Speaking at a wreath-laying ceremony at the July 15 Martyrs' Monument in Istanbul, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan strongly condemned those who cast slanders on the events of July 15th, labeling them as "puppets of the bloody game they want to play on Türkiye."

"Those who cast these vile slanders on July 15th are the puppets of the bloody game they want to play on Türkiye and of the great theater they want to stage. Our nation will continue to foil every game that impinges on its independence and attempts to shackle its will," Erdoğan declared during his speech.

Erdoğan began his remarks by offering prayers for the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence. "Today, I would like to thank once again all those who rushed to the streets and squares to resist the traitors without even waiting for our call from the first moments of the coup attempt. We lost a total of 34 sons of our country, including two police officers, on the Bridge alone," he said.

He emphasized that the treacherous and brutal actions of the coup plotters, as well as the murders they committed, will never be forgotten by the country. "Likewise, we remember with great pride the epic struggle of our nation against tanks and deadly weapons with their bare hands," Erdoğan added.

Erdoğan vowed that the heroism of the martyrs, who have written their names in golden letters in history and in the hearts of the nation, will always be remembered. "We will not forgive those who call July 15th a 'play', those who call it 'theater', those who shamelessly call it a 'collusion' until doomsday. Those who cast these vile slanders on July 15th are the puppets of the bloody game they want to play on Türkiye and of the great theater they want to stage. Our nation will continue to foil every game that impinges on its independence and attempts to shackle its will, just as it has always done," he asserted.

The ceremony, held to commemorate the victims of the failed coup attempt, highlighted the ongoing commitment of the Turkish government and its citizens to defend their independence and democratic values. (ILKHA)