Erzurum Governor Aydın Baruş published a message on the 10th anniversary of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.
In his message, Governor Baruş stated that FETO's treacherous coup attempt was eliminated by the unshakable will of the nation, and emphasized that July 15 was not only a victory, but a spirit of resurrection that guided Türkiye's future.
"July 15 is an epic written by our nation"
In his message, Erzurum Governor Aydın Baruş said, "We are on the 10th anniversary of one of the biggest breaking points of Turkish democracy, the magnificent epic written against the traitors who wanted to shackle the will of our beloved nation. 'The Will is Ours, Victory is Ours!' I greet with my most heartfelt feelings all our citizens who have filled the squares with undiminished pride and unshakable faith for years. The night of July 15, 2016 was a dark night when the FETO terrorist organization, which had infiltrated our state, targeted our national existence, unity and independence. However, that pitch darkness turned into a bright morning with the unwavering will of our beloved nation, who stood in front of tanks and shielded her chest from planes. The lives sacrificed and the blood shed that night not only stopped a coup attempt, but also announced to the whole world the strongest manifestation of the integration of the state and the nation. Our heroic nation, who flocked to the squares upon the call of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, shielded his chest from the fire-breathing weapons and consigned this cursed attack to the dustbin of history. Erzurum, the founding city of national will and independence on the stage of history, laid the foundation for our Republic with the decisions "The homeland is a whole, it cannot be divided" and "It is essential to make the national will dominant" at the Erzurum Congress a century ago. On the night of July 15, Erzurum was one of the first cities to rush to the squares with the same noble spirit and defend its free will and democracy with the loudest voice. The 10 years that have passed show that this struggle is not just a commemoration, but that the spirit of resurrection has turned into a great spiritual value that strengthens our nation. Today, Turkey is walking towards the future with the vision of the Turkish Century, from the defense industry to domestic technology, from economic moves to its dignified stance in foreign policy, with the moral strength it receives from the July 15 resurrection spirit. The will that was manifested in the squares on July 15 lives on today in our UAVs in the skies, in our ships in the seas, in our factories and, most importantly, in the hearts of our young people who look to the future with hope. The FETO terrorist organization and all other treacherous structures trying to set a trap for Türkiye should know that this nation will continue to write epics from now on, as it has throughout history, and will not surrender to any force that aims at its independence. As long as we exist in these lands, we will continue to remain vigilant against all kinds of tutelage and treason plans, with the strength we derive from our state tradition. We will never forget the treacherous FETO terrorist organization and its dirty ambitions, and we will not let them be forgotten. On this meaningful day, I wish God's mercy to all our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for this sacred country on the night of July 15, and to all our martyrs who made these lands our homeland throughout history, and I express my gratitude to our veterans. "I would like to thank my grateful fellow citizens of Erzurum who have always remained loyal to their state, flag and national will, and I wish our national unity and solidarity to last forever." - ERZURUM