Turkey: Over 160 soldiers dismissed over FETO links

ANKARA

At least 167 Turkish soldiers were sacked from the army on Friday for their suspected links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup attempt.

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) relieved of duties 90 personnel from land forces command and 77 from naval forces with the approval of the country’s Ministry of Defense.

According to data compiled by Anadolu Agency, some 486 military personnel have been sacked since Turkey lifted its two-year-old state of emergency on July 18, 2018.

“The Ministry of National Defense and the Turkish Armed Forces continue their fight against FETO with determination,” said Hulusi Akar, defense minister.

The Turkish military will strengthen as FETO-linked “traitors” within the forces are wiped out and the army’s “high performance in land, air and sea is an indication of this”, Akar added.

FETO and its U.S.- based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

Written by Erdogan Çagatay Zontur