Fighting FETO is Turkey's sine qua non: Turkish VP

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's fight against terrorism will continue until the last terrorist is destroyed, the country’s vice president said early Saturday.

"Our fight notably against FETO, the PKK and Daesh is our sine qua non and is continuing," said Fuat Oktay during his closing speech on the final day of debate over Turkey’s 2019 budget.

Oktay noted that Turkey had "seriously" changed its strategy on fighting terrorism.

"We are no longer confronting the threats and dangers in our region, but wherever they exist," he said.

"We intend to continue our fight [against terrorism] until the last terrorist that poses a threat to our country is destroyed."

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (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 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.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women and children.