The name of victory is Turkiye — Remembering July 15

Kuwait Times

a day ago

The name of victory is Turkiye — Remembering July 15
By Tuba Nur Sonmez
Nine years ago, on the night of July 15, 2016, the people of Türkiye witnessed a betrayal that tested not only the strength of their institutions but the very soul of their nation. It was a night when tanks blocked roads, helicopters rained bullets on civilians, and the Parliament was bombed by heinous elements from within the military. But it was also a night that gave birth to one of the most extraordinary moments of collective courage and unity in modern Turkish history.
The attempted coup was orchestrated by members of the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO), a clandestine network that had operated for decades under the guise of religious devotion and educational service. Led by Fetullah Gulen, a cleric residing in the United States, FETO systematically infiltrated key institutions of the Turkish state—including the military, judiciary, police, and civil service—through unlawful methods such as exam fraud, blackmail, and covert loyalty structures. Exploiting the trust of devout citizens, the organization disguised itself as a benevolent religious movement, gaining influence particularly among youth through schools, exam preparation centers, societal meetings, and various other mechanisms. Behind this outward image, however, lay a sinister agenda. But on the night of July 15, their intentions and ambitions were buried by the people's will.
What occurred on July 15 was not just a military mutiny. It was a carefully planned internal assault on the democratic order, executed with precision and malice. Fighter jets bombed strategic buildings in Ankara. Armed soldiers opened fire on civilians standing in protest. An attempt was made to assassinate the President. Media outlets were raided to silence free press. The aim was clear: to replace the rule of law with the rule of a cult. To this day, many in Turkiye—especially in Ankara and Istanbul—remember the sound of plotter jets overhead, recognizing it as the sound of betrayal. And yet, what was meant to paralyze the nation resulted in just the opposite.
With no hesitation and with no weapons in hand, millions of ordinary citizens filled the streets in cities and towns across the country. They defied curfews and the gunfire of the usurpers. They stood in front of tanks and reclaimed their sovereignty. Across ideological and political lines, the people of Türkiye stood united in their defense of democracy. That unity became the most powerful weapon against the plotters. By morning, it was clear that the coup had failed, but at a heavy cost—252 lives lost, over 2,200 injured, buildings destroyed.
Yet Türkiye did not descend into chaos. The state responded swiftly and within legal bounds. A long-overdue reckoning with FETO began, and those responsible were brought to justice. The group's networks in education, media, and finance were dismantled, while public institutions were reformed to restore transparency. Compromised security structures were restructured to align with national interests. In the years since the coup attempt, Türkiye has made significant strides in consolidating political stability, reducing foreign dependency, and adopting a more assertive and self-reliant foreign policy. The trauma of July 15 catalyzed a shift not only in governance, but also in public consciousness. Citizens today are more aware of the importance of civic responsibility, of remaining vigilant against anti-democratic threats such as this vile coup attempt.
It is important for the international community to understand the nature of what transpired on that night. FETO is not merely a Turkish issue. It is a transnational threat that operates through soft power tactics—schools, NGOs, media networks—and exploits the very democratic freedoms it seeks to destroy. Just as terrorism takes many forms, so too must democratic societies be alert to non-traditional, covert threats that seek to undermine them from within.
Every year on July 15, Türkiye marks Democracy and National Unity Day—a time not only to remember the lives lost, but also to reflect on the strength of its democratic will. That night reminded the nation that democracy is not merely a system of institutions, but a living commitment between state and citizen. It can be attacked, but when defended with unity and resolve, it can endure and grow stronger. The memory of that night remains vivid, not only as a moment of sorrow but as a symbol of collective courage. Ordinary people did not wait to be protected by democracy; they rose to protect it themselves. Faced with a choice between oppression and freedom, the nation chose democracy. Nine years on, Türkiye stands stronger. The spirit of July 15 is not something of the past, as long as that spirit lives, no darkness will be strong enough to cast shadows to Turkish people's will. We can say proudly that 'The Name of Victory is Türkiye.'
We remember our martyrs with gratitude, and honor our veterans with pride. May Allah preserve our unity, protect our democracy, and keep our nation strong.
Note: Tuba Nur Sonmez is Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Kuwait