On the 4th anniversary of the treacherous coup attempt of July 15, the “TÜRKSAT, July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day Commemoration Program” was held at TÜRKSAT’s Gölbaşı campus.
The program was attended by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoğlu, Deputy Ministers Ömer Fatih Sayan, Enver İskurt, and Selim Dursun, President of the Presidency Digital Transformation Office Ali Taha Koç, TÜRKSAT Board Chairman Kemal Yüksek, and TÜRKSAT General Manager Cenk Şen.
Minister Karaismailoğlu began his speech by commemorating TÜRKSAT personnel Ahmet Özsoy and Ali Karslı, who were martyred on July 15. Minister Karaismailoğlu stated, “The July 15 victory is the honor of our nation that challenged tanks and aircraft, and our martyrs and veterans. Our esteemed nation, with its determination, fighting spirit, united stance against coups, and resolve in demanding democracy, emerged as one body against the coup plotters, bringing light to one of the darkest nights in Turkish history.”
Emphasizing that the Turkish nation has shown the world that the chapter of coups in Turkey is closed, Minister Karaismailoğlu said: “In the face of this vile attack against the indivisible integrity of our homeland, they wrote an epic with their resistance at the cost of their lives and achieved a historic victory. This victory has shown that the spirit of Çanakkale and Sarıkamış is still fresh in these lands. Faced with what FETÖ did, our nation gave up their lives but did not allow anyone to touch our homeland. Our nation foiled this coup attempt by filling the streets and squares, risking their lives. On the night of July 15, the nation did not bow, Turkey did not lose. Our nation, standing in front of tanks and bombs at the cost of their lives, started a new era in our ancient history. They virtually wrote an epic, adding another glorious page to the pages of our history. With a courage and spirituality unparalleled in the world, they thwarted the dark games played against our national unity and will.”
Reminding that on the night of July 15, traitors belonging to the disgraceful nest called FETÖ bombed the people with warplanes, tried to crush them with tanks, and rained bullets from helicopters, Minister Karaismailoğlu said, “Do not think that the fire only burned where it fell. The bombs they dropped fell into our hearts. The tanks crushed our insides. The bullets they fired pierced our lungs. Of course, there can never be any equivalent for sacrificing one's life while being a child, spouse, sibling, mother, or father for this homeland and this nation. However, thanks to our brothers Ahmet Özsoy and Ali Karslı among the 251 martyrs who walked to martyrdom by standing against those bullets that day, the words of our President echoed on televisions. Thanks to them, since the broadcasts did not stop, our people were informed correctly. Within the framework of this correct information, our nation claimed its will and took to the streets. It claimed democracy, Turkey’s future, and the tomorrow of future generations. On the night of July 15, thanks to their martyrdom and heroism, the value of this institution was once again understood.”
Minister Karaismailoğlu: TÜRKSAT 5A to be Launched into Space in the Last Quarter of 2020, TÜRKSAT 5B in the Second Quarter of 2021
Underlining that TÜRKSAT, which continues its work successfully and without interruption today, is an important actor in the international arena in satellite broadcasting, Minister Karaismailoğlu said, “Among the projects whose production work is ongoing, communication satellites TÜRKSAT 5A are planned to be launched into space in the last quarter of 2020, and TÜRKSAT 5B in the second quarter of 2021. Our first domestic and national communication satellite TÜRKSAT 6A will, God willing, be launched into space in 2022. With the production of TÜRKSAT 6A, Turkey will enter the top 10 countries that can produce communication satellites in the world. When our communication satellites reach space, our country will have a say in the world with image, sound, and data communication, as well as our other value-added services. Beyond being major investments, these satellites are proof that the aspirations of all traitors who want to divide our country have remained stuck in their throats. Actually, every kilometer of road built, every school, hospital, bridge constructed, or factory opened is a slap in the face to these oppressors from our nation. It is proof that the sacrifices, efforts, and legacies of our martyrs who gave their lives are not in vain. We too will protect this legacy at the cost of our lives, just like them. I wholeheartedly believe that as long as we are together with you, we will never let this legacy they left us fall to the ground. Under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we have buried a day like July 15 in history so that it never happens again. However, we will never forget and never let it be forgotten,” he said.
Deputy Minister Sayan: The Traitors’ Plan Was Foiled Thanks to the Courageous and Faithful Hearts of the Great Turkish Nation
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Ömer Fatih Sayan, expressing that four years ago they experienced one of the darkest and most painful days in Turkish history, said, “The traitors took the traps and insidious plans they had set up for years to the final stage with this coup attempt targeting our country and our people. They pointed the nation's weapons at the nation itself and our national will to seize the state and enslave us. They had a trap, but undoubtedly God is the best of planners. The traitors’ plan was foiled thanks to the courageous and faithful hearts of the great Turkish nation.”
Reminding that one of the main targets of the vile attack carried out against the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish nation’s will on July 15, 2016, was TÜRKSAT, Sayan said, “The traitor coup plotters, who could not stop the broadcasts despite threatening TÜRKSAT employees with guns, targeted cutting the broadcasts by bombing the campus as a last resort. The terrorists, who could not achieve their vile aims, martyred Ahmet Özsoy and Ali Karslı. They wounded Ferhat Derecik, Muhammed Emin Sergili, Bilal Davut Hasetçi, and Halil Ersoy. They are in our hearts and prayers, and their names will echo forever in history and the corridors of TÜRKSAT. We can never repay their rights; may God be pleased with them.”
Stating that Turkey is a more stable country today and looks to the future with hope, Sayan said, “The bitter experience we lived reminded us to be on alert in every field and at every moment, to act on the hard path and once again with this awareness. Great events happened after that day, but the night of July 15 was a first in history. Those watching from afar may still think so, but what happened that night was not a movie. The memories of our friends, what we lost, what we sacrificed, all are in our minds. Turkey needs to rise even more. Turkey needs to reach its 2023 targets. This is our promise and debt to the July 15 martyrs and veterans.”