Turkish PM hails 'women's resilience' on coup bid night

IZMIR, Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has hailed 'women's resilience' during the night of the July 15 failed coup.

Addressing women at an event in Turkey's Aegean province of Izmir to mark the International Women's Day program which was hosted by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's women's branch, Yildirim said eleven women was martyred during the coup attempt and Turkey "will not forget them".

The premier said Turkish women "protect their flag, their country and their land when necessary and also raise their child in the best way possible".

"Our women are the chief pillar of our society. May Allah bless all of our women. Words cannot describe their fight when they fearlessly stood up against tanks that night," Yildirim said.

Ayse Aykac, Demet Sezen, Sevgi Yesilyurt, Turkan Turkmen Tekin, Cennet Yigit, Gulsah Guler, Sevda Gungor, Yildiz Gursoy, Zeynep Sagir, Seher Yasar and Kubra Doganay was martyred in July 15 failed coup attempt.

U.S.-based FETO leader Fetullah Gulen is accused of masterminding the coup attempt.

FETO is also accused of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

*Reporting by Efsun Yilmaz; Writing by Satuk Bugra Kutlugun