Turkish coup resistance was ‘second Independence War’

By Yuksel Serdar Oguz

ANKARA

The Turkish people staged a “second Independence War” during their resistance against the failed July 15 coup, a labor union leader has told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview.

Civil servants’ union (MEMUR-SEN) head Yildirim Akbaba used social media on the night of the coup plot to gather thousands of members on the streets of Ankara.

In just 15 minutes, he sent messages to 50,000 union members to respond to the undemocratic move against the legal and elected government of Turkey.

These union members poured into the capital’s squares to stand against the soldiers involved in the coup bid.

“I supposed it was a declaration of war when I saw the jets bombing state buildings,” Akbaba said.

Akbaba defines the act as an “invasion”; attacks rocked the parliament complex, General Staff building, National Intelligence Agency HQ and police stations.

“Those who attack their own people cannot be Turkish soldiers, but a mob wearing military uniform,” Akbaba said.

Coordination via WhatsApp

Akbaba organized union members by sending them to different areas via WhatsApp and SMS messages.

“‘We neutralized two tanks by convincing the troops inside,’ one member informed me, then they kept chasing the others to block,” he said.

Witnessing several martyred and injured people near him when the Presidential Complex was hit by airstrikes, Akbaba said he refused to return home despite his relatives calling him to go back.

“When will we resist, if not today?” he told his relatives.

On the other hand, his wife and 16-year-old daughter “insisted and joined” him.

War of Independence

Over this week’s nightly democracy rallies in squares across Turkey, Akbaba said he came together with thousands of people from different political views.

The Turkish people have joined “the homeland defense,” Akbaba said.

“It is the second War of Independence, after one hundred years,’ he added, referring to Turkey’s 1919-1923 struggle for freedom.

Last week's deadly coup attempt occurred when rogue elements in the Turkish military tried to overthrow the country's democratically-elected government.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly plot, which martyred at least 246 people and injured more than 2,100 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

Gulen is also accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the ‘parallel state’.