Dr. Mehmet Mustafa Göksu
On the night of July 15, 2016, the Republic of Türkiye faced an unprecedented assault on its democracy.
The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), a clandestine cult led by Fetullah Gülen—residing in the United States since 1999—attempted to overthrow the democratically elected government through a bloody coup d’état.
It targeted core institutions of our constitutional order, including the Parliament and the Presidential Complex, attacked civilians with tanks and helicopters, and tried to assassinate our President.
This attack, which martyred 251 citizens and injured over 2,000, was not merely an internal threat.
It was an outright act of terrorism against the national will.
What set this night apart was the extraordinary response of the Turkish people: millions poured into the streets, defended the institutions of the state with bare hands, and declared unambiguously that sovereignty belongs to the nation, not to shadowy networks.
A Cult that Corrupted Education and Religion
FETO has long masked itself behind educational and charitable facades.
Its network of schools, NGOs, and media outlets in over 160 countries serves a single purpose: infiltration and control.
Its so-called “educational” institutions indoctrinated generations with loyalty not to ethical or national values, but to a self-proclaimed messiah figure.
Its abuse of religion—issuing fatwas justifying deceit, treason, even murder—perverted Islam for political ends.
Even after the death of Gülen in 2024, the organization’s international structure remains active.
Its operatives continue to manipulate narratives, launder funds, and exploit host countries’ tolerance in pursuit of their hidden agenda.
From Africa to Central Asia, the Balkans to South America, its presence is a persistent threat.
Post-Coup Türkiye: A Story of Institutional Renewal and National Awakening
The July 15 coup attempt was not only a moment of trauma—it was a watershed moment that triggered a comprehensive national renewal.
Politically, Türkiye undertook sweeping reforms to reinforce civilian oversight and democratic resilience.
The failed coup deepened national consciousness about the fragility and value of democratic governance.
Through constitutional amendments, structural reforms, and judicial overhaul, Türkiye strengthened the foundations of its Republic.
Economically, despite facing regional crises, a global pandemic, and post-war inflationary pressures, Türkiye has sustained its developmental momentum.
In 2024, exports reached a record-breaking 262 billion USD, with projections for 2025 surpassing 270 billion USD. GDP per capita exceeded 15,000 USD, affirming Türkiye’s position among the top 20 economies globally.
In the field of education, the Turkish state carried out a significant restructuring domestically by transferring institutions that were previously under the control of the FETO terrorist organization to the Ministry of National Education.
This move strengthened national sovereignty in education and enabled the state to fully reclaim control over the country’s educational infrastructure.
Internationally, the Turkish Maarif Foundation has emerged as a key global actor in the field of education.
The foundation took over the management of schools that had long been exploited by FETO in several countries and expanded its presence worldwide.
Today, the foundation operates 586 educational institutions, dormitories and Türkiye research centers in 55 countries, maintains official relations with 108 states, and provides educational services to more than 70,000 students.
In the defense sector, the country achieved transformative breakthroughs.
From indigenous drones to advanced missile systems, Turkish defense exports rose significantly with clients in over 180 countries.
This strategic autonomy reflects not only technological progress but also a vision for secure sovereignty.
A Recalibrated Foreign Policy: Sovereignty, Principle, and Strategic Balance
Following July 15, Türkiye relentlessly continued to follow its foreign policy around the principles of strategic autonomy, multilateral diplomacy, and principled realism that yield substantial outcomes exerting crucial influence on regional and global landscape.
In Libya, Syria, the South Caucasus, and the Black Sea, Türkiye has acted as both a stabilizer and a mediator. Its pivotal role in brokering the 2022 Black Sea Grain Deal between Ukraine and Russia proved its capacity as a responsible regional power.
At the same time, Türkiye remained a staunch defender of justice—particularly in the Palestinian cause, rejecting Western double standards and emphasizing international legality.
Today, with 262 diplomatic missions, Türkiye ranks among the top three in global diplomatic presence.
This robust network facilitates Türkiye’s outreach and advocacy against terrorism, injustice, and imbalance in international governance.
Qatar’s Timely Support: A Gesture Etched in Memory
One of the most significant moments of solidarity in July 2016 came from the State of Qatar.
Within hours of the coup attempt, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani personally contacted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressing full support for Türkiye’s constitutional order.
This was more than a diplomatic gesture—it was an act of principled brotherhood.
In the years since, Türkiye–Qatar relations have grown into a strategic partnership rooted in shared values, mutual trust, and regional vision.
The High Strategic Committee, which convened its 10th session in Ankara in 2024, has resulted in over 100 cooperation agreements spanning defense, energy, education, investment, and media.
A Call to the International Community: Vigilance and Accountability
The international threat posed by FETO is not abstract—it is documented, enduring, and borderless.
Türkiye’s global campaign against FETO has led to 55 countries closing or transferring FETO-affiliated schools, with many of them now managed by the Turkish Maarif Foundation.
Türkiye calls on all nations to scrutinize FETO-linked institutions operating under the guise of education or civil society.
Silence and inaction not only endanger national integrity but embolden transnational terror networks.
The Legacy of July 15: A Nation Reborn
As we mark the 9th anniversary of July 15, we remember not only the lives lost but also the values defended: freedom, democracy, and sovereignty.
The night of the coup attempt has become another resolute chapter in Türkiye’s modern trajectory—proof that a nation united cannot be defeated.
Türkiye remains vigilant and committed to its democratic principles, ready to defend its institutions and work with its friends and allies for a world free from terrorism, manipulation, and tyranny.
Let July 15 not only be remembered as a night of tragedy, but also as a turning point, a moment where Türkiye chose the future, reaffirmed its sovereignty, and emerged stronger, wiser, and more united.
