The influence of the failed coup in Turkey has been extensive.  Over 60-thousand state employees have been detained or suspended.  And it would have been quite another story if President Erdogan had landed in Ankara instead of Istanbul after learning of the coup.

On July 15th all eyes in Turkey were turned to the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul that connects Asia and Europe. On it was military tanks. This was the first signal of the coup attempt in Turkey. Next came the news of jets flying over the capital Ankara. Parts of the military were making a move to overtake the government.

The Turkish President who was on vacation had quickly gotten on a plane – and had to make a decision – travel to the heart of the government – Ankara, or to the heart of the nation, Istanbul. He decided to go to Istanbul – where he was once Mayor during the early stages of his political career. But the choice was also related to security.

"Commander of the first land forces advised the President to head to Istanbul instead of Ankara, stating that Ankara was not safe. That decision carried great importance. So they used diversion tactics for safety precautions," said Abdullah Agar, security expert.

That decision have been a turning point in the coup. The President also made another vital move – he called on the people to take the streets; to block the military. And so they did. When he landed in Istanbul –thousands of ruling Justice and Development Party supporters were at his command. Literally – ready to die for their cause. They would not allow a military coup to happen.

Had he landed in Ankara instead the outcome could have been different.

Not only was the atmosphere different in Ankara – but the attacks more intense. Government and police offices were targeted by coup plotters.

This police headquarters in Ankara was one of the most critical locations attacked during the coup attempt – it was one of the first attacked, hit by soldiers, tanks and helicopters.

The destruction was devastating, over 200 people were killed on the evening of the coup attempt. The government emphasized – it will not be forgotten.

 "We will preserve the section of the parliament that was bombed as a democracy museum," said Ismail Kahraman, Turkish Paliament speaker.

Since that evening, the government has declared a 3-month state of emergency across the country and carried out an intense crackdown on coup plotters – who they believe are supporters of Fethullah Gulen – a Muslim cleric believed to be the mastermind of the attempted coup. But the people of Turkey – remain defiant and insist they will continue their daily lives, despite the tangible tension in the country.