Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has characterized the failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016, as a cornerstone of the nation's modern history. In an article titled "July 15: The Declaration of Independence of the Türkiye Century," released to observe the 10th anniversary of Democracy and National Unity Day, Erdogan described the event as a "declaration of independence" for the country.
The President noted that the attempted overthrow, orchestrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO), represented a direct assault on Türkiye’s democratic will and national sovereignty. According to Erdogan, the night was a historic victory for democracy, achieved as citizens defended their independence at the cost of their own lives. He recalled that 253 people were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded while resisting the coup, responding to his call to take to the streets with the same resolve that defined the country's War of Independence.
Reflecting on the past decade, Erdogan stated that the state has conducted an uncompromising campaign to remove FETO from all sectors of society, including the military, bureaucracy, judiciary, and the business community. He emphasized that while significant progress has been made, the struggle against such clandestine organizations remains active. "The only way to prevent FETO and similar clandestine organisations from infiltrating our state and nation again is to keep the spirit of July 15 alive and pass this awareness on to future generations," he wrote.
Erdogan asserted that on this 10th anniversary, Türkiye stands as a more united, resolute, and stronger nation. He concluded his message by paying tribute to those who lost their lives during the resistance and expressed his commitment to maintaining the country's unity and solidarity against any future threats or global interference.
