President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday praised the Turkish nation’s resistance to the July 15 coup attempt, saying the plot was defeated through the people’s courage and determination.
“Thanks to our nation’s courageous resistance, the treacherous July 15 coup attempt was foiled, and the imperialist project was cast aside,” Erdogan said during a commemoration ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the attempted coup.
Referring to the Turkish parliament, he said: “A century after defeating occupying forces, the veteran parliament once again stood firm against imperialism’s proxies on July 15.”
Erdogan commemorated with gratitude the 253 people who were killed while defending the country, the flag, the call to prayer and the national will.
“As politicians entrusted with the sacred mandate of the nation, we are united today, just as we were 10 years ago, standing as one heart and one body,” he said.
He added that Türkiye would always remember those who refused to bow down, even at the cost of their lives, in defense of national independence, the survival of the state and the future of democracy.
Parliament’s resistance
Erdogan said that just as Turkish citizens defended their will in the streets, members of parliament resisted the coup under bombardment and stood united across party lines to protect democracy.
He expressed confidence that parliament would continue to act in solidarity against all threats to national sovereignty.
“Even after 10 years, those who failed on July 15 are still waiting for a chance to pursue their sinister aims,” he warned.
Erdogan said those involved in the coup attempt continued to use every opportunity to act against Türkiye and the Turkish nation.
“In the countries where they scattered and live in luxury with illicit money, they seek to create new tensions through the media and social media by slandering Türkiye and lobbying against it,” he said.
“They assume every disguise, tell every kind of lie and cooperate with anyone who has a grievance against the Turkish nation.”
Warning over continued FETO threat
Erdogan accused members of FETO of conducting coordinated influence campaigns on digital platforms.
“They are intensifying their perception-management operations day by day, especially through content circulated in a coordinated manner on digital platforms,” he said.
“FETO terrorists who sold their souls and dignity for a dollar continue to serve Türkiye’s sworn enemies.”
He said the death of the organization’s leader in Pennsylvania had weakened its morale, triggered internal disputes and increased questioning among its supporters.
However, he warned that the threat had not disappeared.
“Although the threat originating from FETO has been contained, the danger still persists,” Erdogan said.
“A struggle against such a sinister organization, which swallows lies like water and constantly changes color like a chameleon, leaves no room for complacency or negligence.”
“We must not forget that we face a mentality that exploits democracy, infiltrates institutions to gain power and turns its weapons on its own people,” he added.
‘An attempted occupation’
Erdogan described July 15 as more than an attempted military takeover, calling it an imperialist project aimed at weakening Türkiye and turning it into a dependent state.
“July 15 was an updated imperialist project carried out by domestic tutelage groups in cooperation with foreign centers,” he said.
“What took place was not merely an attempted coup; it was also an attempt at total occupation.”
The president said the plan failed because Turkish citizens put their lives at risk to defend the country.
“As a result of our nation putting its body on the line, this dirty plan was disrupted and the imperialist project was thrown into the trash,” he said.
“Türkiye once again defended its independence.”
Erdogan added that the solidarity that emerged during the post-coup democracy vigils, the Yenikapi gathering and the formation of the People’s Alliance strengthened Türkiye, particularly in its fight against terrorism.
Post-coup operations and reforms
Erdogan said the measures introduced after July 15 accelerated the removal of FETO members from state institutions and public life.
He also linked the defeat of the coup attempt to Türkiye’s subsequent cross-border military operations.
“We carried out effective cross-border operations against formations that directly targeted our country’s security,” he said.
He cited Operation Euphrates Shield against Daesh (ISIS) and Operations Olive Branch, Peace Spring and Spring Shield against groups Türkiye considers terrorist organizations.
Erdogan also said Türkiye had provided support in several regional conflicts and crises, including in Syria, Libya and Karabakh.
“At the same time, we healed the wounds caused by betrayal within the state and society at home,” he said.
“We also implemented reforms that confirmed the supremacy of the national will, strengthened democracy and guaranteed stability in government.”
Presidential system
Erdogan described the presidential system of government as one of Türkiye’s most significant gains after July 15.
He said the system ended dual authority in the executive branch and permanently addressed political instability that had previously created conditions for anti-democratic interventions.
“Türkiye’s achievements over the past decade, from defense and the economy to security and foreign policy, have been made possible by eliminating FETO,” he said.
The president added that Türkiye’s progress would accelerate as the organization continued to weaken and the networks holding it together disintegrated.
‘Century of Türkiye is under way’
“Let there be no doubt: the Century of Türkiye, which FETO sought to obstruct, is now under way,” Erdoğan said.
“No dark force will be able to stop it.”
