Turkey's Ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kılıç
The Turkish Embassy in Washington on Sunday held a ceremony to mark 2016 defeated coup, orchestrated by Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).
The event started with a minute of silence observed in the honor of the victims of July 15 defeated coup, followed by singing of the Turkish national anthem.
In his opening speech, Turkey's Ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kılıç said Turkish democracy, constitutional order and its democratically elected leader came under "an unprecedented attack by a heinous group [FETO]" on the night of coup attempt.
"But on that night, they did not take into account the Turkish people who displayed a glorious resistance against the terrorist coup plotters by taking to the streets," he added.
Mosques across Turkey said prayers in memory of July 15, 2016 martyrs and for national unity.Within the scope of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate's organized program, around 90,000 mosques across Turkey prayed for national unity and in memory of martyrs as of 00.13 a.m. local time (2113GMT).Erdoğan says nation has closed the chapter of coups, never to be reopened againTurkey’s defeated coup bid marked across worldFETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.Video: Istanbul mosques say prayers in memory of July 15
Mosques across Turkey say prayers in memory of July 15
He said Turkey is a "dedicated and determined" country in its fight against FETO and other terrorist organizations.
"And we expect the necessary steadfast solidarity and support from our allies and partners in this fight," he added.
The event was attended by Azerbaijan Ambassador to the U.S. Elin Suleymanov Eminoglu, U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elisabeth I. Millard, former Commander of the Turkish Land Forces General Salih Zeki Colak, heads of different NGOs, embassy staffers and Turkish-Americans.
Thousands converged on the July 15 Martyrs’ Bridge in Istanbul for a rally marking Democracy and National Unity Day. Turkey marks the second anniversary of the defeated coup attempt, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, on Sunday.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joined the rally at the July 15 Martyrs’ Bridge later in the evening and delivered an address.Turkish president says nation feels "deep sorrow and immense pride at the same time" on 2nd anniversary of coup bid.Erdoğan says the 2016 coup attempt is “the revival of Turkish nation” Turkish president says nation has closed the chapter of coups, never to be reopened again.Galeri: Turkey’s defeated coup bid marked across the countryThe July 15 Martyrs’ Bridge, then called the Bosporus Bridge, was a flashpoint on the night of the coup, where 34 people were martyred, including prominent advertiser Erol Olçok and his 17-year-old son Abdullah Tayyip Olçok.All but two of the martyrs were civilians; the remaining two were police officers.Video: July 15 Democracy and National Unity DayJuly 15 marks the second anniversary of the defeated coup during which the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), a clandestine group which infiltrated state offices, especially the military, judiciary, civil service, and treasury, and tried to take over the government as well as attempting the coup in 2016. The night of the coup attempt saw tanks closing down the July 15 Martyrs Bridge that connects Asia to Europe, and fighter jets and helicopters flying down over Istanbul and Ankara, in addition to the bombing of the presidential complex, parliament building, police and intelligence headquarters, while civilians came out to resist the coup.Turkey’s defeated coup bid marked across worldS.Africa commemorates July 15 coup attempt in Turkey
Erdoğan says nation has closed the chapter of coups, never to be reopened again
On July 15, 2016 FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated a defeated coup in Turkey which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Since the coup attempt, Turkey has sought Gulen's extradition from the U.S., and complained that the U.S. is not moving fast enough.
Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
FETÖ has a considerable presence outside Turkey, including private educational institutions that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group, including in the U.S.