Relief in Erdogan's Istanbul stronghold over coup defeat

There is relief and defiance in the waterside Istanbul district where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was born after the defeat of the coup aimed at ousting its favourite son from power.

Erdogan has been accused by civil society activists of cracking down on the press, by his critics of forcing failed policies that put Turkey at risk of terror attacks and by Kurdish politicians of using excessive force in the southeast.

But this does not matter a jot in Kasimpasa, where locals will not hear a bad word against Erdogan.

Preparing for the afternoon prayer, an imam at Sirkeci Muslihiddin mosque said he was glad the coup was defeated because it would have set the country back decades.

"I am happy the coup failed — of course anyone would be. Why? For the community. If there's a coup, it would be bad for our economy," said Fikri Kansiz, a friend of Erdogan's who hails from the president's family hometown in northeastern Rize province.

"I like Erdogan," said Kansiz. "I'm glad he has not gone. He is good for Turkey."

- 'We love Erdogan' -

Erdogan is believed to have survived the coup to a large part thanks to the mobilisation of supporters like those from Kasimpasa who flooded towards key strategic points like the airport and the Istanbul bridges to thwart the plotters.

The president's longtime barber and friend Hayri Goz, who still keeps the shop he co-owns in Kasimpasa, was another unwavering backer.

"While Erdogan is president and alive, everything will be good," he added as he shared a cup of Turkish tea with his colleague.

"He is a man who loves his country and we love him. We had no fears after he spoke," Goz said.

Erdogan, addressing the nation via a FaceTime call to the CNN Turk television channel, urged people to take to the streets and resist the coup attempt, which they did in their thousands.

Goz said he and his family joined in the outpouring of support for the government and got out onto the streets.

"We're going to go to the squares all week, when Erdogan says go home, we will."

- 'Not scared of death' -

At the weekend, thousands gathered each night with flags and pride in Kasimpasa's main square to protest against the coup, residents told AFP.

For some of the residents there was a sense that they were protecting their nation.

"We were not scared. I was scared for the country but not scared of death," Kasimpasa local Ozlem Esen said.

She said that even before Erdogan urged his people to get back out on the streets, she went to the local ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) building where she and thousands of others chased soldiers away.

"We then walked from there to Ataturk airport and got home at 7 am and had a couple of hours' sleep. It's been like that every night since, but the coup is not finished," she added.

Together with her mother-in-law, Hava Esen, the two headscarf-wearing women told AFP they were protecting their country from traitors.

"We love him (Erdogan). Another leader like him won't come. We are behind him. We are protecting our country," the mother-in-law said.

They added they would go again to Taksim Square in central Istanbul and would remain on the streets every day this week in support of Erdogan.

In Kasimpasa, even some of those who back the opposition said they were glad to see the coup fail.

"I am an Ataturk-loving man who votes for (the main opposition) CHP but the soldiers were wrong. I support democracy and I don't want my government attacked," Yusuf Cagiltas said.

"I must respect Erdogan because he is my elected president - (even if) I don't like him. I am against his actions - not the man," he added.

Source: AFP