Aliyar Engin Dağlar, a 15 July veteran living in Balıkesir, talked about their struggle against the coup attempt of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) on 15 July 2016, at the entrance of the 15 July Martyrs' Bridge, which was then called "Bosphorus Bridge".

52-year-old Dağlar, originally from Tabriz, Iran, went to the Bosphorus Bridge as soon as he heard that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan invited citizens to the squares on the night of July 15. Dağlar, who was injured in his leg by the fire opened by the coup plotters, received treatment for a while.

Dağlar, who lives in Balıkesir and works at the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, cannot forget what he experienced that night.

Dağlar told the AA reporter that he was chatting with his friend in Kadıköy on the evening of July 15 and that his phone was turned off.

Stating that he learned about the coup attempt around 23:00, Dağlar said that he immediately went to the Bosphorus Bridge.

Dağlar stated that some police officers did not allow him to go forward at the bridge entrance and said, "I grabbed a few of the police officers who did not allow us. I said, 'Brother, you will not fight, at least give us the gun you have so we can fight.'" he said.

Emphasizing that the citizens gathered there were in unity and solidarity, Dağlar said, "The young men, they already have friends. It is as if they have always been friends with each other. When someone gets injured, four people immediately run. Two of them grab his legs and the other two people grab his arms and bring him back." he said.

Dağlar stated that he felt like "concrete" that night and continued as follows:

"I have a mood and world as if nothing would happen to me if they fired a cannon. I see myself as extremely self-confident and strong. I had completely resigned myself to martyrdom. If I have the chance, I will be a martyr. I made a plan to reach the soldiers. As I was heading in that direction, an uncle came running. I said to them, 'Don't let me be a victim, you are our children too, don't shoot.' he said. At that moment, a friend jumped forward. He started running in a zigzag pattern. So I started running after him. We are trying to get there with the soldiers. Just as they were getting there, they shot that young man. I immediately tried to hold him, I was so angry. I asked them, 'Why are you shooting innocent people?' I shouted. Meanwhile, they are constantly scanning, and bullets are constantly ricocheting off those below."

Stating that he was hit at that time but realized this situation later, Dağlar said that the planes were making sorties while they were in a difficult situation on the bridge.

"I saw that my pants and shoes were covered in blood"

Dağlar stated that many citizens were shot by a sniper and said, "After a while, we heard that the sniper had been shot. Then a strong sala was recited, which affected me very much. I realized that I could not stand. I threw myself towards the tree. They asked me if I was the injured person. When I touched my leg, I saw that my trousers and shoes were covered in blood. Thanks to that divine hymn, I did not notice this. They took me to the hospital with a vehicle there. My eyes were closed, I do not remember what happened next." he said.

Explaining that he saw President Erdoğan's statement when he woke up later, Dağlar said, "Thank God, the country was left in my hands, I was happy to say that the country was left in my hands. May God not show it again. May it not be shown to any country. May it not be shown to this Turkish society that is so helpful, poor-loving, oppressed-loving. These lands are of great value, it is necessary to know them. Since the first time I came to Türkiye, I have always felt the importance of the precious value in these lands." he said.