There are unconfirmed reports that a military coup has taken place in the capital of Papua New Guinea.

Australian Broadcasting Corp. News in Australia is reporting that soldiers loyal to ousted former prime minister Sir Michael Somare have staged a bloodless mutiny.

ABC said that early Thursday morning, about a dozen soldiers are believed to have raided the defense force headquarters and placed the head of the army, Brigadier General Francis Agwi, under house arrest.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warned Australians to limit their travel in the capital, due to what it described as "disturbances" at two barracks.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill had yet to comment on the situation, his office told The Associated Press.

A reporter at the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier newspaper told the AP that the newspaper is still trying to figure out exactly what has taken place.

There has been a power struggle going on for months in Papua New Guinea between Somare and O'Neill. The Supreme Court has backed 76-year-old Somare, who it has ruled was illegally removed as prime minister while getting medical treatment outside the country. But lawmakers loyal to O'Neill have passed retroactive legislation recognizing him as leader.

Source: The Associated Press