Turkish Embassy in London marks 7th year of 2016 defeated coup in Türkiye

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Turkish residents and diplomats in London on Friday marked the seventh anniversary of the 2016 defeated coup attempt in Türkiye by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

"Each year we commemorate July 15 as Democracy and Unity Day, reminding our children of the treacherous coup attempt," Turkish Ambassador to the UK Osman Koray Ertas said during an event at his official residence.

Those who lost their lives while resisting the coup attempt are remembered each year on July 15, Ertas said, adding that one of the fundamental things that FETO failed to comprehend was that Turkish people have historically been loyal to their state.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 252 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

"They couldn't understand this because we are talking about a group devoid of national consciousness. It is a movement that doesn't belong to this country and whose true nature remains uncertain," he underlined.

"Therefore, the Turks, who have witnessed countless pains throughout their millennia-long history and the rise and fall of numerous states, have lived in a challenging geography. They know how valuable the state is. We proudly acknowledge the Turkish nation's commitment to democracy," he underlined.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

Ertas said that in the past seven years, state institutions in Türkiye have been purged of FETO members.

"We have achieved significant gains in the fight against FETO abroad as well. Most of the FETO-affiliated schools have been closed. Some of them have been transferred to the Turkish Maarif Foundation. Numerous FETO-affiliated charitable organizations have been shut down," as well.

He also thanked Turkish people living in London for their efforts to support the Turkish government, saying this was "an enduring struggle, and your support to our state in this endeavor is crucial."