The Turkish Parliament was bombed thrice on the night of the coup.
With over 100 lawmakers inside, the Turkish parliament was hit by bombs three times on July 15, 2016, the night of the defeated coup.
While Turks were flocking to central squares across the country in defense of democracy, Turkish lawmakers did the same by going to parliament.
A total of 106 deputies were at parliament during the defeated coup attempt: 80 from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, 16 from the Republican People's Party (CHP), and 10 from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
As the lawmakers had worked until early morning on July 14 to pass a 75-item bill on improving the investment climate, parliament was supposed to be adjourned on July 15.
Turkey’s parliament speaker said Sunday that their aim is to keep alive the spirit of national unity that flowered in the face of the defeated July 15, 2016 coup.Speaking to reporters following his visit to the Karsiyaka Martyrs' Cemetery in Istanbul, Binali Yildirim said, citing Turkey’s current population: “Our aim is to keep the spirit of July 15 alive, make the brotherhood, unity and solidarity of 81 million everlasting.”The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.Turkey marks the historic day as Democracy and National Unity Day with events to commemorate those who lost their lives beating back the putschists and to remember the bravery of the nation.“We commemorate with mercy and gratitude, our martyrs, who devotedly, willingly sacrificed their lives on July 15 in defense of our land,” Yildirim said.He added that commemorative events will be held throughout the day by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, government ministers, and various institutions.Erdoğan will also take part in a march on Istanbul’s July 15 Martyrs' Bridge, where he will make an address.US media shortchanges FETÖ threat: Film directorJerusalem marks anniversary of defeated coup in TurkeyErdoğan pens letter to families of July 15 martyrsTurkey’s great struggle against FETÖ
Turkish parliament speaker marks July 15
Most of the lawmakers had returned to their home districts after long, busy working hours.
The lawmakers who were in Ankara during the defeated coup bid saw the jets flying over the capital at around 9:30 p.m. (1830GMT) local time.
By consulting fellow party members through social media, AK Party deputies were able to figure out that it was a coup attempt.
After debating whether to go to AK Party headquarters or parliament, they decided for the latter.
A ceremony was held in the Turkish consulate in East Jerusalem on Sunday to mark the 2nd anniversary of the defeated coup attempt in Turkey in 2016.Addressing the ceremony, Erman Topcu, Turkish temporary charge d’affaires, said July 15 was one of the most important breaking points in Turkey’s history."As our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said... the resistance on July 15 has clearly shown to all coup plotters in the world that there is no superior power to the national sovereignty," he said.He said the Turkish people have shown that they would never accept any attack on the state."We respectfully salute all of our martyrs and offer our gratitude for the great efforts our veterans and the Turkish nation have made," he said.The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.Turkey marks the historic day as Democracy and National Unity Day with events to commemorate those who lost their lives beating back the putschists and to remember the bravery of the nation.Turkey’s great struggle against FETÖSurvivors share experiences of Turkey's deadly coup bid
Jerusalem marks anniversary of defeated coup in Turkey
Then-Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman was working at parliament and left it at around 9:41 p.m. local time. He learned about the coup attempt only after getting home.
Deputies flock to parliament
The deputies who came to parliament during the coup attempt include Ahmet Gundogdu, Aydin Unal, Julide Sarieroglu, Ayse Sula Koseoglu, Ilknur Inceoz, Lutfiye Selva Cam, Mustafa Sahin, Orhan Atalay, Ayse Kesir, Sema Kirci, and Bennur Karaburun, all from the AK Party.
Later that night, lawmakers from the opposition parties also began to come to parliament.
Kahraman got back to parliament at around 11:26 p.m. and ordered that the General Assembly come back into session. He later left at 11:45 p.m. for the Cankaya Palace -- then the prime minister’s residence -- where a crisis desk was established. Kahraman returned to parliament at 1:20 a.m. local time.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan penned a letter to the families of the July 15 veterans and martyrs on the 2nd anniversary of the failed coup attempt orchestrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).Fearless march “With pride and excitement, our country today celebrates July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. I express gratitude on behalf of our country and nation to all our injured veterans who fearlessly marched forward that night for our homeland, sovereignty and future,” the letter penned by President Erdoğan read.Erdoğan will later visit Istanbul's July 15 Martyrs' Bridge and the nearby Monument of Martyrs unveiled last year to honor those who lost their lives while resisting the putsch.The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.FETÖ is also behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.Turkey’s great struggle against FETÖErdoğan to march in commemoration of second July 15 anniversaryA promise of a brighter of future aheadIn his letter, Erdoğan said that the nation not only protected the country from a coup attempt by safeguarding its sovereignty and future against FETÖ traitors who came out against it with tanks, helicopters and weapons, but that they simultaneously protected it from an occupation attempt. “With God’s help, the prayers of the oppressed and destitute, and our nation’s courage, the blare of bullets fired by jets on that dark night was turned into a promise of even more brighter days to come for our country and nation thanks to the sacrifice of veterans such as yourselves,” the letter continued.Our struggle continuesThe letter sent to the martyrs’ families also read: “The significance of July 15 for those who lost their children, spouses, siblings and loved ones that night is, without a doubt, much more different and special. We look to our martyrs’ relatives as living monuments of sacrifice who said, “When it comes to the homeland, the rest is details. As state and nation, we full well know that no matter what we do, we will never be able to repay our debt to our martyrs’ relatives.”Galeri: Turkey commemorates martyrs of failed July 15 coup
Erdoğan pens letter to families of July 15 martyrs
The first bomb hit the garden of parliament at 2:33 a.m. A second bomb hit a corridor close to the Prime Ministry room, causing severe damage and leaving General Assembly hall swirling with clouds of dust.
After the second attack, Turkish lawmakers moved into the parliament shelter. When the third bomb hit parliament at 3:33 a.m., the deputies had taken shelter.
In the wake of the defeated coup, many foreign leaders visited the parliament building and saw with their own eyes the damage the coup-plotters had done.
Turkey is persistently continuing its fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).Turkey declared a state of emergency on July 20, 2016 following a failed coup attempt perpetrated by FETÖ on July 15. The state of emergency is due to be lifted next week. In the two years since the putsch, a total of 32 statutory decrees were issued and FETÖ terrorists who had infiltrated state institutions were purged.As a result, close to 125,000 public servants have been dismissed. In addition to this, many associations and foundations were shut down, and police and military officers with connections to FETÖ were also dismissed.Erdoğan to march in commemoration of second July 15 anniversaryMost dismissals from police forceThe most dismissals following the failed July 15 coup attempt were from the police force. Together with the Decree No. 701 recently published, a total of 38,056 people have been discharged within the Ministry of Interior. Additionally, 34,393 people were dismissed from the National Education Ministry, 14,633 from the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and 4,836 from the Board of Judges and Prosecutors.Approximately 5,000 of those who were dismissed from their posts returned to their jobs following decisions by the State of Emergency Commission.Turkish representations abroad mark July 15Nearly 300 coup casesFollowing the putsch, 289 cases were opened across Turkey - 56 in Ankara and 53 in Istanbul, and the captured FETÖ putschists were put on trial. A total of 9,690 defendants have stood in front of a judge as result of these cases.Also, the medals of former national soccer players Hakan Şükür and Arif Erdem were revoked.Galeri: Bosnia releases balloons to commemorate martyrs of Turkey's failed coupAt least 250 people were martyred and nearly 2,200 injured in the July 15 failed coup which was perpetrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), led by ringleader Fetullah Gülen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania.Gülen pursued a long-running campaign to overthrow the Turkish government through the infiltration of state institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.
Turkey’s great struggle against FETÖ
On July 15, Turkey marks the second anniversary of the defeated coup attempt, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
According to the Turkish government, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup.
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.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will attend a rally at Istanbul’s July 15 Martyrs Bridge to mark the second anniversary of the failed coup attempt.Erdoğan will first attend a commemoration ceremony to be held in Ankara as part of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.The Turkish president will later visit Istanbul's July 15 Martyrs' Bridge and the nearby Monument of Martyrs unveiled last year to honor those who lost their lives while resisting the putsch.Survivors share experiences of Turkey's deadly coup bidErdoğan will also join a march on the July 15 Martyrs' Bridge and deliver an address.The Fetullah Terror Organization (FETÖ) orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.FETÖ is also behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.Turkish representations abroad mark July 15
Erdoğan to march in commemoration of second July 15 anniversary