Turkish Ambassador to Cairo, Salih Mutlu Şen, commemorated Saturday his country’s Democracy and National Unity Day, normally marked on July 15.
The occasion dates back to July 15, 2016, when a faction of the Turkish Armed Forces, known as the Peace at Home Council, attempted a coup against the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The government accused the Fethullah Gülen movement, widely known as Hizmet movement, of standing behind the attempted coup.
The movement has been labelled as a ‘terrorist organisation’ in Türkiye since then.
Over 300 people were believed to have died in the violence that ensued because of the coup attempt.
“July 15 marks a victory for democracy,” Ambassador Mutlu Şen said. “All segments of society became one body around a single purpose: the protection of their state, flag and democracy,” he added at a reception he organised in his residence in Cairo on this occasion.
He said Turkish citizens defended their democracy against what he described as the ‘terrorists’ who bombed the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
The assembly, Ambassador Mutlu Şen said, symbolises the Turkish national will.
“On this occasion, we commemorate our martyrs with mercy and wish our veterans good health and well-being,” the ambassador said.
“We pay all our respects to our beloved and heroic nation,” he added.
He said fighting against the Fethullah Gülen movement was only one aspect of his country’s fight against national and international threats.
“Our country fights and will continue to fight against all the threats it faces to protect its sovereign rights and the unity and integrity of its territory,” the Turkish ambassador said.
He added that his country would celebrate the centenary of the Turkish Republic this year under the theme of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, namely ‘Heroes of the Century of Türkiye’.
The reception also included a photo exhibition commemorating the Democracy and National Unity Day.
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