ON the evening of July 15, 2016, the Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation (FETO) launched a bloody coup attempt against the people and the government of my country. Their aim was to establish a radical regime loyal to Fetullah Gülen.

As FETO-affiliated army units left their barracks to occupy key locations, and fighter jets and attack helicopters bombed strategic targets, thousands of civilians took to the streets to stop the coup attempt. The plotters killed 251 innocent civilians and left thousands injured. On that night the Turkish people defended democracy with their lives. This heroic response was something the conspirators had not foreseen.

To understand what transpired, one has to understand the true nature of FETO, which was established in the late 1960s as a so-called religious movement. In the guise of promoting education and inter-faith dialogue, it covered up its intentions. The well-planned and wide-spread infiltration by FETO members and converts into state institutions had been going on for decades as a plan of which the final phase was unleashed on July 15, 2016.

Had the coup attempt succeeded, there would have been a very different Türkiye today. Democracy would not have existed and fundamental rights and freedoms would have been suspended indefinitely. The nation would have fallen in the hands of an extremist dispensation.

FETO not only controlled a significant portion of educational institutions, but also owned numerous financial institutions. Their bank accounts were fed by prominent FETO members in industry and commerce, as well as by officials and members of the public. Many innocent civilians were also lured into contributing as their piety was manipulated.

Following the coup attempt, a resolute cleansing of the public sector, including government institutions and the military, as well as of the private sector was initiated. Some prominent conspirators were apprehended. Others escaped justice and found refuge abroad. The government has been requesting the extradition of Gülen to Türkiye from the United States as well as that of other individuals from European countries for years. Unfortunately, these requests have not been fulfilled yet.

Elsewhere in the world, an increasing number of governments understand the danger this organisation poses to them, and are taking the necessary steps. FETO is also engaged in illegal activities, such as visa fraud, money-laundering and arms trafficking. Consequently, FETO members are being cleared from public and private sectors in many countries. Many schools affiliated with the said organisation abroad have been transferred to the Turkish Maarif Foundation after 2016. Today, Maarif Schools are functioning in many countries and are providing excellent education worldwide.

The nature and scope of Türkiye’s fight against FETO is no different than that exercised by other countries against organisations which had terrorised officials and civilians alike, and endangered democratic values, fundamental rights and freedoms. Türkiye is doing what the respective countries in their fight against terrorism have done in the past. All procedures are in compliance with law.

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 of differentiating between terrorists, and no terrorist organisation can be classified as ‘useful’ according to preferences.

FETO is responsible for the loss of hundreds of lives as well as other grave crimes against the Turkish people. Six years after the failed coup, Türkiye continues its resolute fight against FETO, just as it continues its fight against other such organisations, like PKK, PYD-YPG, DHKP-C and DAESH. We expect the international community to stand in solidarity with Türkiye in the fight against terrorism.

Mevlut Cavasoglu
Foreign Minister of the Republic of Türkiye
Ankara, Türkiye

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2022