Turkey marks ten-year anniversary of 2016 coup attempt with mass arrests

Turkey commemorated the tenth anniversary of the July 15, 2016, coup attempt with official ceremonies led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Grand National Assembly. Officials reported that the 2016 attempt resulted in 253 deaths and approximately 2,000 injuries. In his address, Erdogan reiterated that the FETO organization, led by the late Fethullah Gulen, remains a significant national security threat. Coinciding with the anniversary, Turkish authorities launched a nationwide operation across 81 provinces to detain individuals allegedly linked to the group. Justice and Interior Ministry reports indicate that 973 arrest warrants have been issued, with 704 suspects already in custody. Among the detainees are 170 active public servants, including police, judicial staff, and ministry officials, alongside private sector workers. Erdogan emphasized that the government remains committed to continuing the purge of FETO-affiliated individuals from state institutions.