July 15 is an important day in Turkish history because, on this day in 2016, people took to the streets in large numbers to thwart the coup attempt and save democracy
*Fahrettin Altun
July 15 is of great significance for Türkiye, as a coup attempt was made in 2016 to overthrow a democratically elected government. On the night of July 15, 2016, the coup attempt, orchestrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), began with the blockade of bridges in Istanbul and the deployment of tanks on the streets.
It is the day the people came out in large numbers to save democracy and put an end to the undemocratic methods of overthrowing democratically elected governments.
Many state institutions and organizations, notably the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the Presidential Complex, and the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Police, were bombed. It soon became clear that the incident was not isolated but a coordinated action.
FETO’s coup units organized an attack aimed at assassinating President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Responding to the president’s call broadcast on national television, people took to the streets to defend their democracy. Throughout the night, millions of citizens fought against the coup plotters.
The Turkish Armed Forces, the Turkish National Police, and the nation’s steadfast commitment to democracy suppressed the treacherous coup attempt on the morning of July 16 and apprehended its plotters.
On the night of July 15, heroes like Martyr Ömer Halisdemir, who resisted at the cost of his life to defend the Special Forces Command and neutralized the general who was part of the coup’s brain trust, stood as barriers against the coup plotters.
Our citizens managed to neutralize the coup plotters who intended to take their lives on the blocked Bosphorus Bridge, at the risk of becoming martyrs. This event is one of the historic moments when the unity and determination of our nation were tested.
From the initial moments of the coup attempt, the Turkish government took action to restore order and bring the perpetrators to justice. In statements made by our President and state officials during this process, it was revealed that the coup attempt was carried out by an illegal group that had infiltrated the Turkish Armed Forces outside the control of the command staff.
It is now certain that FETO was behind the coup attempt. It was revealed that the organization’s ringleader, who resides in the United States, carried out this treacherous act through his parallel organization within the state. The victory was hailed as one of the noblest resistances not just in Türkiye but also in the history of democracy worldwide.
Türkiye, which continues its struggle today, expects solidarity from friendly and allied countries, especially in the extradition of FETO fugitives and ringleaders who have fled abroad. While many countries in the international community have expressed solidarity and support for Türkiye, some of our partner’s responses to the coup attempt have been inadequate.
Türkiye was also dissatisfied with how the coup attempt was reported in these countries’ media. Internationally responsible Western media outlets attempted to simplify the events of July 15, reporting the bloody coup attempt against our country’s democracy using the awful phrase “a fight between two factions.”
Despite several attempts to extradite the ringleader of the organization based in Pennsylvania after the terrible coup attempt on July 15, no constructive response has been obtained from our partner, the United States. This attitude, in reaction to a threat to our democracy, has upset us.
We are aware that FETO continues to operate in many different geographies, including allied countries. We will continue to battle this terrorist organization in all areas, as it endangers the security of not only Türkiye but also all of the countries in which it operates. As a country that has further strengthened its democratic institutions after the treacherous coup attempt, we will continue our fight against the terrorist organization, which aims at the lives of our citizens and the independence of our country in every field.
We will continue to honour the memories of our citizens who died on that terrible night by preserving Türkiye’s freedom and future.
*The writer is the Director of the Directorate of Communications of the Republic of Türkiye.
