No network of traitors will disrupt unity in Turkey: Erdoğan

ANKARA- Anadolu Agency

No network of traitors or terrorist organizations can disrupt the unity, solidarity and brotherhood in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said July 15 on the third anniversary of the July 15 failed coup attempt.     

Addressing the public at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Erdoğan said Turkey would never be occupied by those who sold their souls to the devil.     

"On the night of July 15, they wanted to bury Turkey in darkness but failed. Allah ruined their traps," he said.     

"I salute every member of our heroic nation who stood against planes, tanks and bullets to protect the independence of our nation and the future of our country on July 15.”     

In his speech, Erdoğan applauded the soldiers and staff of the Turkish Armed Forces.      

"I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of myself and my nation to our media, non-governmental organizations and intellectuals for setting an example to the world," Erdoğan said.       

"We announced this date as a national holiday, calling it Democracy and National Unity Day for the coming generations to remember the martyrs of July 15.       

"Today, if we can speak freely, take a breath and keep working, we owe it to our martyrs, veterans and all the heroes," he said.   

Erdoğan also emphasized that those who support the opposite side on issues concerning the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus and Aegean are being fooled.       

He slammed those who see Turkey's struggle in the diplomatic, economic and military realms "as simply a political squabble.”   

On the issue of Russia's S-400 air defense system, Erdoğan said eight missiles have already arrived in Turkey and there are more to come.       

"All S-400 defense missiles will be deployed by April 2020," he said.       

Erdoğan said this was a joint investment with Russia and that the S-400s were the most powerful defense system.       

The president also attended the opening ceremony of the July 15 Memorial Museum at the former Boğaziçi (Bosphorus) Bridge, now called the July 15 Martyrs' Bridge.       

He stressed the importance of passing down history to the coming generations accurately.       

"History is not only the past of a nation but also the compass of the future," Erdoğan said.       

"When we look at our past, not only do we take a lesson, we also take strength, we get courage and inspiration.”     

Erdoğan also emphasized the importance of being conscious of history and said the government has implemented such projects to improve people's knowledge about the past.       

Turkey marks July 15 as Democracy and National Unity Day. FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup which left 251 people killed and nearly 2,200 injured.  

Ankara accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the legitimate state apparatus through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.