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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Türkiye's parliament to unite against terrorism with the same solidarity displayed during the failed 2016 coup attempt, speaking at a commemoration ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the July 15 putsch.
"I wholeheartedly believe that the Turkish Grand National Assembly will provide strong support to our country's struggle to rid itself of terrorism by setting aside all differences and standing in solidarity, just as it did on the night of July 15," Erdogan said during the ceremony held at parliament's ceremonial hall under the theme "The Name of Victory is Türkiye."
The president praised lawmakers for defending democracy and the national will during the coup attempt, drawing parallels to Türkiye's War of Independence. He thanked all parliamentarians who supported the nation's independence struggle that night, regardless of party affiliation.
"You did not cast a shadow on the nation's trust in a manner befitting the honor of the Gazi Assembly, just as in the days of the National Struggle," Erdogan said.
Erdogan recounted the events of July 15, 2016, when military officers linked to the Gulen movement attempted to overthrow the government. Citizens poured into streets, squares and airports to resist the putschists, with hundreds killed and thousands wounded in the confrontation.
"That night, we once again attained the consciousness of being a nation," Erdogan said. "That night, we once again saw what it means to be an ummah. That night, we once again understood the secret of our global brotherhood."
The president emphasized that the coup attempt served as a "litmus test" for Turkish society, revealing who stood with the nation and who remained on the sidelines. He criticized those who called the resistance "theater" or a "controlled coup," saying such individuals would be remembered with shame.
Erdogan linked the defeat of the coup to Türkiye's current anti-terrorism efforts, particularly operations against Kurdish militants in northern Syria and Iraq. He expressed confidence that eliminating terrorism would unlock Türkiye's potential across economic, defense and foreign policy spheres.
"A Terror-Free Türkiye will open the key to the process leading to a terror-free region," Erdogan said. "The construction of the Turkish Century will accelerate further. In a multipolar world, our Türkiye will take its rightful place as a new pole."
The president also acknowledged international solidarity during the coup attempt, noting that prayers were offered for Türkiye from Pakistan to Indonesia, from Bosnia to Somalia. He said the support demonstrated that "Türkiye is greater than Türkiye" and highlighted the country's global connections.
The ceremony was attended by Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli, and other senior officials. After his remarks, Erdogan held discussions with party leaders and cabinet members.
Türkiye has conducted multiple cross-border operations against Kurdish militant groups since 2016, citing national security concerns. The government maintains that eliminating what it considers terrorist threats along its borders is essential for regional stability.
The July 15 coup attempt resulted in 251 deaths and led to a massive purge of suspected Gulen supporters from state institutions.
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