Turkey Marks 10 Years Since Failed Coup Against Erdogan

Turkey is marking the 10th anniversary of the failed coup attempt that shook President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's power on the night of July 15, 2016. The events of that night saw military forces attempt to overthrow Erdogan's government, with tanks in the streets, fighter jets flying low, and the parliament building bombed. The iconic Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul was also blocked by the military.

The coup attempt, which lasted for several tense hours, resulted in at least 270 deaths and over 2,000 injuries. Despite the chaos, Erdogan's call for citizens to take to the streets helped rally support against the coup plotters. The attempt ultimately failed by the morning of July 16, 2016.

In the aftermath, Erdogan's government launched extensive purges targeting individuals perceived as close to Fethullah Glen, an Islamic preacher based in the United States whom Turkey accused of masterminding the coup. These purges led to the arrest of tens of thousands and the dismissal of hundreds of thousands from their jobs. Human rights groups noted that legal mechanisms established during the subsequent state of emergency were expanded beyond targeting coup plotters and Glen supporters.

Critics argue that the post-coup crackdown significantly altered Turkey's political landscape, shifting it from a democratic and secular foundation towards a highly centralized, nationalist-Islamic executive system. The government maintains these actions were necessary for national security. July 15 is now a national holiday, and the Bosphorus Bridge was renamed the Martyrs' Bridge in commemoration.