Turkey marks 10 years since failed July 2016 coup attempt
On July 15, 2026 Turkey commemorated the ten‑year anniversary of the failed 2016 coup attempt by FETÖ. Nationwide ceremonies were held, including wreath‑laying in Aydın, a day‑long program in Bozdoğan, and a children’s theatre performance in Erzurum. Local officials repeatedly praised the “heroic resistance of the nation” and reiterated the slogan “İrade Bizim, Zafer Bizim” (The will is ours, the victory is ours).
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan released a commemorative article stating, “15 Temmuz is not only the night a coup failed; it is the night our people defended democracy, independence and the nation’s will with their blood.” Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi echoed the sentiment, calling the coup a “betrayal that the nation could never accept.”
A national survey by Areda found that 72.7 % of respondents would again take to the streets if a coup were attempted, while 68.7 % still view the Gülen movement (FETÖ) as a threat. Analysts note that the event was a watershed for civil‑military relations, “fundamentally changed the relationship between the military, the state and society,” and led to purges of tens of thousands of public servants.
International commentary highlighted the decade‑long crackdown, with reports from Spain, Germany, Greece and Mexico describing mass dismissals, arrests and lasting political ramifications.