Triumph for democracy over terror

It has been a year since we thwarted the bloodiest terrorist attack in the history of our republic.

Turkey has proven its resilience, ability to recover and strength in the course of last year.

It is now necessary to make an evaluation of the past year and look forward.

ATTACKERS

First of all, we should remember what we have been through.

What happened that night was an attack on Turkey by traitors, who infiltrated our military.

We were confronted by murderers, who bombed their national parliament, and destroyed the headquarters of special police forces that fight terrorist organisations.

DEATH

They drove tanks over unarmed civilians, and fired from fighter jets and attack helicopters.

We had never before been through such brutality. The terrorists killed 250 civilians and 2,000 were injured. 

Looking back, a sense of pride has emerged from this bitter experience.

RESILIENCE

One is the courage and determination of the Turkish people.

Our citizens from all backgrounds and political views took to the streets against the putschists.

Our television channels continued broadcasting despite the threats and raids by coup plotters.

DEMOCRACY

The Turkish nation became one. Second, the nation defended democracy and will continue to do so.

My people demonstrated that only governments taking office through democratic processes and the will of the people would rule Turkey, and not the armed groups.

We passed the tough democracy test as a country. 

TREACHERY

But the question my grandchild asked me that night will never fade away from my mind is: “Grandpa, aren’t these our soldiers?”

Indeed, what kind of mindset would drive a person to attack his own people, institutions, symbols and leaders in such a brutal manner?

The answer underscores the nature of the treachery we are facing.

FETULLAH GÜLEN

That night, we were confronted by a criminal network, blindly following the orders of ringleader Fetullah Gülen via a professor of theology.

We are talking about a gang that failed to grasp the notion of the glorious millennial history of Turkish soldiers, saluting the manager of a company owned by the Gülenist Terror Organisation and the ostensible owner of a school operated by the organisation at the military base they used as their headquarters.

As a matter of fact, my government had actually unmasked Fetullah Gülen and taken action accordingly.

PROBE

We had already been exerting efforts to unveil the existence of this structure inside the State and had made significant progress.

However, the July 15 coup attempt last year bitterly revealed that the threat we are facing is beyond our estimation; it is much deeper.

The magnitude of the plot masterminded by Fetullah Gülen for the past 40 years to seize control of Turkey was exposed.

FETÖ members had acted unnoticed inside the capillaries of the system and reached almost all the power centres like a viral infection virus that gradually takes over the vital organs of a body.

Comprehensive administrative, criminal and legal investigations have been conducted.

BRAINWASH
The evidence has shown that we are facing a heretical, esoteric belief system built by Fetullah Gülen.

The schools and dorms of the organisation operated as brainwashing and recruitment centres.

Members indoctrinated in these institutions and loyal to the mastermind, whom they believe to be “the messiah”, infiltrated state apparatus.

FINANCE

The followers were promoted to key positions.

These people hatched plots such as cheating in public service entrance tests, illegal wiretappings, blackmail and sham trials.

The organisation had been financed through so-called charities and foundations.

Billions of US dollars have been laundered via large firms and banks.

INFLUENCE

Its media branch functioned as a propaganda tool.

Is operated in cell structures, recognising members with code names.

We have destroyed the backbone of the organisation. However, the threat is not limited to Turkey.

The organisation has similar structures in other countries, where they continue to plant treacherous seeds.

SAFEGUARD

They are seeking global economic and political influence for their survival.

Turkey proved to the world that democracy is not a cheap victory, and is precious enough to die for. 

Our primary duty is to take measures to prevent this from ever happening again.

We will manage this challenging process within the constitutional order.

Turkish democracy was targeted and our democracy won.

So our aim and endeavours will be to take the necessary steps in time to crown our democracy.

Mr Yildirim is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey