Turkey commemorates 10th anniversary of the 15 July 2016 coup attempt

Turkey marked the 10th anniversary of the failed 15 July 2016 coup attempt with nationwide commemorations. Officials, families of martyrs and civil society held ceremonies, prayers and public programmes in cities such as Istanbul, Erzincan, Bursa, Nevşehir and across the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül reminded participants that “everyone, even those who look different, stood against the coupists.”

Parliamentary figures, including AK Party deputy Mustafa Varank, attended a memorial at Şehzadebaşı Mosque, saying “May God grant mercy to all our martyrs.” Academic events were organised at Bursa Technical University and Kahramanmaraş İstiklal University, while prison inmates and staff visited the Gemlik open‑prison cemetery to clean and pray at the graves. Cultural projects included a new TV drama, a documentary series, and a 15‑episode series “Asırlık Gece” produced by TRT.

Internationally, the Turkish Presidency’s communication department coordinated parallel events in ten countries – Germany, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Indonesia, South Africa, Albania, Nigeria and the United Kingdom – featuring panels, exhibitions and the documentary “Şafak Vakti.” The anniversary was also observed with a day‑off status for public institutions and schools throughout Turkey.