Erdogan arrives at pro-democracy rally in Istanbul

ISTANBUL (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and leaders of prominent political parties have arrived at the massive "Democracy and Martyrs’ Rally" being held in Istanbul to protest against the July 15 foiled coup.

Erdogan’s helicopter arrived at Istanbul's Yenikapi rally stage following Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, who is also the leader of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

Leaders of the opposition parties, including Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli are also attending the rally.

Several citizens from Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and East Turkestan can be seen carrying the Turkish flags at the rally. All streets from the Aksaray district to Yeni Kapi are packed with massive crowds, carrying the Turkish flags.

A collection of Turkish celebrities is also there, including world motorcycling champion Kenan Sofuoglu. He left Sakarya in western Turkey with a group of bikers.

Only Turkish national flags have been permitted, not those of political parties in the rally. Smaller rallies will also take place in every Turkish province.

The rally was set up under the aegis of the Presidency and organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality together with the Office of the Governor.

The Yenikapi event will mark the end of weeks of “democracy watch” rallies held in cities across the country since the defeated coup, which martyred 240 people and wounded nearly 2,200 more.

A huge stage has been erected in the area, as well as television screens and sound systems.

Air-supported security measures have been taken around the rally point. Around 13,000 people, aside from police officers, will be on duty to organize the event and perform other technical duties.

Helicopters, ambulances and more than 700 medical personnel are also on duty.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the coup attempt was organized by followers of Fetullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999.

Gulen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.

Erdogan repeatedly said that he saw no difference between terrorist groups such as the PKK, PYD, YPG, and Daesh and U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen's FETO.