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

Across Turkey, commemorations were held on 15 July 2026 to mark the ten‑year anniversary of the failed 2016 coup attempt. In Istanbul, a Bosphorus‑tour gathered families of martyrs and veterans together with senior officials, while Ankara University hosted a panel titled “Gazi Meclis’te O Gece” in which parliamentarians, journalists and witnesses recounted the night the Turkish Grand National Assembly was bombed. Local authorities in İznik, Sason, Sultangazi, Antalya, Eskişehir, Kestel, Canik, Nevşehir and other districts organised flag‑marches, prayers, speeches and cultural programmes that emphasized “İrade Bizim, Zafer Bizim” (Our Will, Our Victory). The events also included a museum opening in Canik, a youth‑oriented panel in Ankara, a sports‑team tribute in Nevşehir, and a performance by the Güzel İşler Fabrikası under TÜRGEV in Konya. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement, delivered in Serbian, framed the coup as an “attempted occupation” and praised the nation’s resolve. All ceremonies highlighted the themes of national unity, democratic resilience and remembrance of the 253 martyrs and thousands of veterans who defended the state.