President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “The real intention of the treason network, which exploited the sincere feelings of our nation for 40 years by saying ‘service’, ‘charity’ and ‘education’, was revealed on the night of July 15. However, the successful repelling of the coup attempt with the resistance of our beloved nation opened a brand new page for Türkiye.” he said.

The “15 July Symposium in its Tenth Year with Political and Legal Aspects” was organized by the AK Party Political and Legal Affairs Directorate at the party headquarters. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a written message to the symposium.

In his message, Erdoğan congratulated the Presidency of Political and Legal Affairs, which organized this important symposium, where different aspects of the July 15 treacherous coup attempt will be discussed, and those who contributed to the organization, and said, “I hope that the ideas and statements to be put forward at the symposium and the evaluations to be made here will further strengthen our unity and solidarity, and clearly reveal how the July 15 uprising, with all its elements, is the product of an insidious structure.” He included his statements.

Erdogan, who remembered with mercy each of the 253 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the state and the future of the nation on the night of July 15, also expressed his gratitude to the heroic veterans and wished each of them a good and healthy life.

“THE REAL INTENTION WAS REVEALED ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 15”

President Erdoğan said:

“The real intention of the treason network, which exploited the sincere feelings of our nation for 40 years by saying ‘service’, ‘charity’ and ‘education’, was revealed on the night of July 15. However, the successful repelling of the coup attempt with the resistance of our beloved nation opened a brand new page for Türkiye. Turkey was both freed from an insidious terrorist organization that infiltrated the capillaries of the state and took steps to secure its democracy. Undoubtedly, the most important of these is our new management system. With the Presidential Government System, our nation’s nearly two-century-long search for a governance model has found its answer.

Thanks to the new system that eliminates double-headedness, accelerates decision-making processes and increases the effectiveness of the state, Türkiye’s resistance to shocks has increased, its political stability has been institutionalized, and its crisis management capacity has been strengthened as never before. The advantages that the new system provides to our country have been seen in every field, from the Russia-Ukraine war to the coronavirus epidemic, from healing the wounds of the February 6 earthquakes to the latest Iran-centered crisis. As a state and nation, we are determined to preserve these historical gains and bring Türkiye to the levels it deserves. We will never step back in the fight against FETO, and we will continue our fight within the law against this treason network that subcontracts the enemies of Türkiye. “We will work with all our strength to prevent new July 15s from happening.”

“THE HERO OF THE EPIC WRITTEN THAT NIGHT IS OUR VALUED NATION”

In his speech at the symposium, AK Party Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı said, “July 15 is one of the clearest manifestations of the historical struggle between democracy and tutelage, law and weapons, national will and junta mentality.” he said.

Stating that the July 15 coup attempt was the heaviest, most treacherous and bloodiest coup attempt that Türkiye has ever encountered in its political history, Yazıcı said, “July 15 is the name of the vile and brutal coup attempt of the FETO terrorist organization, which directly targets our nation, the Republic of Turkey, our President, our government, our flag, our homeland and our country.” he said.

Yazıcı stated that the night of July 15 was a night of brutality in every aspect and said, “But at the same time, it is the name of a holy resistance in which the chains that were intended to be placed on the will of the nation were shattered, the barrels aimed at democracy fell silent in the face of the courage of our nation, and the dark scenarios that targeted our independence were defeated. With the call of our Chairman and President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, ‘I invite our nation to the squares’, millions of our citizens took to the streets without any hesitation and “He protected and protected our beloved homeland and our sacred flag at the expense of his life. The hero of the epic written that night is our beloved nation, our beloved martyrs, our heroic veterans. Our nation demonstrated in an unprecedented way how much it had internalized democracy that night.” made his assessment.

“THE SOURCE OF LEGITIMACY OF THE STATE IS THE WILL OF THE NATION”

Pointing to the provision “Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation” in the Constitution, Yazıcı said, “The source of legitimacy of the state is the will of the nation. It is the strongest democratic principle that declares that no center of power or tutelage can be above the national will. This principle is the most unshakable assurance of our common stance against all kinds of interventions against the will of the nation and our commitment to democracy.” he said.

Yazıcı underlined that the AK Party governments, under the leadership of President Erdoğan, acted with great consciousness and responsibility in the face of events that disabled the national will, regardless of the circumstances, and said, “The meeting of millions of our citizens on common ground that night is one of the most important achievements of Turkish democracy.” he said.

Pointing out that the AK Party organizations are the most vivid representatives of the strong bond established between the nation and the state, Yazıcı emphasized that he reinforced this strong stance with the suppression of the coup attempt and the democracy watches that followed, without hesitation.

Yazıcı stated that the AK Party is a political movement that draws its strength from the nation since its establishment and said, “Our party was founded shoulder to shoulder with our nation. The compass of the AK Party has always been on the side of the nation. Whatever the test our nation has faced, our organizations have always stood by our nation and will continue to do so. Our nation has shown to the whole world what a noble nation it is with its foresight, foresight and common sense, and that democracy will be defended not only at the ballot box, but also at the cost of its life when necessary.” He made a statement.

“IT SHOULD BE OUR COMMON RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY A CIVIL, DEMOCRATIC SOCIAL AGREEMENT”

“The greatest responsibility that falls to us is not only to commemorate July 15, but also to keep that spirit alive, to strengthen our unity and solidarity, to protect the national will under all circumstances and to pass on this sacred trust to future generations,” Yazıcı said, adding that the spirit of July 15 is not just the name of a night, but the unshakable will of a nation that never compromises its independence.

AK Party Deputy Chairman Yazıcı said:

“We are not here today just to commemorate the anniversary of a great betrayal we experienced ten years ago. We must remember and never forget the historical responsibility that night imposed on us. We have to put an end to the mechanisms and practices put forward by the coup mentality, as well as the repelling and failure of the coups. Guardianship mechanisms, practices that limit the will of the nation, and the institutional legacy created by the coup plotters are also a necessity that must be eliminated. In this context, the issue of a new and civilian constitution is a necessity for those who risked their lives on the night of July 15.” “We think that it is a historical duty of loyalty that must be fulfilled towards our beloved nation. It should be our common responsibility to save our country from the shame of the coup constitution and bring it to a completely new, civil, democratic and liberal social contract. Of course, it is not acceptable that Türkiye is still governed by a constitution that bears the traces of the coup periods.”

“OUR NATION GIVEN A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 15”

Noting that the basis of the 1982 Constitution was not the will to expand freedoms, but an understanding that opened the door to tutelage centers, Yazıcı said, “On the night of July 15, our nation gave a very clear message: The real owner of this state is the nation. Only the nation decides the future of this country. The duty of all political parties should be to carry the democracy epic that our nation wrote in the squares to the constitutional ground. The new constitution, which will center the national will, will be our greatest support while building the Turkish Century.” made his assessment.

Emphasizing that Türkiye is no longer a country guided by coups but drawing a direction with the will of the nation, Yazıcı said, “Our goal in the second century of our Republic should be to build the Century of Turkey more strongly with a civil and encompassing constitution that erases the traces of tutelage, secures rights and freedoms, derives its legitimacy directly from the nation.” he said.

Yazıcı stated that, as the AK Party Political and Legal Affairs Directorate, they organized this symposium in order to discuss the coup attempt with its political and legal aspects, to reveal the experience of fighting tutelage in terms of strengthening democratic memory, and to produce a political and legal perspective for the future. “We attach great importance to institutionally transferring this noble stance against the July 15 coup attempt, which was not allowed, with the historical call of our President, the courage and glorious resistance of our beloved nation, to the political memory.” he said.

Yazıcı expressed that he believes that the evaluation to be made here today will make valuable contributions to Türkiye’s democratic accumulation.

The symposium will continue with the speeches of İsmail Kahraman, who served as the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on the night of July 15, the then Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, the Minister of Internal Affairs Efkan Ala, and the Chairman of the AK Party Headquarters Mustafa Ataş.

That night we only thought about the homeland

Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler said, “Our duty is not only to commemorate July 15 today. Our main duty is to keep alive the spirit entrusted to us that night and to pass it on to future generations.” he said.

According to the statement made by the Ministry of National Defense, Güler spoke at the ceremony held at the Ministry of National Defense on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.

Commemorating with mercy, gratitude and gratitude the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence of their homeland, the independence of the nation and the survival of the state, and wishing health and long life to the heroic veterans, Güler said, “There are some dates that do not represent just one day in the calendar, those dates are engraved in the memory of a nation, leave deep traces in its common conscience and turn into a historical trust that must be passed on to future generations. Here is such a historical turning point on July 15, 2016.” “On the night of July 15, our noble nation went through a difficult test and wrote one of the most meaningful epics of our history by defending its state, democracy and independence.” made his assessment.

Güler stated that what was targeted that night was not only the constitutional order of the state, “It was our national will. It was our democracy. It was our independence. It was our thousand-year-old state tradition. Most importantly, it was the common future of our nation.” he said.

Emphasizing that the night of July 15 showed that no state that has the support of its nation will be destroyed, and no nation that has confidence in its state can be taken into captivity, Güler continued as follows:

“Because on that day, under the leadership of our President, our nation, which put its faith in the face of weapons, courage in the face of threats, and love of the country in the face of betrayal, stood shoulder to shoulder with our security forces and stood up for the national will, turning a dark night into a bright morning. It should be known that July 15 is not only the date of a failed betrayal. At the same time, July 15 is the day when the unshakable bond of trust between the state and the nation sealed history. July 15 is a day that never gives up its freedom.” “As a result, July 15 is an epic of resurrection written with the sacrifice of our martyrs, the courage of our veterans and the common conscience of our noble nation.”

Minister Güler pointed out that what makes nations strong is not only the opportunities they have, and said, “The real power is to unite in common goals, to be united in difficult times and to walk together towards the same future. This is the biggest lesson that July 15 left us. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk drew attention to the importance of the home front in the most difficult days of the War of Independence. Despite a century that has passed, this determination remains valid in all its aspects today. Because the home front is the commonality of our nation.” It is conscience, it is the consciousness of common history, it is the trust we have in each other, it is the will to believe in the same future under the shadow of the same flag. he said.

“THE GOAL OF A TERRORISM-FREE Türkiye SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED ONLY AS A SECURITY POLICY”

Underlining that as long as the internal front is solid, no threat, no focus of betrayal and no dark structure can turn the Republic of Turkey from its path, Güler said:

“The developments in our nearby geography clearly show that security is no longer just a struggle within our borders. Today, states are faced with conventional threats as well as terrorism, cyber attacks, disinformation, economic pressures and initiatives targeting social disintegration. In such a sensitive period, protecting our national unity and solidarity is the greatest guarantee of our security, democracy, development and future. The goal of a Terror-Free Turkey, put forward with this understanding, should not be considered only as a security policy. This goal is the future of our children.” “It is a strong Türkiye ideal that one looks at with hope, where the tears of mothers cease, where brotherhood grows stronger, where peace takes root and where trust in a bright future is further strengthened.”

Güler pointed out that there is trust where there is no terrorism, and emphasized that where there is trust, there is production, investment, science, technology and development, and most importantly, peace.

Stating that a Türkiye completely free from the shadow of terrorism would be the strongest expression of loyalty to the martyrs and the most meaningful response to the sacrifices of the veterans, Güler said, “Today, Turkey is a country that gives confidence and creates stability in its region, with its strong state tradition, heroic army, self-sacrificing security forces, the dazzling level it has reached in the domestic and national defense industry, and its noble nation that stands by its state under all circumstances.” he said.

Minister Güler stated that the NATO Summit, which was successfully hosted by Türkiye last week, demonstrated Türkiye’s effectiveness in the international arena under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and that many allied country leaders drew attention to the power of the Turkish army and the distinguished level of the defense industry.

“OUR HEROIC ARMY IS PERFORMING THE DUTIES WITH A SUPERIOR SUCCESS”

Underlining that the main source of the power they have as Turkey is the spirit of unity of our beloved nation, determination of solidarity, common goals and unshakable belief in the future, Güler said, “Our Turkish Armed Forces have always considered it the greatest honor to be worthy of the trust of this noble nation from which they emerged, and have served selflessly for the survival of the homeland in every period of our glorious history. From Malazgirt to Çanakkale, from Sakarya to Cyprus, from the fight against terrorism to cross-border “Our heroic army, which fights with the same spirit at every stage, from operations to operations, continues to fulfill its missions on land, at sea, in the air, in space and in cyberspace with outstanding success.” made the statement.

Güler stated that their fight against all structures that threaten the existence of the state, especially the terrorist organization FETO, continues with the same determination within the framework of the principles of the rule of law, and added:

“After being cleared of traitors, our Turkish Armed Forces have reached a much stronger and higher operational capability, and have become a highly deterrent force. In this period in which we are taking firm steps forward in the second century of our Republic, our goal is a Turkey where peace is permanent, terrorism is completely off the agenda, science and technology direct production, a pioneer in the defense industry, a strong economy, democracy rooted, and brotherhood reinforced. I believe that the Turkish Century is a Turkey of solidarity, not division, not fear.” “It will be the century of trust, of hope not of despair, of peace not of terror. Our duty today is not only to commemorate July 15, our main duty is to keep alive the spirit entrusted to us that night and to pass it on to future generations.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely following the fate of Taner Balat, whose family reported him missing in Greece.

Diplomatic sources stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken the necessary steps regarding the situation of Taner Balat, who has not been heard from since he went to Greece approximately 9 months ago, and said:

“Our Embassy in Athens requested information about the fate of our missing citizen named Taner Balat from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in two separate notes in 2025 and 2026. In the response note, the Greek side stated that they did not have any information about Taner Balat; the family of our missing citizen was also informed about the issue.”

Sources stated that Türkiye’s Consulate General in Komotini also made attempts with the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region Police Department regarding the situation of the missing citizen, but as a result of these, no information could be obtained.

Sources stated that Türkiye’s Consulate General in Komotini ensured that the missing announcement published about Balat in the Kumçiftliği (Orestiada) region appeared in the local press and that news about the issue was also published in the local press, adding, “The missing announcement was also conveyed to the institutions and organizations of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority (Rodop, Xanthi and Meriç provinces) and the Elected Muftis of Komotini and Xanthi, and was shared in the villages and neighborhoods.” He stated that “no result could be reached.”

Sources stated that although the Consulate General of Komotini contacted the prisons and immigration centers in its area of ​​duty at regular intervals and requested information, concrete information could not be obtained, and that the family was regularly informed during this process.

Diplomatic sources said, “As a result of the missing persons declarations brought to attention by our Consulate General in Komotini before all minority institutions and organizations, no clue could be found about the fate of the person in question.” he stated.

According to the statement made by the Directorate of Communications, media representatives from the USA, England, France, Italy, Spain, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Korea, Morocco, Ethiopia, Poland, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Nigeria, Montenegro, Uzbekistan, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania and TRNC will attend the program.

The program, which will be held on July 15-17, aims for foreign press members to examine the events related to the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, closely observe Türkiye’s struggle for democracy, and obtain comprehensive information about the fight against FETO.

In the Ankara leg of the program, participants will first visit TRT and be informed about what happened in the TRT building during the coup attempt.

Afterwards, the 15 July Democracy Museum located in the Presidential Complex will be visited.

International media representatives will also attend the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day 10th Anniversary Commemoration Program and follow the commemoration events on-site.

The program will continue with visits to Istanbul. Participants will visit the 15 July Memory Museum after the presentation and information program to be held at the Governorship of Istanbul.

The program aims to contribute to the international public obtaining more comprehensive and direct information about July 15 and to raise international awareness about Türkiye’s struggle for democracy.

AK Party General Secretary Eyyüp Kadir İnan shared a post on his NSosyal account on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the coup attempt carried out by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) on July 15, 2016.

AK Party Secretary General İnan said, “On the night of July 15, 2016, there were those who waited for the result to choose their side, those who could not stand openly on the side of democracy, those who preferred silence in the face of guns pointed at the will of the nation, those who made calculations by saying ‘Something is happening in Türkiye, let’s wait.’ While they were watching the advance of tanks, the fire opened by planes in our skies, the bombing of our Gazi Parliament, our dear nation had already made its decision. Our nation did not wait that night. It did not hesitate. “He did not calculate the consequences. He took to the streets upon the call of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and risked his life to protect his homeland, flag, independence and future.” made his assessment.

Reminding that 10 years have passed since the coup attempt, İnan said:

“Those who made calculations about Türkiye’s future that night are waiting for what Türkiye will say on global issues today. Those who watched the developments in Ankara from afar that night are waiting for Ankara’s will today. We showed those who tried to include Türkiye in their own calculations on July 15 that this nation will not be an extra in any scenario. We declared to the whole world that calculations cannot be made through this nation, this nation’s will cannot be directed, and no games can be played with Turkey. Those who are waiting for the outcome while the uprising continues 10 years ago, today “He is waiting for Türkiye’s decisions.”

On the night of July 15, 2016, there were those who were waiting for the result to choose their side, those who could not openly stand on the side of democracy, those who preferred silence in the face of guns pointed at the will of the nation, and those who made calculations by saying “Something is happening in Türkiye, let’s wait.”

They are tanks…

— Eyyüp Kadir İnan (@eyupkadirinan) July 14, 2026

SELA WILL BE READ IN ALL MOSQUES

Within the scope of the programs to be carried out under the coordination of the General Directorate of Religious Services, Hatm-i Sharif for the martyrs of July 15 will be recited in all mosques and sela will be recited simultaneously in all mosques at 00.13 on the night connecting July 15 to July 16.

“OUR WILL IS OURS VICTORY” PROGRAM FROM THE DIRECTORATE OF COMMUNICATIONS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY

According to the statement made by the Presidency, in addition to the main events in Ankara and Istanbul, the nation’s struggle for democracy will be brought together with citizens in different venues with photo exhibitions, digital experience areas, commemorative marches, visual shows and memory projects. The center of the commemoration programs will be the Capital National Garden on July 15. In the program, which will be organized under the auspices of the Presidency and expected to be attended by approximately 20 thousand people, the determination of the nation against the treacherous coup attempt and the will to defend the national will will be strongly emphasized once again. During the events, the beloved martyrs will be remembered with mercy, the gratitude towards the veterans will be expressed, and the common memory will be kept alive with the events prepared to commemorate the tenth anniversary. Within the scope of the train wrapping work with the theme of “Our Will, Our Victory”, which is one of the projects to be implemented in this context, 10 trains prepared in cooperation with the Directorate of Communications and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure will travel on different routes of Türkiye throughout the week. Thus, millions of passengers will encounter visuals telling the epic of democracy and the message of national unity throughout their journey. Prepared within the scope of the commemoration programs, “Memory and Remembrance: July 15 Photography Exhibition” will host its visitors today at Esenboğa, Istanbul, Sabiha Gökçen, İzmir Adnan Menderes, Antalya and Gaziantep airports. The exhibition, prepared in cooperation with the Presidential Directorate of Communications and the 15 July Association, will include photographs reflecting the nation’s resistance against the coup attempt and its struggle for democracy. Memory projects to be carried out in Istanbul will also offer different experiences to visitors. The Silent Witness Installation opened in Üsküdar Square will keep the memory of 253 martyrs alive. In the area where a Turkish flag will be placed on behalf of each martyr, their name, date of birth and hometown information will be included. The installation aims to convey the sacrifice made by the nation to future generations.

“OUR WILL, VICTORY IS OURS” DIGITAL TIME TUNNEL WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN KIZILAY SQUARE

The Memory Tree Experience Area, which will be established in Üsküdar and Taksim squares on July 15, will offer visitors an interactive memory experience. Citizens will be able to share their feelings, thoughts and messages about the martyrs through touch screens, and all transmitted messages will be brought together in a common digital memory. Thus, visitors will become active participants who not only watch the commemoration programs but also contribute to the formation of social memory. The “The Will is Ours, the Victory is Ours” digital timeline, which will be established in the capital, can be visited in Kızılay Square on 15-16 July. The experience area, prepared with sound, light and digital technologies, will convey to visitors the process from the first moments of the coup attempt to the victory of the national will, while also revealing the developments Türkiye has made in the field of defense industry and technology in the last 10 years. July 15 Martyrs Bridge, one of the symbolic places of the struggle for democracy, will be one of the important stops of the commemoration programs this year. The Democracy and Martyrs’ Commemoration March, which will be held on July 15 at 10:00, will start from Zincirlikuyu with the participation of approximately 5 thousand people and end at the July 15 Martyrs Bridge Martyrdom.