President Recep Tayyip Erdogan led the nation on Tuesday in commemorating the ninth anniversary of the failed July 15, 2016, coup attempt, reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to democracy, unity, and national resilience.
Speaking during the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day commemoration at the country’s Parliament in Ankara, President Erdogan paid tribute to the over 250 martyrs and more than 2,000 others who were wounded during the coup attempt, describing their sacrifice as the foundation of a new era for the country.
“The struggles of our martyrs and veterans have never been in vain, and they will never be,” he stated. “A terror-free Turkey, which we are building step by step, will be their legacy.”
Erdogan praised the heroic resistance of ordinary citizens who defied tanks and gunfire to defend their democracy, calling the events of that night a turning point in Turkish history.
“We prevailed that night against those who sold their souls. The trap of the FETÖ leader was shattered by the courageous stance of our nation,” he declared.
“The dirty swamp into which they tried to drag our country was drained forever that night. Our nation also repelled an invasion attempt. The test we passed with honour on the night of July 15th was one of the most critical turning points in our history,” he added.
He noted that the coup attempt, which saw the bombing of Parliament and an attempt on his own life, was not only an assault on elected leadership but part of a broader scheme to destabilize the nation. The President emphasized that July 15 was both a victory over betrayal and a reaffirmation of the Turkish people’s unwavering will.
“Our country will flourish in every field, and a brand-new era will begin. A terror-free Turkey will unlock the path to a terror-free region,” Erdogan announced.
“We recognized those who rushed to the squares and those who rushed to the ATMs, those who resisted the putschists and those who lay in wait to see who would win,” he stated, adding that “All of these have taken their place in our nation’s memory, to be remembered with shame.”
The President concluded his address with a call to uphold the spirit of national unity that characterized the people’s response to the attempted coup.
“Those who defended the national will under this noble roof have been engraved in golden letters in the hearts of the nation,” he said.
Commemorative events took place in Ankara at the Grand National Assembly, the July 15 Democracy Museum, and other key locations. In Istanbul, memorials were also lined up at the July 15 Memory Museum and the Governorship. Journalists from around the world were invited to witness the day of remembrance.
