July 15 coup attempt strengthened Türkiye's independence

Türkiye commemorated the anniversary of the July 15, 2016, coup attempt with nationwide events, reflecting on the extraordinary threat posed by an organization that had patiently infiltrated critical state institutions.

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On the night of July 15, 2016, Türkiye came face to face with an organization that had spent nearly six decades patiently infiltrating the state's most critical institutions.

The Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), working with international intelligence, had embedded itself within the military, police, judiciary, and bureaucracy. Unlike earlier military interventions in 1960, 1980, and 1997, which temporarily seized control before returning power to civilian rule, the 2016 attempt aimed to fragment Türkiye, create prolonged instability, and ultimately make it a dependent state under foreign influence.

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Rather than temporarily taking over the government before restoring civilian administration, its objective was to fragment the country, plunge it into prolonged instability, render Türkiye vulnerable to foreign intervention, and ultimately transform it into a dependent state under Western influence.

Recognizing the magnitude of this threat, millions of Turkish citizens poured into the streets on the night of July 15, 2016. According to research, 55% of the population, nearly 50 million people, actively protested against the coup attempt. Citizens confronted tanks and armed soldiers, risking and often sacrificing their lives to defend the state and its constitutional order.

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Millions poured into the streets that night. According to research conducted by GENAR, 55% of the population – nearly 50 million people – actively participated in public protests against the coup attempt.

A defining element of that night was the political leadership. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan narrowly escaped capture and assassination attempts by FETÖ members, demonstrating remarkable resilience under extreme risk.

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Citizens confronted tanks, armored vehicles and heavily armed soldiers with nothing more than their determination, risking – and in many cases sacrificing – their lives to defend the state.