Turkish armored units dispatched to outskirts of cities

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish armored units in two major cities have been dispatched to those outskirts in the wake of a recent failed coup, security sources told Anadolu Agency.

Military bases in Istanbul and Ankara were moved to rural areas and began to transfer their military vehicles and army staff to suburbs on Monday.

At least eight tanks were sent to the outskirts of Ankara while six 40-foot trailer trucks carrying military equipment were sent from Istanbul.

Military bases in those cities will be moved to the outskirts by Sept. 11.

The decision on the transfers came days after the bloody coup attempt organized by the Fetullah Terrorist Group (FETO) led by the U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen.

Turkey's government said the July 15 defeated coup, which left 240 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, was orchestrated by followers of Gulen and his FETO network.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999, is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.

*Hatice Kesgin contributed to this report from Ankara.