Turkish military to overthrow their government left at least 161 people dead Saturday morning. Gunfire and explosions rocked Turkey’s capital of Ankara and the main city of Istanbul Friday night into Saturday morning. A faction of the Turkish military launched the coup using helicopters and tanks. At 11:25 p.m. local time, the Turkish military issued a statement saying they had taken control of the country and imposed martial law. Turkey’s president, Recep Erdogan had been on vacation when the coup was launched. He called upon citizens to go to the streets to fight for democracy.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Turkish Americans in the Miami Valley came together Saturday to speak out against the failed military coup. Turkish Americans meeting in Dayton say they want peace restored in their county. And they want to know that anyone involved in the coup, will be held responsible. “We need unity among our community,” Turkish American Community Center President Islom Shakhbandarov said. “We need solidarity among our community.

US-Turkish tensions have grown after government forces put down an attempted coup on Friday night. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused exiled Turkish businessman and cleric Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating the violence and is demanding that the US extradite him. Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania, denied any involvement and condemned the coup attempt.

By Brandon Turbeville - mintpressnews.com - Protesters hold a giant Turkish flag as they gather in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Monday, July 18, 2016. Turkey's Interior Ministry has fired nearly 9,000 police officers, bureaucrats and others and detained thousands of suspected plotters following a foiled coup against the government, Turkey's state-run news agency reported Monday. Protesters hold a giant Turkish flag as they gather in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Monday, July 18, 2016. Turkey’s Interior Ministry has fired nearly 9,000 police officers, bureaucrats and others and detained thousands of suspected plotters following a foiled coup against the government, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported Monday.