BARTIN (IHA) – At the "Story of a Struggle" conference held at Bartın University (BARÜ) on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, Security Policy Expert Mete Yarar said that July 15 was a historical turning point that changed the fate of Türkiye.

Bartın Governor Dr. attended the program organized in Kutlubey Campus Fatih Sultan Mehmet Conference Hall, within the scope of the theme "Our Will, Our Victory" determined by the Presidency Directorate of Communications, in cooperation with Bartın Governorship and Bartın University. Nurtaç Arslan, Garrison Commander Naval Senior Colonel Serhat Sır, provincial protocol, academic and administrative staff and many citizens attended.

The program started after a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem.

"The will of our nation is above all kinds of threats"

Making the opening speech, BARÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akkaya stated that July 15 was an attack on national will and independence and that the Turkish nation displayed an exemplary resistance to the world that night.

Akkaya said, "Ten years ago, our national will, independence and future were targeted. However, the will of our nation has once again shown that it is the greatest power that stands above any threat it faces. The saying 'Our Will, Our Victory' is the strongest expression of the common will of our nation throughout history." he said.

"July 15 was a turning point that changed Türkiye's fate"

BARÜ Rector Advisor Dr., who moderated the conference. Lecturer Member Özkan Avcı stated that July 15 was a coup attempt against the survival of the state and the will of the nation, and that the nation prevented this attempt with the resistance put forward under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The speaker of the conference, Security Policy Expert Mete Yarar, stated that July 15 was not only a coup attempt, but also a comprehensive invasion attempt against Türkiye's independence.

Yarar said, "To understand July 15, it is not enough to just look at that night. It is necessary to evaluate the before, after and today together. The national will put forward that night not only prevented the coup, but also created an important breaking point in Türkiye's destiny. If the coup attempt had been successful, our country would have faced much more severe consequences." he said.

Emphasizing that the resistance shown by the Turkish nation is unique in the world, Yarar said, "That night, our citizens faced the tanks and barrels unarmed. As the violence increased, the number of people in the squares did not decrease, on the contrary, it increased. There is no other example in the world where the people prevented the coup without weapons. If we can be here in peace today, we owe it to our heroes and veterans who were martyred that night." he said.

"The difference between September 12 and July 15 was asked"

In the question-answer section of the conference, AK Party Bartın Provincial Chairman Yaşar Arslan asked the difference between the September 12, 1980 coup and the July 15 coup attempt.

Answering the question, Mete Yarar said, "They are our fathers, grandfathers and ancestors. They raised us. We can achieve these things today with the values ​​they left us. We were able to show this resistance as a nation because our yeast is strong." he said.

Following the conference, the "15 July Poster Exhibition" prepared by Bartın Vocational School Graphic Design Program students and the book exhibition consisting of 15 July themed works in BARÜ Library were opened in the foyer area.

Bartın Governor Dr. Nurtaç Arslan and protocol members examined the works in the exhibition and thanked those who contributed to the preparation of the program. - BARTIN