The victory of the Turkish nation on 15 July celebrated in Komotini

The epic victory of the Turkish nation in the face of the coup attempt carried out by the members of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation (FETO) in the motherland on 15 July 2016 was celebrated in the city of Komotini in Western Thrace as well as in the motherland.

The Consulate General of Türkiye in Komotini organised a commemoration event on the occasion of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day.

The programme of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day event, which took place in the garden of the Consulate General at 10.00 today, started with a minute of silence for all the martyrs who were targeted by the treacherous bullets of the traitors in order to protect their homeland on the night of 15 July.

Then the National Anthem was recited. In the continuation of the programme, Ismail Ahmet recited Aşr-ı Şerif for the martyrs of 15 July and other martyrs. The speech indicating the meaning and importance of the day was made by Consul General of Komotini Aykut Ünal.

Sharing his views on the coup attempt 7 years ago by the members of the FETO Terrorist Organisation and the epic victories won as a result of the Turkish nation's reaction and courage to fight against it, Consul General Aykut Ünal thanked the Turks from Western Thrace and those who participated in the commemoration day, who have always stood by the motherland Türkiye in difficult times and have never withheld their support.

Consul General Aykut Ünal drew attention to the following points in his speech:

"The treacherous coup attempt of 15 July, which targeted the Turkish democracy and nation, was thwarted by the struggle of the people and the security forces, who acted with the power they received from the love of homeland and nation in their hearts, by protecting democracy and the administration elected by their own will.

Today, on the seventh commemoration day of this struggle, we have come together on the occasion of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day.

Under the leadership of our President, the heroes of Türkiye's century said "stop" to the treacherous coup attempt and did not let the coup plotters pass. 

In the face of those who bombed our Gazi Parliament and opened fire on defenceless civilians, the great Turkish nation showed unparalleled heroism with its courage and determination, and defended Turkish democracy at the cost of its life.

In this glorious resistance, 251 of our heroes reached the rank of martyrdom and more than two thousand of our heroes were wounded.

The scoundrels hiding in the honourable Turkish uniform, which is valued for its past victories, martyred civilian-military-police patriots without blinking their eyes, and showed that they disregarded the will of the nation by targeting our Veteran Assembly.

They have taken their place in history as traitors who were raised to drag the country into chaos and sold their brains and minds to a madman.

History will not forgive them, as well as those who sympathise with them, those who justify them and those who support them in any way.

As in all the difficulties faced by the Motherland, we closely felt the support of our esteemed compatriots during the treacherous coup attempt.

The late Mustafa Cambaz, who was martyred with two bullets in his chest as a result of the fire opened by the coup plotters in Istanbul-Çengelköy, became the symbol of the stance of our Western Thracian compatriots against the coup attempt. 

Dear participants,

The judicial process has revealed that members and associates of the Fetullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) are cancer cells that are harmful, of no use to anyone but themselves, divide society and erode institutions.

The FETO organisation continues to exist with different formations abroad.

This organisation is also a threat to the countries and societies where it exists.

It is our rightful expectation that the support for FETÖ be terminated, all of its seemingly legal activities be scrutinised and all fugitives be extradited.

We draw the attention of our interlocutors at every opportunity that FETÖ is a major threat to every country where it is present.

We continue our fight against FETÖ with a strong will both at home and abroad. We are conducting this struggle within the boundaries of the rule of law and on the basis of the principles of protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Our esteemed citizens and our valuable compatriots,

On the night of 15 July, I once again wish God's mercy to our 251 martyrs who breathed their last breath under the bullets and bombs of the traitors and my condolences to their relatives.

On behalf of myself and my colleagues, I would like to thank you for being with us on this meaningful day, which shows how Turkish democracy is based on solid foundations with the heroism of our people."

After Consul General Aykut Ünal completed his speech, İbrahim Şerif, President of the Consultative Committee of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace (BTTADK) and Mufti of Komotini, prayed for the martyrs of 15 July and other martyrs.

Finally, the participants of the commemoration event organised on the occasion of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day were served refreshments