Global influence of FETO diminishing: Turkish envoy

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - Global influence of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization is diminishing, Turkey’s ambassador to Ethiopia said on Friday.

Fatih Ulusoy, who is also the permanent representative of Turkey to the African Union, was speaking at a news conference at the Turkish embassy in connection with the 2nd anniversary of the defeated coup.

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.

“They portray themselves as an education movement by starting the campaign of establishing schools in Turkey and later around the world. But, we now understand that this was the first step of an infiltration campaign into those countries with the promise of a better education and a good job,” Ulusoy said.

“In many regions, FETO schools and other entities have been closely inspected and put under control, [while] investigations into FETO structures and FETO operatives are underway in many countries,” Ambassador Ulusoy said.

The ambassador recounted how ordinary people defeated the fighter jets, military tanks and helicopters on July 15, 2016.

“Ordinary people with flags defeated fighter jets, military tanks and helicopters. Might is not right. However, if you are defending a right cause, then the might is on your side,” he said.

“Turkish people established their ownership to keep democracy and resisted any unconstitutional change of government. They gave a lesson of democracy,” the ambassador added.

Ambassador Ulusoy thanked Ethiopia for the solidarity it demonstrated over the defeated coup in Turkey.

“Turkey will never forget that,” he said.