OpEd, Politics

Turkish People’s Heroic Resistance to Defend Their Democracy against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization On July 15th, 2016

By Erdem Mutaf

 

Today we commemorate our heroes once more with the deepest respect and gratitude who stopped the failed military coup attempt in Türkiye on July 15, 2016, by sacrificing their lives.

Eight years have passed since the attempted military coup by the Fethullahist terrorist organization (a.k.a. FETO) on 15th July 2016. This heinous act constituted the deadliest terrorist attack Turkiye has ever experienced.

On the evening of July 15, 2016, the FETO launched a bloody coup attempt against the Turkish people and the government. Their aim was to establish a radical, fundamentalist regime, loyal only to their ring-leader Fetullah Gülen.

On July 15, 2016, FETO affiliated army units left their barracks to occupy key locations, such as the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul and fighter jets and attack helicopters bombed strategic targets including the government buildings, Parliament, Presidential compound, army and police headquarters. This terrorist act encouraged thousands of civilians to stop this unprecedented heinous act. The plotters killed 251 innocent civilians and left thousands injured. On that night the Turkish people defended democracy by sacrificing their lives. This heroic response was something the conspirators did not expect.

In this regard, I would like to express our appreciation for the firm support and solidarity extended by H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan to his counterpart the President of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after this failed coup attempt.

The coup attempt revealed the grave threat posed by the FETO terrorist organization against the State. The Turkish people who have stood against this horrific threat demonstrated courageously to the world that they did not recognize any power above their will and could do whatever they need to protect their State and the democratic system.

All the evidence collected throughout the investigations and trials demonstrated that this terrorist attack was orchestrated by FETO under the instructions of Fetullah Gülen.

FETO was established in the late 1960s as a so-called “religious movement”. In the guise of promoting education and inter-religious dialogue, it managed to cover its malign intentions.

The well-planned and widespread infiltration by FETO members and their elements into the army, law enforcement, judiciary and numerous government institutions, was carried out for decades clandestinely for an overarching plan, of which the final phase was unleashed on July 15, 2016.

The organization that disguised itself as an education movement gradually turned into a secretive operational structure aiming at transforming society by taking control of the Turkish state from inside. The organization also established media houses to shape public opinion. These media houses became the focal point of actions taken against judges, journalists, academicians, bureaucrats and military officers who opposed them, or tried to expose them. They were lynched and purged.

Following this military coup attempt, a resolute cleansing of the public sector including government institutions and the military as well as of the private sector from all FETO-affiliated persons and companies was initiated in compliance with judiciary verdicts.  Some prominent conspirators have been apprehended. Others escaped justice and found refuge in some foreign countries.

An increasing number of foreign governments understood the danger this terrorist organization also poses to them and were taking the necessary steps. FETO is also engaged in illegal activities such as visa fraud, money laundering and arms trafficking.

Terrorism does not have a nationality, ethnicity or religion. This menace threatens humanity as a whole. Therefore, the response to this threat must be united and determined. No state has the luxury to make distinctions among terrorists and no terrorist organization can be classified as “useful” according to preferences.

I would like to stress and bring to your kind attention that FETO is present in around 160 countries today, with thousands of schools, businesses, NGOs and media units. As they aim to infiltrate and enlarge their global economic and political influence, they can constitute a direct security threat for any country where they operate. We expect the international community to stand in solidarity with Türkiye in the fight against terrorism.

 

With my best regards.

 

Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye

 

 

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