Yıldız Technical University organized the “July 15 Epic” program—featuring a panel discussion, an exhibition, and heroic folk songs—as part of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day celebrations. Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu, Rector of the National Defense University, who participated in the program, stated, “This uprising was part of FETÖ’s plan to occupy and fragment Turkey.”

On the 10th anniversary of the treacherous coup attempt targeting the national will, we commemorated our martyrs and expressed our gratitude to our veterans through the “July 15 Epic” program held at the YTÜ Davutpaşa Historic Hamam Cultural Center. Prior to the program, the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Exhibition was inaugurated. The July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day program, which began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, featured Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu, Rector of the National Defense University, as a guest speaker. The program continued with a “Songs of Heroism” concert performed by YTÜ Lecturer Dr. Erdal Şahin.  

Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik: July 15 is the moment when the spirit of the National Struggle was reaffirmed

Delivering the opening remarks, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik, stated that July 15 marks a historic turning point when the consciousness of being a nation regained its strength. Noting that July 15 left indelible marks on our collective memory, Debik said:

“July 15 is the night when the national will shaped history. It is an exceptional moment when consciousness transformed into courage. July 15 is the date when the sense of national identity was reclaimed. It is the night when collective memory converged with collective courage. It is a turning point where differences united under a single national will. In short, July 15 is the moment when the spirit of the National Struggle was re-manifested in the 21st century.”

“Our nation stood up for its democracy and independence”

Debik stated that on the night of July 15, the Turkish nation, under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and alongside the security forces and our heroic army, defended its democracy, independence, and constitutional order, adding that the will demonstrated in the squares has gone down in history. Debik said, “I commemorate our martyrs, who demonstrated that will at the cost of their lives, with mercy and gratitude, and I wish our veterans good health and a long life.”

“The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours” Emphasis

Noting that this year’s commemoration programs were held under the theme “The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours,” Prof. Dr. Debik said that this theme most powerfully expresses the Turkish nation’s understanding of independence throughout history. Prof. Dr. Debik said, “The will is ours because the Turkish nation has never wavered in its resolve to defend its homeland and independence throughout history. Victory is ours because this nation has won all its victories through its courage, self-sacrifice, and unshakable faith.”

“We are uniting science with a sense of national responsibility”

Emphasizing that YTÜ is a university that produces science and technology while also nurturing individuals committed to national values, Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik said, “We embrace a higher education philosophy that unites knowledge with justice, academia with conscience, and science with a sense of national responsibility. While educating young people who develop technology, conduct research, and achieve international success, we also view raising individuals who are loyal to their homeland, flag, nation, and national will as one of our primary responsibilities.”

Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu: July 15 Was Part of a Plan to Invade Turkey

Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu, Rector of the National Defense University, made notable remarks during the discussion titled “July 15: History, Memory, and National Will,” moderated by YTÜ Lecturer Dr. Erdal Şahin.

Emphasizing that July 15 was not a classic military coup attempt, Rector Afyoncu stated, “I do not believe we have yet fully grasped the significance of July 15 in Turkey. This uprising was not a coup or a coup attempt in the classical sense. It was part of FETÖ’s long-term plan aimed at occupying Turkey, fragmenting the country, and plunging it into chaos,” he said.

“The goal was to plunge Turkey into civil war”

In his speech, Afyoncu offered his assessment of the night of the coup and noted that the plan was not limited to simply seizing power. Stating that the goals included opening the borders, directing terrorist organizations into Turkey, and creating a prolonged environment of chaos, Afyoncu described the events as a comprehensive operation with international dimensions.

“FETÖ infiltrated the state over the course of decades”

Afyoncu noted that the organization had systematically placed students in military high schools and military academies, particularly starting in the 1970s, and said it had pursued a long-term strategy of staffing key positions.

Afyoncu stated that organization members were systematically assigned to various fields—from law enforcement to the judiciary, and from education to the Turkish Armed Forces—and noted that despite investigations conducted in 1982 and 1986, the network could not be dismantled.

Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu noted that the organization increased its influence within the state during the Ergenekon and Balyoz trials, adding that a large number of military personnel were purged during this period. He noted that the unusual departure of hundreds of students from the Military Academy in certain years was also one of the indicators of this systematic purge.

“Our people’s resistance thwarted the grand plan”

Afyoncu said that the people’s swift mobilization into the streets on the night of July 15 was decisive in the failure of the coup attempt, noting that the people heroically thwarted the attempt by lying in front of tanks and acting in concert with security forces. Prof. Dr. Afyoncu said, “July 15 represents a significant act of resistance in the history of world democracy. That night once again demonstrated that no power other than the elected will can seize control of the government by force of arms.”

“The FETÖ threat has not completely ended”

Concluding his speech, Prof. Dr. Afyoncu noted that it is not possible to say the organization has been completely eradicated, adding that traces of its structure persist in various fields, particularly within universities. Stressing the need for the public to remain vigilant, Prof. Dr. Afyoncu concluded his remarks by emphasizing that loyalty to the state, the nation, and the flag is crucial for Turkey’s future.

July 15 Exhibition

The program, which featured a concert titled “Songs of Heroism” by YTÜ Lecturer Dr. Erdal Şahin, also included the opening of the “July 15 Democracy and National Unity Exhibition.” The exhibition, held at the Historic Hamam Cultural Center, will be open to visitors throughout the week.