Ankara: Azerbaijan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Qatar on Tuesday marked the ninth anniversary of the July 15, 2016 defeated coup attempt in Trkiye, voicing solidarity and support for Ankara.

According to Anadolu Agency, in a message addressed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev praised Trkiye's resilience in the face of the 2016 coup attempt, stating that it emerged "with honor and even greater strength" and demonstrated its power to the world. He highlighted the night of the coup attempt as a notable example of courage, underscoring the heroic stance of the Turkish people who defended their homeland, state, and flag, including hundreds at the cost of their lives.

Emphasizing solidarity, Aliyev referred to July 15 as a symbolic day of national unity and reaffirmed Azerbaijan's unwavering support for Trkiye as part of the principle of "one nation, two states." He also highlighted Trkiye's efforts against terrorism, mentioning the country's determination to build a terror-free future, and noted that the PKK's decision to dissolve itself and lay down its arms is a clear outcome of Ankara's political will and national unity.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also expressed support, describing July 15, 2016 as a proud day in history when "the brotherly people of Trkiye resolutely defended their statehood and national will."

The TRNC observed the anniversary with a ceremony, where President Ersin Tatar and other officials paid tribute to the resistance against the coup attempt. Tatar emphasized the role of Trkiye's unity and democracy in regional stability, stating that at the call of President Erdogan, millions took to the streets to repel the attack and protect Trkiye's democracy. He also noted the importance of Trkiye's recovery from the coup attempt for the TRNC.

According to a statement from the Qatari Emiri Diwan, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani extended congratulations to Erdogan on marking the anniversary of the coup attempt. The defeated coup, which resulted in 252 deaths and 2,734 injuries, was orchestrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its US-based leader Fethullah Gulen.