TRNC commemorates July 15 defeated coup anniversary

TRNC officials and Ankara's diplomatic corps gathered in Lefkosa on Tuesday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the July 15, 2016 defeated coup attempt, honoring the 251 martyrs who perished resisting FETO's bid to overthrow Türkiye's government. The ceremony marked Democracy and National Unity Day with a series of tributes to those who fell defending the constitutional order against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization's insurrection.

The event took place at Lefkosa National Garden under the auspices of the Union of International Democrats (UID), drawing TRNC Parliament Speaker Ziya Ozturkler, Turkish Ambassador Ali Murat Basceri, cabinet ministers, lawmakers and civil society representatives. Following a moment of silence and the Turkish national anthem, attendees heard a Quran recitation before speakers took the podium to address the significance of the date.

Officials honor martyrs

UID TRNC Regional President Fadil Sanverdi paid tribute to those killed during the failed coup, stating that the martyrs had sacrificed their lives for the nation while expressing gratitude to veterans who survived the clashes. Ozturkler told the gathering that "the treacherous coup attempt against our motherland was thwarted thanks to the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the legendary resistance of the Turkish nation," adding that Turkish Cypriots stood firmly beside Türkiye throughout the night of the insurrection.

'Nation's will prevailed'

Ambassador Basceri delivered a sharp condemnation of the terrorist organization, saying FETO had manipulated national and spiritual values to infiltrate state institutions and undermine the popular will. "On July 15, 2016, FETO collided with the will of the people," Basceri said, noting that "This nation once again proved on July 15, 2016 that no one can betray its will, its democracy, its republic founded on Ataturk's principles and reforms, or its state." The evening concluded with a conversation featuring Cevat Olcok, brother of July 15 victim Erol Olcok, and a musical performance by folk artist Ugur Isilak.