Türkiye marks the 6th anniversary of July 15 coup attempt

At around 10 p.m. on Friday July 15, a group of officers within the Turkish army associated with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) launched a coup attempt at the General Staff Headquarters that was suppressed after almost 22 hours.

 According to media reports, FETO’s putsch attempt was decisively put down at 8:02 p.m. on July 16.

Below is a timeline of FETO’s attempted coup and its aftermath (all in Turkish local time).

On July 15 at 22:00, shots heard inside General Staff HQ in Ankara and a helicopter fire at people outside.

Soldiers take control of state broadcaster TRT and the General Staff HQ in Ankara as troops seize Istanbul’s Bogazici (Bosphorus) and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges linking Asia and Europe.

At 22:10, the undersecretary of the Prime Ministry sets up a coordination center at the Prime Ministry in Ankara.

At 23:05, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, speaking by phone to television channels, describes unfolding events as an “insurrection”. “This will not be tolerated. Those involved will pay the heaviest price,” he says, adding that the perpetrators are a rogue faction within the army.

At 23:24, an explosion is heard at the Police Special Operations Center in the Golbasi district in southern Ankara.

At 23:30, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar is held hostage by pro-coup soldiers.

At 00:00, security sources say the coup attempt is being conducted by officers linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) led by U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

On July 16 at 00:01, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan leaves Marmaris, a district in Türkiye’s southwest, for Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul.

At 00:09, Military helicopters open fire on National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Headquarters; MIT forces return fire.

At 00:13, TRT news anchor is forced to read a declaration by pro-coup soldiers claiming they have taken control of the nation as the “Committee of Peace at Home”. Presidential sources make it clear the Turkish Armed Forces haven't released the declaration, saying: “It is a fake declaration.” Shortly afterwards, satellite communications agency TURKSAT suspends TRT’s transmissions.

At 00:26, President Erdogan addresses the country via mobile telephone, urging the people to “take to the streets” to resist the coup attempt and defend democracy. He says those responsible for the coup attempt against the national will are to receive “the appropriate response”, whether they are a minority group within the Turkish Armed Forces or in other state institutions.

At 00:30, Turkish citizens take to the streets to protest the coup attempt after call of President Erdogan as well as the calls for unity aired from mosque minarets in 81 provinces upon the instruction of Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs.

At 00:35, The first investigation into the coup attempt is launched in Istanbul, with Kucukcekmece Chief Prosecutor Ali Dogan saying pro-coup soldiers will be detained wherever they are found.  

At 00:57, A military helicopter bombs a facility belonging to Turkish satellite agency TURKSAT in Ankara’s Golbasi district.

At 01:01, Fighter jets and helicopters attack the Ankara Police Department. Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik says: “This is a coup attempt by a junta within the Turkish Armed Forces.”

At 01:30; security forces return fire on pro-coup armored vehicles near the Prime Ministry. Parliamentary Speaker Ismail Kahraman arrives at coordination center and announces that the national assembly will remain open.

At 01:39, Parliamentary General Assembly opens with the participation of assembly speaker and MPs.

At 02:00, first group of pro-coup soldiers, all of whom are alleged FETO members, is detained.

At 02:30, Golbasi Special Operations Center is bombed by procoup aircraft, martyring 17 police officers.

At 02:35, Citizens and police neutralize five soldiers, including a senior military officer, who has tried to seize control. 13 soldiers, including three senior officers, are detained while attempting to take Presidential Complex in Ankara.  

At 02:42, Parliament is bombed, injuring a number of police officers and staff and damaging the parliament building.

At 02:49, Parliament is bombed again; speaker and MPs take cover in assembly’s bomb shelter.

At 02:55, PM Yildirim, speaking live again by phone to private broadcaster NTV, compares those attacking institutions with jets to members of a terror organization. He describes such acts as “unbecoming of any military officer or soldier serving under the glorious flag of our Armed Forces.”

At 03:00, TRT resumes broadcasting and FETO-affiliated soldiers who have tried to seize control of the public broadcaster are detained.

At 03:10, PM Yildirim warns that all military aircraft flying over Ankara – especially over critical areas such as the National Intelligence Organization HQ, Parliament, Prime Ministry or Presidency -- will be downed.

At 03:15, sounds of gunfire are heard again from Turkish General Staff headquarters.

At 03:20, President Erdogan arrives in Istanbul.

At 04:00, Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office 04:00 orders the arrest of pro-coup soldiers.

It is revealed that FETO-affiliated military officers set up a group on mobile-phone application WhatsApp on July 15 through which they coordinate the coup attempt, order attacks on civilians with messages like “Crush, burn, hang tough”, and arrange escape plans once the coup attempt is put down. (ILKHA)