Turkey marks 10th anniversary of failed July 15 coup attempt

In July 2026 Turkey and a network of partner organisations marked the tenth anniversary of the failed 15 July 2016 coup attempt. In Istanbul a large bicycle and motorbike parade, called the “15 July Destanı”, started at Taksim Square and rode to the 15 July Martyrs Bridge and the 15 July Memory Museum. The event was co‑organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Presidential Communication Presidency, the Istanbul Governor’s Office, the Turkish Cycling Federation and the 15 July Association and involved roughly 500 cyclists and 400 motorcyclists. Officials, including Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, repeatedly stressed “we will not forget” the coup‑night and praised the public’s “national will”.

The Presidency’s Communication Department also arranged a series of commemorative programmes in ten foreign capitals – Berlin, Sarajevo, Brussels, Bern, The Hague, Jakarta, Pretoria, Tirana, Abuja and London – featuring panels, photo exhibitions and the documentary “Shafak Vakti”. The aim was to present the 15 July events as a universal example of democratic resistance and to foster international dialogue on democratic resilience.

Political analyst Cengiz Günay noted that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used the coup’s failure to cement his power, shifting Turkey to a presidential system, conducting mass purges of the civil service and weakening judicial independence. He added that despite increased authoritarianism, a “resilient civil society” continues to demand democratic reforms.

The government also highlighted support for victims’ families: 2,571 relatives of martyrs and veterans have been placed in public‑sector jobs; nearly 11,000 free travel cards have been issued; and a range of tax, education, health and housing benefits continue to be provided.