Turkish military officers attending Saturday’s Victory Day ceremony were subjected to repeated identity checks and pat downs, an extraordinary level of scrutiny that critics said reflected President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s fear of a potential threat from within the ranks.
Victory Day, observed every August 30, marks Turkey’s 1922 victory over occupying forces in its War of Independence. The official ceremony was held at Anıtkabir, the monumental tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the republic’s founder, with Erdoğan and senior state officials in attendance.
In an unusual step, officers and noncommissioned officers were treated as potential security risks. At the first checkpoint, about 200 meters from the entrance, police checked their names against a list prepared under the supervision of Erdoğan’s security detail. Those not on the list were turned away, along with officers who brought spouses or children.
Soldiers who passed the first stage then underwent multiple pat downs at subsequent checkpoints before being allowed into the ceremonial grounds. Police barricades surrounded not only the streets leading to Anıtkabir but also parts of the complex itself, underscoring the heightened security measures.
The extraordinary scrutiny reflects the legacy of a coup attempt in July 2016, when factions in the military tried to oust Erdoğan using tanks, jets and helicopters. More than 250 people were killed, and Erdoğan maintained power after loyalist forces, police and crowds of civilians countered the plot.
Since then, Erdoğan has treated even his own armed forces as a potential source of danger. Soldiers at official ceremonies are often required to carry unloaded rifles, and police have at times been ordered to hand over their weapons while on duty to eliminate any chance of an armed challenge.
Kimlik kontrolü yetmiyor. Birde üst araması yapıyorsunuz öyle mi? https://t.co/IMoWPZxsfH
— Rafet Kılıç (@Rafetkilic89) August 30, 2025
“It’s not enough that you check IDs. Now you are patting down officers [as if they were suspects]?” Retired Brig. Gen. Rafet Kılıç posted on X, commenting on the measures.
Critics argue that these precautions are less about general state security than Erdoğan’s personal fear of being targeted by a rogue officer. The repeated searches of active-duty soldiers on the very day meant to honor the military were seen by many as another sign of the president’s distrust.