Iraq's govt taking steps against FETO: Ambassador

ANKARA (AA) – All sections of the Iraqi government have been ordered to take necessary steps against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization's (FETO) activities in the country, said Iraq’s ambassador to Turkey Monday.

Hisham Ali Akbar Ibrahim Al-Alawi told Anadolu Agency that Turkish authorities gave Baghdad requests not only to close FETO-linked schools but also on other issues about FETO, the terror cult accused of being behind last month’s defeated coup in Turkey.

"We contacted the respective departments to take the necessary steps on FETO activities in Iraq," he said.

Al-Alawi said that Turkey and Iraq share common cultural, political and economic history.

He said the Iraqi government gives full support to Turkey’s elected government and does not believe that coups bring benefits or stability to any society.

Al-Alawi called it impressive to see Turkey's political parties and people from various sectors of society protecting democracy and taking sides with the elected government regardless of the difference in their political choices and views.

The ambassador said that FETO has schools in the capital Baghdad as well as Basra and Kirkuk.

Al-Alawi added that he does not know if there are FETO-linked universities or hospitals in Iraq and that the schools in the country were founded at different times.

Northern Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) announced on Aug. 6 that management of FETO-linked schools in KRG will be turned over to the Education Ministry.

In Turkey, at least 240 people were killed in the foiled July 15 coup, which the government has said was organized by the followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

Gulen is also accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the Turkish government through the infiltration of state institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.