Turkey Commemorates Failed Coup, Seeks Indonesia's Support Against FETÖ

Jakarta - Turkey commemorated the failed coup attempt of 15 July 2016 with an event in Jakarta on Wednesday, using the occasion to call on friendly nations, including Indonesia, for support against the network it holds responsible. The ceremony, marking the Day of Democracy and National Unity, was organised by the Turkish Embassy and the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications.

Burhanettin Duran, Head of the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, described the night of the coup as a defining moment for the nation’s future. He recalled how a faction within the military, using heavy weaponry, attacked strategic locations including the parliament, media offices, and the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul. Duran credited the failure of the coup to the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the civilian resistance that took to the streets.

Duran explicitly linked the coup attempt to the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the network associated with US-based cleric Fethullah Gülen. He stressed that FETÖ poses a threat not only to Turkey but to any country where it operates, and expressed hope that allied nations, including Indonesia, would stand with Ankara in combating the group. The failed putsch resulted in 253 deaths and thousands of injuries, leading to a massive purge of state institutions suspected of being infiltrated by the organisation.

Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia, Talip Küçükcan, detailed how rogue military elements broke the chain of command, deploying tanks and fighter jets against civilians, the parliament, and the presidential palace. He praised the resilience of the Turkish people and the strength of democratic institutions in the face of the threat. The commemoration also included a discussion with academics and experts from both countries, focusing on modern challenges to democracy such as disinformation and narrative manipulation.