On July 15, 2016, Turkish statehood and democracy faced one of the toughest trials in their history. That night, a group of military officers attempted to illegally seize power, closing strategic bridges in Istanbul and launching airstrikes on parliament and state institutions in Ankara. The clashes resulted in 251 deaths and 2,737 injuries.
Exactly ten years later, international journalists from dozens of countries, including a correspondent from Gazeta, visited Turkey to commemorate the events and examine their current significance. The first part of the trip, organized by the Communications Directorate under the Presidential Administration, took place in Ankara, the political epicenter of the events.
On the evening of July 15, the main commemorative event titled '10th Anniversary of July 15: Our Will, Our Victory' was held in Ankara's square, attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan. Addressing international guests and locals, the head of state prayed for the 251 martyrs and thanked the 2,737 veterans wounded while resisting the putschists.
In his speech, Erdogan emphasized that the Turkish nation wrote a great history on the night of July 15, and that friends both domestically and abroad prayed for Turkey. A key political aspect of the address was the fight against the FETÖ terrorist organization. Erdogan stated that after the death of the organization's leader, their hopes and motivation faded, but this cannot be a reason for complacency.
A special briefing for media representatives was held at the Istanbul Governorate building with Governor Davut Gul. He informed about security measures, commemorative events, and the significance of the historical events in the city on the Day of Democracy and National Unity. Gul noted that Turkey has a centuries-old tradition of strong statehood and rule of law.
'Members of this organization infiltrated the most important state structures, including the police and intelligence, over 40 years through a system of indoctrination. Using religious and humanitarian ideas as a cover, they acted like a mafia and intelligence network,' Gul said. 'That night, regardless of political views, origin, or age, all citizens — from 17-18-year-olds to the elderly — united under one flag. Even while the parliament building was being bombed, opposition and government representatives stood together to defend democracy,' he added.
Source: www.gazeta.uz