Turkey, Senegal to continue cooperation against FETO

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey will continue its cooperation with Senegal in the fight against Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Erdogan made the remarks while addressing a joint news conference in Dakar with his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall.

"Our cooperation with Senegal in combatting FETO is to continue. Shutting down of FETO-linked schools is very, very important," Erdogan said.

"We will raise a generation which is fond of its motherland, which works for the country and their family -- through schools being established in Senegal through our Maarif Foundation," he added.

Turkey established the Maarif Foundation in 2016 to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO. It also establishes schools and education centers abroad.

The Turkish president arrived in Senegal as part of a four-country tour of Africa which started on Feb. 26 with a visit to Algeria, followed by Mauritania. His last stop will be Mali.