Rector of Türkiye’s National Defense University, Erhan Afyoncu:
In my view, the events of July 15 were not simply a coup attempt by a group capable of taking over the government. Rather, they would have dragged Türkiye into a civil war.
The true heroes were the people, who took to the streets. They were joined by patriotic members of the police and the armed forces who resisted the plot.
The events of July 15 resulted in the deaths of 253 people, who are regarded as martyrs, and 1,737 people being wounded and recognized as veterans.
It marked the country's escape from what could have been a far greater catastrophe.