President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a defiant address to the Turkish parliament this Wednesday, marking the tenth anniversary of the defeated July 15 coup attempt. In his speech, the President declared that Türkiye’s courageous resistance successfully thwarted a treacherous scheme designed to impose an imperialist project upon the nation. He drew a direct historical parallel to the Turkish war of independence a century ago, asserting that the Grand National Assembly had once again demonstrated its unwavering resolve against those acting as proxies for foreign powers.
Saluting the lawmakers who stood their ground while under direct attack from coup forces, Erdogan stated, "A century after defeating occupiers, the veteran parliament again stood firm against imperialism's proxies on July 15." He opened the session with a solemn tribute to the victims of the failed uprising, offering prayers for the 253 martyrs who sacrificed their lives to defend the nation and homeland. He further commended the Turkish citizens for showing the world that they would never submit to a coup.
Erdogan directed sharp criticism toward the FETO terrorist organisation, which he identified as the primary architect of the attempt. He warned that, even a decade later, the threat remains active and dangerous. "Even after 10 years, those who failed on July 15 are still waiting for a chance to pursue their sinister aims," he cautioned. According to the President, FETO operatives continue to serve Türkiye’s enemies and are currently engaged in an information war, utilizing disinformation to manipulate public perception and undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant against a mentality that seeks to infiltrate institutions and exploit democracy to turn weapons against its own people.
Reflecting on the decade since the event, Erdogan framed the era as one of significant national progress. He credited the country's advancements in defense, the economy, security, and foreign policy directly to the removal of FETO's influence from state institutions. Concluding his address on a confident note, the President declared that the vision FETO once attempted to derail is now firmly on track. "Let there be no doubt: the Century of Türkiye, which FETO sought to obstruct, is now under way," he said, adding that no dark force would be able to stop it.
