Afghanistan: Turkey acquires 5 more FETO-linked schools

By Sayed Khodaberdi Sadat

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - Turkey on Friday took over five additional schools previously run by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in Afghanistan.

The schools were handed over to Turkey's Maarif Foundation.

With the move, all 13 FETO-run schools in the country have been handed over to the Turkish education body.

Previously, the Turkish Maarif Foundation took over the full authorities of several FETO-linked schools in the war-torn country.

Turkey established the Maarif Foundation in 2016 -- after a deadly coup attempt -- to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO. The foundation also establishes schools and education centers abroad.

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

Ankara also 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.

The terror group has a considerable presence abroad, including private schools which serve as a revenue stream for the terror group.