15.07.2026 11:00
President Erdoğan, in his article 'Declaration of Independence' published on the 10th anniversary of July 15, emphasized that the coup attempt was a victory of democracy where the nation embraced its will, and stated that the fight against FETÖ would continue. Erdoğan said, 'As long as the spirit of July 15 remains alive in these lands, no one should doubt that the treacherous plans of traitors and the dirty games of the global scriptwriters behind them will never succeed.'
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated, "July 15 is not just a night when a treacherous coup attempt was thwarted, but a great democracy victory written in golden letters in history, where our nation defended its will, democracy, and independence at the cost of its life."
President Erdogan penned an article titled "July 15: The Declaration of Independence of Turkey's Century" on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.
"THE BIGGEST LESSON IN HISTORY WAS TAUGHT TO THE IMPERIALISTS"
Erdogan began the article published in newspapers with the words, "Exactly ten years have passed since that ominous night when a great nation fought for its independence and future at the cost of its life, changing the course of history," and made the following assessments:
"July 15 is not only a night when a treacherous coup attempt was foiled; it is a great democracy victory where our nation defended its will, democracy, and independence at the cost of its life, written in golden letters in history. That night, our noble nation taught the imperialists who attempted to occupy our homeland and their collaborators one of the greatest lessons in history, just like in the War of Independence.
July 15 is a great epic written in golden letters by our noble nation, who rushed to the streets and squares with the faith and determination of those who fought heroically at Manzikert a thousand years ago, those who gave their bodies and souls to realize Sultan Fatih's dream on the walls of Istanbul 500 years ago and to attain the Prophet's glad tidings, and those who risked their lives for the defense of the homeland a hundred years ago, as the poet expressed in the couplet, 'The majesty of our ancestors is known to the world / Do not think nature changes, this blood is still that blood!'"
"SYMBOLS OF HEROISM"
In his article, Erdogan emphasized that when calling the noble nation to the squares and airports to protect the national will against the unprecedented act of betrayal by the frenzied terrorist organization, they did not make a simple invitation, and shared the following views:
"Our call to our nation was a manifestation of the trust we have in our noble nation's democratic common sense, wisdom, and courage. We aimed to revive one of the most sacred legacies our ancestors left us, the motto 'Either independence or death!' Our nation, emerging as if from the depths of history, immediately responded to this call, disregarding its life and soul. Thank God, our nation did not betray this trust; it once again protected its independence and future. That night, our nation shattered the chains meant to bind its will, tore off the shackles of tutelage and betrayal, and demolished the obstacles in front of Turkey one by one. That night, 253 of our homeland children tasted the sherbet of martyrdom, and over 2,000 of our brothers were wounded. Each of these numbers is a separate symbol of the sacrifice, courage, and heroism displayed to protect the homeland, the flag, and the national will."
"WHAT WE MUST NEVER FORGET"
President Erdogan stated, "Over the past ten years, we have continued our fight against the bloodstained terrorist organization FETO with uncompromising determination both domestically and internationally," and noted the following:
"Because cleaning this cancer cell that had infiltrated our state and ensuring the perpetrators are held accountable before justice was our greatest debt to our martyrs who willingly sacrificed their lives. We eradicated FETO from every field, from bureaucracy to the military, from the judiciary to the business world. However, it is also worth remembering once again the simple truth that we must never forget: this is not a struggle that started and ended ten years ago. The only way to prevent FETO and similar insidious structures from harassing our state and nation again is to keep the spirit of July 15 alive at all times and transfer this consciousness to future generations."
"WE CONTINUE OUR FIGHT AGAINST TERROR FOCI"
Erdogan, stating that the pain of the treacherous coup attempt remains as fresh as the first day after ten years, continued his article as follows:
"Nevertheless, we continue our fight against FETO and all similar terror foci with the same determination and resolve. On the 10th anniversary of July 15, there is now a Turkey that is much stronger, much more determined, and tightly knit together. As long as the spirit of July 15 remains alive in these lands, no one should doubt that the insidious plans of traitors and the dirty games of the global screenwriters behind them will never find a response.
On this occasion, I ask for Allah's mercy for all our martyrs who shielded that dark night with their chests to bring it to light, who made these lands, which have been bequeathed by our ancestors and where we have ruled for centuries, our homeland once again at the cost of their lives. I pray for a good, blessed, and long life for our veterans.
May our Lord not let our noble nation, whose history is intricately woven with glorious victories, experience betrayals like July 15 again. The greatest strength of this nation is its unity, togetherness, and the ancient brotherhood kneaded with joy and sorrow for a thousand years. May Allah make our unity, togetherness, and brotherhood eternal."