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Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
The name of victory is Turkiye — Remembering July 15
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
Kuwait Times
27-05-2025
- Kuwait Times
Embassy celebrates Turkish Cuisine Week
Turkish ambassador Tuba Nur Sonmez KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey to Kuwait hosted a reception on Sunday at Kuwait Marina Hotel, in collaboration with the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, to celebrate the annual Turkish Cuisine Week. In her opening remarks, Turkish Ambassador Tuba Nur Sonmez emphasized Turkish cuisine's unique place among world cuisines, highlighting its deep-rooted history, health-conscious nature and sustainable qualities. The ambassador underlined the shared values of hospitality and culinary appreciation between Turkey and Kuwait, expressing her belief that such events further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cultural ties between the two nations. The event featured a presentation on the historical development of Turkish culinary culture, its regional diversity, and traditional cooking techniques. Guests had the opportunity to taste a wide array of meticulously prepared Turkish dishes, desserts, and beverages at various tasting stations. They also received information about the recipes and preparation methods of the dishes served. The Turkish ambassador poses for a group photo with Ambassadors and officials. Additionally, a special exhibition showcasing visuals and recipes from Turkish cuisine was presented to visitors, offering a deeper insight into Turkey's rich culinary heritage. A traditional Turkish folk dance performance by students from the Kuwait Turkish School was among the highlights of the evening, drawing great interest and appreciation from the audience. At the conclusion of the event, a raffle was held in which several fortunate attendees won round-trip flight tickets to Turkey. The event was attended by Sadiq Marafi, Assistant Minister for Europe Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, as the Guest of Honor.
Kuwait News Agency
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait News Agency
Kuwait Justice Min., Turkish Amb. discuss coop.
KUWAIT, May 14 (KUNA) -- Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait and Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait Tuba Nur Sonmez held a meeting on Wednesday discuss ways to bolster cooperation. A statement by the Ministry of Justice on X revealed that the two focused on cooperation with the judiciary domain in addition to other topics of common interest. (end)
Arab News
08-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Kuwait signs design deal with Turkish firm Proyapi for GCC rail project
RIYADH: Kuwait has signed a 2.5 million Kuwaiti dinars ($8.1 million) contract for the design and planning of its section of the regional rail network, marking a step forward in the realization of the Gulf Railway Project first conceived in 2009. The agreement with Turkish consultancy firm Proyapi marks the official launch of Kuwait's participation in this Gulf Cooperation Council-wide infrastructure initiative, bringing the long-delayed project closer to reality. The 2,177-km GCC railway will connect Kuwait City to Muscat via Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE, with most of the route running through Saudi and Emirati territory. Construction is already underway in the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and the project aims to boost regional trade, travel, and tourism. Kuwait's Public Works Minister, Noura Al-Mashaan, said that 'the railway project comes in line with the visions of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to establish a passenger and freight railway network linking the GCC countries,' the Kuwait News Agency, also known as KUNA, reported. . Kuwait is set to be the northern terminus of the network, with its portion covering 111 km. The route will extend from Al-Shadadiya — where a major train station will be constructed on a site spanning 2 million sq. meters— to Al-Nuwaiseeb at the Saudi border. The contract signing ceremony was attended by Turkiye's Ambassador to Kuwait, Tuba Nur Sonmez. The agreement encompasses design and engineering studies, soil testing, route mapping, and the preparation of tender documents for the subsequent construction phase. Once the design work is finalized, Kuwait will move forward with inviting bids for the actual construction. Ahmed Al-Saleh, assistant undersecretary for planning and development and official spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, highlighted the railway's far-reaching impact. 'The project has great social and economic importance for the smooth transport of passengers and goods,' he said, according to the KUNA report, adding that it is being implemented in line with 'the desire of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.' In April 2024, Hafeet Rail began implementing the Oman-UAE connection, marking the first operational GCC link in the regional network. The 238-km stretch will connect Sohar Port in Oman to Abu Dhabi, integrating with the UAE's national rail system and significantly reducing travel times. Passenger trains will cover the Sohar-Abu Dhabi route in just 100 minutes, according to the Hafeet Rail website. During the 26th meeting of GCC transport ministers in Doha in November, officials reaffirmed the project's advancement toward its 2030 completion target. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi highlighted Hafeet Rail as a key milestone, emphasizing its role in creating a unified transport and logistics network across the region.
