Dr. Mehmet Mustafa Göksu
The date was July 15th, 2016, exactly seven years ago today, when the Turkish democracy came under a murderous attack organized by so-called military personnel, who were actually recruits of a heinous terrorist crime syndicate and disguised spying web operating across the world, namely FETÖ, infiltrated into the Turkish Army.
July 15th happened at a time when the Turkish authorities had discovered and listed most of the so-called military personnel who were actually recruits of this organization and was getting ready to expel them. It was a desperate move to keep their control in place and capture the state which they were aiming to do through infiltration into not only the armed forces, but all state institutions by insidious methods over the years.
The leader-in-exile of FETÖ, named Fethullah Gülen, was the mastermind behind this attempt against not only the sovereignty of the Turkish people but, considering the influence and significance of Türkiye on its region and the world, also against regional and global peace and stability.
The FETÖ putschists committed the heaviest crime and treason one could commit against his homeland when they hit the Turkish Parliament, Presidential Complex, police and intelligence headquarters and also targeted civilian citizens with the very weapons which were purchased and/or manufactured by the sources of the Turkish nation and entrusted to them to serve and defend their country. 251 innocent lives were lost and thousands were injured on 15 July 2016 as a result of this treason.
This year’s commemoration events are dedicated to the Heroes of the “Century of Türkiye” who lost their lives while during the coup attempt while defending democratic rights and achievement of our nation, the sovereignty of the people and the goals of the Century of Türkiye. We owe our gratitude to our martyred and injured citizens in the night of 15 July 2016. The sacrifices of Heroes of the Century have shown that the Turkish nation will not surrender to any attempt that aims at Türkiye’s independence. On that night the Turkish people defended democracy and this heroic response to coup attempt contributed immensely to Türkiye to enter the new century of the Republic stronger. Türkiye will continue to fight with all terrorist organizations including FETÖ at home and abroad in order to protect its rights arising from international law in the new century.
One could only imagine the shock and trauma this vile attempt has caused for the Turkish nation, given that the country left behind the era of military coups and authoritarian rulers long ago and moved firmly towards a strong democracy.
This firm culture of democracy was the main driving force behind the historic persistence of the Turkish people during that “longest night”. Our people from all across the political and social
spectrum confronted the betrayers with extraordinary bravery and solidarity and fought off the dark hands trying to grasp their sovereignty rights by force.
The leadership of His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of the Republic, was a decisive factor in overcoming this heinous coup attempt. Turkish people answered with enthusiasm his call to stand up for their freedom and dignity, and for the protection of their democratic rights. They flooded the streets of all cities and set the most insurmountable obstacle any invader can face: the barrage of a determined, patriotic nation.
Thanks to the shared vision and exemplary fraternity between Türkiye and Qatar and also between our leaders, our bilateral relations have reached to the level of strategic alliance today. The creation of the Türkiye-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee in 2015 has been a major step in establishing the institutional basis of this development in our relations.
Last but not least, success of the elections of May 2023 in Türkiye has proven once again the strength of our democracy, as the democratic will of the Turkish people prevailed once again without any shadow of doubt. The decisive progress of the Turkish democracy ever since the closure of the era of coups decades ago has been appreciated once again by many international organisations and countries.
In this respect, we attach additional importance to the 15th July Democracy and National Unity Day this year, as it coincides with the latest manifestation of our Nation’s democratic will, as well as the centenary of the establishment of our Republic, and thus the Turkish nation’s obtaining its sovereignty in the first place.
The Republic of Türkiye, while celebrating with enthusiasm its 100th birthday, is looking at the future with confidence thanks to our well-established culture of democracy. Keeping in mind the historic responsibility we have shouldered on 15 July 2016, our unwavering dedication to protect our independence, democracy and national sovereignty shall continue until the end of time.
After the successful organization of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the renewal of our nation’s trust in our President at the latest elections in Türkiye, we believe we will see new heights in all aspects of our bilateral relations in the new term. As the Turkish Ambassador in Qatar, I would like to reiterate my commitment to spare no efforts in further strengthening our strategic cooperation.
- The article is written on the 7th anniversary of the Failed Coup attempt of 15 July 2016.
- The writer is Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the State of Qatar.
