Six years have passed since the July 15 coup attempt in Türkiye, which was carried out by the Fethullah Gulen Terror Organization.
Ongoing and finalised investigations, prosecutions and trials have yielded that Gülen was the administrator and ringleader of FETO and that he gave the order to stage the coup.
The coup attempt was planned by the FETO leadership and carried out by members of the organization, who infiltrated the Turkish army by disobeying the chain of command of the armed forces. This heinous act constitutes the deadliest terrorist attack that Türkiye has ever experienced.
Tanks were driven to the streets to mow down innocent civilians, while helicopters and jets dropped bombs and shot everyone in sight. That night, 251 citizens were killed and more than 2,000 people were injured.
All evidence collected so far demonstrates the bloodiest terrorist attack in the history of our country was orchestrated by FETO under Gülen's instructions.
It was the people of Türkiye, from all backgrounds and political views, who thwarted the plot. They displayed a historic solidarity as they stood bravely in front of the tanks and reclaimed their democratic rights.
Foiling of the coup attempt by the Turkish people from all walks of life has been a milestone in Türkiye’s democracy history. July 15 was a trial of strength for the Turkish state and its democracy. It makes us proud to have passed this test. Since then, July 15 is commemorated as the day of Democracy and National Unity in Türkiye.
Hidden behind institutions such as schools and charities, FETO has developed a broad and tightly organised esoteric cult structures – with members who completely hide their identities at all levels and unquestioningly obey the group’s leader, who has proclaimed himself the “Imam of the Universe.”
They secretly wiretapped, blacklisted, blackmailed and imprisoned thousands with the help of their own prosecutors and judges, and in many cases, they murdered those who stood in their way. An organisation that believes it has the right to use any means to achieve its ends was created. Ironically, the most important instrument of the group has become the educational institutions under its control.
Children and young people trained in the interests of the group are indoctrinated for its future goals. They eliminate – through imprisonment – dozens of civilians, judges and security officers who might resist them.
Strategically important state institutions, in particular the Turkish Armed Forces and judicial institutions, were insidiously staffed with people who were absolutely loyal to the group. To this end, all means have been used, including examination fraud.
July 15 was plotted at a time when the government had discovered and listed most of the so-called military personnel, who were actually recruits of FETO and thus was getting ready to dismiss them. In other words, July 15 was a desperate final move of Gülen and his followers to keep their control and capture the state.
The organisation, which lost its backbone in Türkiye, has been trying to survive by making use of its structure abroad. FETO is present in around 160 countries, including Kenya, with thousands of schools, businesses, NGOs and media houses.
Their modus operandi is the same all around the world. As they aim to infiltrate and enlarge their global economic and political influence, they constitute a direct security threat to all the countries where they operate.
What happened in Türkiye six years ago is a reminder of what this organisation may be capable of doing elsewhere. We paid a heavy price for conceding to their benign discourse. We do not want other countries to suffer a similar fate in the future. That is why we advise our friends and partners around the world to be vigilant against this double-faced organisation.
Our expectation from the friendly governments, including Kenya, is to effectively support Türkiye in this national security issue, take the necessary action against FETO’s activities in their countries and never let it poison bilateral relations.
Ahmet Cemil Miroğlu is the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Kenya
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