Zimbabwe news: Will the coup cause a world crisis and war? What happens next?
ZIMBABWE'S military took control and put Robert Mugabe under house arrest last night, sparking fears of imminent war and conflict on the horizon.
Zimbabwe army makes address on state TV
Gunshots and explosions echoed through the capital Harare as army tanks rolled in on Tuesday night. The military described the apparent coup as a "bloodless" takeover of power.
Army officials have confirmed that the 93-year-old President Mugabe is "safe and sound” amid speculation that he could be preparing to step down.
Major General SB Moyo, chief of staff logistics, said on television: "We are only targeting criminals around Mugabe who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice.
"As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy."
The atmosphere in Harare remained tense today with army units blocking off roads and urging people to stay in their homes.
The military has called for the full cooperation of Zimbabwe's security forces "for the good of the country” and is threatening an "appropriate response" to any provocations.
With the tensions rising and growing fears that war could break out in Zimbabwe, major world powers have called for a peaceful resolution.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: “I think we are really appealing for everybody to refrain from violence.”
READ MORE: ZIMBABWE COUP LATEST UPDATES
Labour’s shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has said a "descent into violence, recrimination and reprisals” must be avoided at all costs.
Tensions flared in Zimbabwe last week when President Mugabe sacked vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a power struggle over his succession.
The step paved the way for his wife, Grace Mugabe, to take over power one day by forcing Mr Mnangagwa into political exile.
But the first lady is considered a polarising figure in Zimbabwe and she is now reported to have fled to the neighbouring Namibia.
READ MORE: WHO IS GRACE MUGABE?
Professor David Moore, speaking from Johannesburg, said he did not believe Mugabe would be deposed. He told Al Jazeera: "It's an inside-the-party coup. The president has not been deposed.”
We are only targeting criminals around Mugabe who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering
If Mr Mugabe is forced to step down after his controversial long reign, an interim government could be put in place and elections called.
Jane Morley, Zimbabwe analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit, said: “The situation in Zimbabwe remains highly fluid following the military takeover on November 14th.
“There are suggestions that the incumbent, Robert Mugabe, will resign, after which an interim government will take over, and elections held.
READ MORE: WHO IS ROBERT MUGABE?
“However, it is far from clear that any such polls would be free and fair. A managed election process would in all likelihood lead to the victory of former vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa, the army's favoured candidate."
Ms Morley said that regional groups such as the Southern African Development Community are "unlikely to accept a military coup in Zimbabwe.”
She added: “Even if the military returns to barracks (as it has pledged to do), and elections lead to a Mnangagwa presidency, the army will still have played a key role in determining who leads the country.”
Chris Mutsvangwa, a leader of Zimbabwe's war veterans, told Reuters: "This is a correction of a state that was careening off the cliff.
READ MORE: WHO WILL REPLACE ROBERT MUGABE?
"It's the end of a very painful and sad chapter in the history of a young nation, in which a dictator, as he became old, surrendered his court to a gang of thieves around his wife."
Members of Zimbabwe's ruling party Zanu-PF, have meanwhile suggested that the coup leaders do not have the full backing of the military.
Kudzai Chipanga, of the party's youth wing, warned: "We will not sit and fold hands while threats are made against a legitimately-elected government."
Zanu-PF have been strong supporters of Grace Mugabe standing in as the presidential successor for her husband.