Türkiye solemnly commemorated the 9th anniversary of the thwarted coup attempt of July 15, 2016, with ceremonies held both at home and abroad, honoring the martyrs and celebrating national unity.
As part of these observances, a special event was held at the residence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
His Excellency Semih Lütfü Turgut, the Turkish Ambassador, hosted 45 Advanced Level students from C/ Hameed Al Husseinie College, along with their teachers and the school principal. The gathering aimed to share the powerful story of Türkiye’s democratic resilience and the nation’s unwavering solidarity in the face of a grave threat.
Addressing the audience, Ambassador Turgut presented visual materials highlighting the severity of the coup attempt and the acts of terrorism that Türkiye successfully repelled. He detailed how a faction aligned with the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and its U.S.-based leader sought to overthrow the democratically elected government with the help of a misguided few.
The Ambassador emphasized the pivotal role played by the Turkish people, whose loyalty and determination were instrumental in defending democracy. He explained that July 15 has been observed annually as “Democracy and National Unity Day” since October 2016, in recognition of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the nation’s courageous stance.
The coup attempt, orchestrated by FETÖ, claimed the lives of more than 250 people and left thousands injured. That night, rogue elements within the Turkish Armed Forces seized key institutions, including the state broadcaster, military command centers, and government buildings. Tanks blocked major roads in Istanbul, and airstrikes targeted the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the Presidential Complex, police headquarters, and intelligence services.
Despite the chaos, the Turkish people rose in defiance, flooding the streets to protect their democracy. Their courage sent a powerful message to the world—that the will of the people cannot be subverted.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly warned of the threat posed by FETÖ, describing it as a “bloody terrorist group” that masks its true intentions under the guise of social or educational initiatives. Over time, international awareness of FETÖ’s insidious aims has grown.
Following Türkiye’s extensive diplomatic efforts, FETÖ has been recognized as a terrorist organization by several countries and international bodies. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation formally designated FETÖ as such in October 2016, followed by similar rulings from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2018. Notably, the group was officially listed as a terror organization in NATO records for the first time during the leaders’ summit in Madrid in June 2022.
Türkiye continues to commemorate July 15 with national and international events, reaffirming its commitment to democratic values and paying tribute to the resilience of its people.
