Former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) İsmail Kahraman said the July 15, 2016 events were not a coup attempt but an attempt to occupy Türkiye, arguing that foreign powers have been behind military interventions throughout the country's history.

Former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye İsmail Kahraman made the remarks during the panel titled "On the 10th Anniversary of July 15: The Will Is Ours, The Victory Is Ours," organized by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications.

"Parliament remained open on July 15"

Kahraman said the July 15 events marked the 17th coup attempt in Türkiye's history.

He noted that while parliament had been unable to function during the previous 16 military interventions, the Grand National Assembly remained open on July 15 and continued its work as the embodiment of the nation's will.

"July 15 was neither a coup nor a military takeover; it was an attempt to occupy Türkiye," Kahraman said.

"The scripts of coups are written abroad"

Referring to the military interventions of 1960, 1971 and 1980, Kahraman argued that the planners of coups had always operated from outside the country.

"The scripts and directors of coups are abroad, while the actors are inside the country," he said.

Kahraman also said imperialist powers seek to prevent countries they wish to keep dependent from becoming stronger and more independent.

"The cost reached $350 billion"

Recalling the period of former Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, Kahraman said Türkiye had made significant progress in several fields before that process was interrupted by campaigns targeting his government.

He estimated that the July 15 events caused approximately $350 billion in economic losses to Türkiye, adding that the moral and social cost had been far greater. (ILKHA)