Erdoğan announces end of nationwide protests after failed coup attempt

“I thank my citizens who declared their devotion to their country and nation… with enthusiasm in the democracy watches. May God protect our country and nation forever. Right now, we are taking a break from these democracy watches but we will not remove these watches from our souls and hearts,” Erdoğan said, while addressing citizens at the presidential palace in Ankara late on Aug. 10.

Erdoğan also stressed that citizens participating in the democracy watches had made history, vowing further solidarity regardless of the country’s differences.

“You wrote history without making any distinction or political view at all times with artists, sporters, politicians and all media. For that reason the world will be amazed by your unity,” Erdoğan said.

Speaking at a mass rally with the participation of two opposition party leaders in the Yenikapı neighborhood of Istanbul on Aug. 7, the president had announced that the democracy watches would continue until Aug. 10.

Thousands of flag waving citizens have taken to the streets and filled central squares across the country to protest the coup attempt for nearly a month since Erdoğan’s call to go out on the night of the failed coup attempt.