Turkish Ambassador: The Will of the People Overthrew the Coup and Consolidated Democracy on the Anniversary of July 15

Osama Diab

Tuba Nour Sonmez, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Kuwait, affirmed that the anniversary of July 15, Democracy and National Unity Day, holds a special and profound place in the Turkish national consciousness, as it represents a pivotal milestone in the history of the modern Turkish Republic and embodies the Turkish people’s commitment to their democracy, sovereignty, and national will.

This statement was made during an event commemorating the tenth anniversary of the failed coup attempt that shook Turkey on July 15, 2016. The event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Kuwait at the Embassy’s Diwaniya. The ceremony was held on July 16, 2026, after being postponed by one day out of respect for the mourning period declared in Kuwait following the passing of His Highness the Amir, the Father of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The event was attended by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Human Rights Affairs, Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Al-Duwaikh; Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Organizations Affairs, Ambassador Sadiq Maaref; a number of ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Kuwait; representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; members of the Turkish community; and media representatives.

The event began with a minute of silence, followed by the playing of the Turkish national anthem in honor of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the treacherous coup attempt carried out by the "Fethullah Terrorist Organization" (FETO) on July 15, 2016, as well as all martyrs of Turkey. This was followed by recitations from the Holy Quran for the souls of the martyrs.

In a speech delivered at the event, the Ambassador stated that that night represented one of the most serious challenges faced by the country, noting that the coup attempt targeted the constitutionally elected government, the constitutional system, national sovereignty, and the democratic values upon which the Turkish Republic is founded.

She explained that the "Fethullah Terrorist Organization" (FETÖ), which stands behind the coup attempt, spent years building a secret network under the guise of educational and community work before attempting to seize control of the state on the night of July 15 through elements infiltrated within the armed forces.

She added that the coup attempt included an assassination attempt on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, shelling of the Turkish Parliament building, targeting state institutions, and attacking innocent civilians, in an effort to impose the will of a clandestine organization on the state and the Turkish people.

The Ambassador emphasized that what the coup plotters did not anticipate was the firm will of the Turkish people, who took to the streets by the millions to defend democracy, united across different political and social affiliations around a single goal: protecting the constitutional system and popular will.

She further noted that the courage, determination, and sacrifices of the Turkish people in confronting the coup served as irrefutable proof of the Turkish Republic’s commitment to democratic values. She affirmed that July 15 had become a historical turning point, demonstrating the people’s steadfastness in democracy, national will, and independence.

She pointed out that the coup attempt was thwarted by the morning of July 16, but it left heavy losses, with 253 citizens martyred, more than 2,200 people injured, and significant damage to public institutions and national property.

The Ambassador stated that the investigations and judicial proceedings following the events revealed the true nature of the "FETÖ" organization as a highly disciplined secret group possessing its own leadership structure, operational mechanisms, financial networks, and recruitment methods. She clarified that judicial rulings, evidence, and testimonies had proven its involvement in infiltrating state institutions through illegal means, including exam manipulation, illegal wiretapping, extortion, and fabricating evidence. This confirmed that it was not a religious, educational, or civil movement, but a secret organization that systematically worked to undermine state institutions from within.

She added that Turkey continues its close cooperation with friendly countries and international partners to raise awareness of the severity of this organization, given its cross-border nature and secretive methods. She stressed that the threat it poses is not limited to Turkey’s internal affairs.

The Ambassador also affirmed that the death of the organization’s leader, Fethullah Gülen, in October 2024 does not mean the end of this threat. She explained that historical experiences prove that organizations built over decades do not disappear with the death of their leaders; their networks, organizational structures, financial resources, and ideological mechanisms remain intact, necessitating continued vigilance and zero tolerance.

During the event, a documentary film was screened covering the events of the night of July 15, 2016, highlighting the Turkish people’s resistance and heroism in defending democracy.

At the conclusion of the program, traditional Turkish "Ashura" sweets were served to the attendees, symbolizing unity, solidarity, cooperation, and sharing in Turkish culture, serving as a symbolic embodiment of the national unity and solidarity demonstrated by the Turkish people that night.

In conclusion, Ambassador Tuba Nour Sonmez affirmed that the spirit of July 15 remains alive ten years later, emphasizing that the will of peoples is stronger than any conspiracy targeting them, and that protecting democracy is a shared responsibility and a national duty.