By Can Erozden
ANKARA (AA) - There are now less than 700 terrorists in Turkey as the country is taking significant counter-terror measures on its borders to block terrorist entries, interior minister said on Wednesday.
Hosted at the Anadolu Agency’s Editor’s Desk, Suleyman Soylu said: “There are less than 700 terrorists in Turkey. The [terrorist] entry into the country is so little, as well. 12 people entered [Turkey] since January. We are taking serious measures at our borders.”
On Turkey’s fight against PKK, Soylu said that Turkey plans to conduct a joint anti-terror operation with Iran against the group.
Separately, Soylu slammed the PKK for recruiting teenagers in its combat against Turkey.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU. In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, it has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.
- Saudi trolls target Soylu
Turkey also carries out joint works with the European and Arab countries to chase terror-linked individuals for safety of tourists, Soylu added. His remarks came after Saudi trolls targeted him by his remarks against terrorism.
The trolls shared a video “Interior Minister Soylu threatens everyone who criticizes Turkey and the tourists” subtitled in Arabic.
Sharing anti-Soylu posts on their social media accounts, they tried to scheme against the Turkish minister by tilting the speech against Arabs, when it actually targets Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and PKK terrorists.
The trolls falsely attributed quotes to Soylu such as: “Don’t think that this issue will end like this. Those who oppose Turkey abroad and then plan holidays in the Mediterranean cities and Antalya will be arrested. Files have been prepared against them by police at the airports.
The actual speech was about Turkey’s fight against terrorism and explained the problems big states face.
"We, as four, Foreign Ministry, Justice Ministry, Interior Ministry, Intelligence Service, are conducting wide-scale operations abroad as well. Not only FETO, but we are also carrying out large operations against PKK,” Soylu said in his speech.
“Let PKK members come to Turkey from abroad, we are arresting them at the airports now. It isn’t like Turkey is not aware of anything. You will talk there, then will come here for a holiday in Antalya… It is not the case anymore.
- FETO bags $800M from charter schools
On the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), Soylu said that it earns $800M alone from charter schools financed by US, group able to get $200M in donation.
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.