Director of Communications Prof. Fahrettin Altun made remarks on Posta newspaper's July 15 exclusive supplement.
The epic struggle on July 15, 2016 of our precious nation and heroic security forces under the leadership of our President, against the coup attempt staged by the members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) that had infiltrated the Turkish Armed Forces, was one of the important turning points in our history.
The coup attempt hung up by FETO as a last resort after the deceptions it had been trying to play for a long time were frustrated was pushed back by our nation's insight and courage. FETO members, who tried to use the nation's guns, tanks and aircrafts against the nation, encountered a resistance they never expected. FETO terrorists fired at our citizens and security forces that stood against the coup attempt with their bare hands and Turkish flags without even blinking, and poured bombs on them. While 251 of our citizens, who fought against weapons, tanks, and planes fearlessly at the cost of their lives, were martyred, more than 2 thousand citizens were injured and became veterans. I express my gratitude to our veterans and the entire nation and the security forces who opposed the coup that night while remembering our martyrs with mercy.
This great struggle put forth by our nation with its women and men, young and old, points to an unprecedented national will and democracy victory for the whole world as well as for our country.
Without doubt, we overcame this trouble with the spirit of all-out mobilization demonstrated in the War of Independence and the Battle of Çanakkale. The July 15 Victory became the finest example of how the state and the nation united in the face of threats against our independence and future.
On July 15, we indeed pushed back an attempt of invasion that appeared like a coup attempt. We, as the nation one and united, did not allow the global powers or terrorist organisations they used as proxies to proceed with their evil plans and plots against our country. We set upside down, one by one, all their attempts to tackle us down in our progress and advancement, and their calculations to turn us back from walking toward our goals. July 15 is also the date when the book of history of coups is closed not to be opened ever again for our country.
From the very first day when FETO's betrayals emerged, we have been continuing our fight against it with our President's leadership and our nation's support. We will never lose track of particularly the FETO ringleader and of organization members who were part of the July 15 and other treasons, no matter where they may be around the world.
We will continue to purify all relevant domains contaminated by FETO. We will continue our fight not only against FETO but also against all terrorist organisations within or outside our borders and taking necessary steps to eliminate any kind of threat posed against our country. We will walk toward the future, as strong and robust Turkey, by overcoming every obstacle in our way and by our leaps in all spheres from economy to foreign policy, and healthcare to education.
We will never forget, nor let anybody forget, the honourable struggle put up by our nation against the July 15 coup attempt and our martyrs.
Blessed be our July 15 Victory, and Democracy and National Unity Day.