Currently, Turkey is combatting multiple terrorist organizations simultaneously. FETO could not achieve bringing turmoil to Turkey and hit the wall of our nation’s resolve. Now other terrorist groups are trying their chances, but to no avail. The government is now working to unfold the links between FETO and other terrorist groups such as PKK, writes
On the night of 15 July, a clandestine faction within Turkish forces, which actually belong to Fetullah Gulen Terrorist Organisation (FETO) attempted to stage a coup in Turkey. Thanks to the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the bravery of our people, this terrorist coup attempt which targeted Turkish democracy and constitutional order was thwarted. Turkish nation as a whole, refused to surrender this heinous terrorist attempt. Many testimonies by captured plotters and abundant evidence made it undeniably clear that the culprit was FETO.
FETO, a secretive terrorist organization that does not hesitate to use arms and violence, has tried to keep themselves under legal cover for many years. However after 15 July, the whole world have seen the real face of FETO and what this organization is capable of doing in the countries it resides. Turkey, as a country which experienced the catastrophy caused by FETO, highlighted that it is ready to assist all friendly countries in avoiding the security threat which this organization poses.
Foiling of the coup attempt by the Turkish people from all walks of life has been a milestone in Turkey’s democracy history. This democratic resolve of the citizens of Turkey should be viewed as a guarantee by itself that the people will never bow to those who tries to change a democratically elected government by force and bombards our Parliament. As a matter of fact, the plotters, by bombarding the parliament, displayed they had no intention to use it. Turkey is now united in a spirit that has not been witnessed since the foundation of the Republic. The nation as a whole has shown that democracy is non-negotiable and no one should ever dare of planning a similar attempt targeting constitutional order.
That is why, starting from the failed coup night, Turkish people gathered on the streets every day to cheer for their victory against the plotters and keep guard of our democracy. These gatherings reached a crowd of 5 million at a historic meeting in Yenikapi rally on 7 August in Istanbul, in which a further 5 million people from other cities of Turkey joined Istanbul through big screens. This was another historic and unprecedented milestone for Turkish democracy. This was the picture of the unity of Turkish people from all backgrounds and political views. Their message was “We defeated FETO which targeted Turkish nation and we are here united as one, against any enemy targeting our democracy and constitutional order”.
In the week following the coup attempt, Turkish people acted once again to safeguard their country and they sold USD 11 billion worth of foreign currency to buy Turkish Lira and strengthened our economy very sharply.
Although there were initial hasty reactions from some western media, ignoring the grief of our nation for 241 lives lost and 2200 injured people and rather focusing on the rights of plotters, now it seems that the message Turkish people gave is well taken by the entire international community. High level visits from many friendly countries highlighted their support for Turkish Government and people. They were followed by the visit of US Vice President Biden. And now a number of high level visits from European countries continue to take place.
Currently, Turkey is combatting multiple terrorist organizations simultaneously. FETO could not achieve bringing turmoil to Turkey and hit the wall of our nation’s resolve. Now other terrorist groups are trying their chances, but to no avail. The government is now working to unfold the links between FETO and other terrorist groups such as PKK. Turkey, with all its institutions and security forces are now even more committed to clear all the terrorist groups.
After a dark night on 15 July, Turkey is now united as ever domestically and enjoys the solidarity of as many friends from all around the world.
Let us remember, the plotters started to stage their act on 15 July by blocking the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul. Turkish Government, instead, continues opening new bridges. Third Bosphorus Bridge was opened on 26 August, “Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge”, with a width of 59 meters and 322 meters of height, running in total 2,164 meters from end to end, stretching 1,408 meters over the Bosphorus, which makes it the longest suspension bridge in the world with a rail system.
Ed.’s Note: Fatih Ulusoy is Ambassador of Turkey to Ethiopia and the African Union. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Reporter.
