July 15 Coup Attempt Vahit Kaşçıoğlu

Vahit Kaşçıoğlu

Vahit Kaşçıoğlu, who resided in Sultanbeyli, decided to go to the Sabiha Gökçen airport after the call of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He was martyred during the July 15th coup attempt by the putschist commander, whom he faced at the toll booths and challenged without any fear.

Kaşçıoğlu went to Sultanbeyli square with his cousin İhsan Yıldız after learning about the events from the TV. He decided to go to the airport when President Erdoğan said, “I call my people to airports.” Kaşçıoğlu and his cousin İhsan Yıldız saw putschist soldiers at the Orhanlı toll booths and pulled their vehicle in front of the tanks moving towards the citizens as a way of trying to save them.

He responded to the threat of being shot by saying “Go ahead”

The commander on the tank yelled to Vahit Kaşçıoğlu, “Don’t come closer. We will shoot you!” Vahit showed his neck and shouted defiantly, “Go ahead! I’m not a traitor like you. You are the traitor!” The solider did not shoot Vahit, but the commander took his weapon and shot at both Kaşçıoğlu and his cousin İhsan Yıldız. İhsan was martyred on the spot and Vahit was martyred after being taken to the hospital.

Vahit Kaşçıoğlu was buried in Sultanbeyli on July 17th.

The 41 year old worked as a welder and was married, with 3 children.

The name of martyr Vahit Kaşçıoğlu was given to an Imam Hatip middle school in Sultanbeyli, Istanbul.

Clash between military students and police
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Clash between military students and police
Yeni Şafak
Police squads took position at the TEM Highway Mehmetçik Foundation and Tuzla Orhanlı toll booths when they found out students from the Air Force Academy were traveling to Istanbul to give support to the coup. Clashes erupted when the police attempted to take the students into custody. One police and five citizens were martyred and the putschist lieutenant who led the students was shot dead during the clash.

Sabiha Gökçen and the Orhanlı tolling booths on the night of July 15
15 PHOTOGRAPH
-A sergeant in one of the tanks that arrived at Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the night of the July 15 coup attempt committed suicide. Other soldiers in the tank surrendered to police forces.

-A sergeant in one of the tanks that arrived at Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the night of the July 15 coup attempt committed suicide. Other soldiers in the tank surrendered to police forces.

Security cameras recorded the events that unfolded after the suicide. Sergeant Ferhat Daş, who committed suicide inside the tank was removed by civilians and carried to an ambulance.

Security cameras recorded the events that unfolded after the suicide. Sergeant Ferhat Daş, who committed suicide inside the tank was removed by civilians and carried to an ambulance.

Sergeant Ferhat Daş unfortunately passed on the way to the hospital.

Sergeant Ferhat Daş unfortunately passed on the way to the hospital.

A short armed conflict broke out between some soldiers and police officers entering the Gendarmerie Guard Unit Company Command at Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

A short armed conflict broke out between some soldiers and police officers entering the Gendarmerie Guard Unit Company Command at Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

While there were not any casualties, 11 soldiers were taken into custody afterward.

While there were not any casualties, 11 soldiers were taken into custody afterward.

Civilians blocked FETÖ soldiers’ way at the Orhanlı toll gate.

Civilians blocked FETÖ soldiers’ way at the Orhanlı toll gate.

There were armed conflicts between soldiers and police officers who shut down the toll gates.

There were armed conflicts between soldiers and police officers who shut down the toll gates.

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Tanker driver Mevlüt Kandemir stopped busses carrying Air Force Academy students brought from Yalova to Istanbul to support FETÖ coup soldiers attempting to occupy Sabiha Gökçen Airport on July 15.

Tanker driver Mevlüt Kandemir stopped busses carrying Air Force Academy students brought from Yalova to Istanbul to support FETÖ coup soldiers attempting to occupy Sabiha Gökçen Airport on July 15.

“There were eight to 10 civilian vehicles and two police cars at the toll gate then. When I stopped at the gate and got out of my vehicle, the police officers informed me that we had encountered a coup attempt and asked for my support. Of course, I accepted their request.  There can’t be a nation without a motherland,” Kandemir said.

“There were eight to 10 civilian vehicles and two police cars at the toll gate then. When I stopped at the gate and got out of my vehicle, the police officers informed me that we had encountered a coup attempt and asked for my support. Of course, I accepted their request. There can’t be a nation without a motherland,” Kandemir said.

More than 35 bullets hit his tanker when  coup soldiers opened fire.

More than 35 bullets hit his tanker when coup soldiers opened fire.

Afterward, police seized the tanks at Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

Afterward, police seized the tanks at Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

As flights were cancelled at airport, travelers again started leaving the area with their luggage.

As flights were cancelled at airport, travelers again started leaving the area with their luggage.

Some even took selfies.

Some even took selfies.

Tanks at Sabiha Gökçen Airport were returned to their rightful positions.

Tanks at Sabiha Gökçen Airport were returned to their rightful positions.

Sabiha Gökçen and the Orhanlı tolling booths on the night of July 15
Istanbul's airports were among the first places targeted by the putschists. Sergeant Ferhat Daş, who was one of the soldiers on board the tanks brought to the Sabiha Gökçen Airport, committed suicide. Civilians and members of the police at the Orhanli tolling booths blocked an attempt by the putschist soldiers who were trying to seize control over the Sabiha Gökçen Airport by transporting airforce military school students on buses from Yalova to Istanbul.