Turkey marks the fifth year anniversary of the July 15th thwarted coup, saying it was not a typical military coup.
According to the Turkey Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, there is no appropriate word to describe what happened on the day.
Baytaktar spoke in Abuja during the tree planting and film show in commemoration of the ill fated coup attempt.
“It is impossible to find the appropriate words to describe the brutality and treachery that the conspirators displayed that night. It was the worst act of terror in the history of the Turkish Republic, Bayraktar said.
He said the coupists committed lethal acts of terrorism against innocent civilians who took to the streets to defend their democratic institutions.
He also said the perpetrators of the coup did not spare their comrades in arms and commanders who refused to take part in the attempt.
They used fighter jets to bomb the Turkish Parliament, the Presidential Compound, the National Intelligence Headquarters, and Special Forces Headquarters in an effort to subdue the resistance against them.
He therefore said, “July 15 was an important trial for the strength and perseverance of the Turkish democracy. We are proud that with the will of Turkish people, we have passed this test.
“It was the people of Turkey from all backgrounds and political views who resisted and displayed a historic example of solidarity as they stood selflessly in front of the tanks and reclaimed their democratic rights.
“Sadly, on that night 251 Turkish citizens lost their lives and more than 2000 people got wounded.”
On the fifth anniversary of the coup, he said, “Today, we gathered together to commemorate their sacrifices. We will plant trees to honour the lives lost. We will inaugurate our “July 15: Victory Day” photo exhibition to mark their great struggle to protect democracy. And we will watch the movie documentary “The Network ”, which analyses the heinous methods of the FETO Terror Group that is being replicated all around the world.”
He also warned that the group behind the coup attempt is still a threat not only to Turkey but also to all countries as they still run their operations.
“Their actions in Turkey should be considered as a wake-up call for other countries,” he added.
