Turkey's military cleared of Gulen-linked elements: PM

ANKARA

Turkey’s military has been cleared of Fetullah Terrorist Organization-linked elements after the Supreme Military Council completed its work Thursday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Friday.

Speaking at a Martyrs' Memorial Day at the presidential complex in Ankara to commemorate victims of the July 15 coup attempt, Yildirim said life in Turkey had returned to normal after the failed coup was crushed.

“Those who show tolerance to traitors are also traitors themselves,” he said.

Yildirim noted that Turkish people were continuing to take to the streets and squares across the country for the sake of protecting democracy in the country.

“The power of the people has overcome the power of the tanks,” he said.

On Thursday, the Supreme Military Council had held a meeting under the chairmanship of Yildirim in Ankara, which decided to keep Gen. Hulusi Akar as Turkey's chief of general staff.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly coup attempt, which martyred more than 230 people and injured nearly 2,200 others, was organized by U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen's followers and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization.

Gulen is also accused of running a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.

ANKARA

“Those who show tolerance to traitors are also traitors themselves,” he said.

Yildirim noted that Turkish people were continuing to take to the streets and squares across the country for the sake of protecting democracy in the country.

“The power of the people has overcome the power of the tanks,” he said.

On Thursday, the Supreme Military Council had held a meeting under the chairmanship of Yildirim in Ankara, which decided to keep Gen. Hulusi Akar as Turkey's chief of general staff.