Türkiye continues stamping out the lingering threat of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), 10 years after it dealt a major blow to its ambition to seize power. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi and Justice Minister Akın Gürlek issued simultaneous statements on Monday about a major operation against the group on Monday. The ministers announced that operations were held in all 81 provinces to capture 968 suspected members of the group.
On Wednesday, Türkiye will mark the 10th anniversary of a coup attempt by FETÖ’s infiltrators in the army. Ministers highlighted this fact in their message as they paid tribute to “revered martyrs and veterans who fought and died for homeland, flag, democracy and national will.” The 2016 coup attempt was the first instance of widespread public resistance against putschists in the brief history of the Republic of Türkiye. Türkiye has had a fair share of coups since 1960, but none were thwarted by public resistance. Ministers said that despite stopping FETÖ with “an epic public resistance” 10 years ago, the fight against the terrorist group continued and they adhered to the same commitment, resolve and attention to the fight.
"Under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, our state has carried out a comprehensive campaign of purification across all its institutions since July 15. It has pursued an uncompromising fight against this treacherous network, which sought to undermine the will of our nation, the survival of our state, and our legal order. Within this framework, as a result of the joint efforts of the chief public prosecutors' offices in all 81 provinces, the provincial police departments, and the provincial gendarmerie commands to expose FETÖ, an operation targeting 968 suspects was launched this morning across all 81 provinces. The provinces with the largest number of suspects are Ankara, Izmir, and Istanbul, while meticulous efforts continue in other provinces against the organization's current structure, its confidential network, and affiliated elements,” the ministers said in their statement.
