UPDATE 2 - Arrest warrants out for FETO terror suspects

UPDATES WITH SEPARATE OPERATIONS; REVISES DECK

By Meric Urer, Halil Demir and Ismet Karakas

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security authorities on Tuesday launched multiple operations in various provinces to arrest terror suspects affiliated with the FETO -- the terror group behind the bloody failed coup attempt of 2016.

Prosecutors issued arrest warrants for a total of 191 suspects, including 181 on-duty members of the Turkish Air Forces, and security forces started Izmir-based simultaneous operations in 22 provinces.

Security sources also announced that 145 of the suspects were arrested.

Separately, prosecutors issued arrest warrants for a total of 44 suspects, including eight on-duty members of the Turkish Armed Forces, and security forces started Istanbul-based simultaneous operations in eight provinces.

Security sources said 33 of the suspects were arrested.

Prosecutors in the capital Ankara also issued arrest warrants for a total of 32 suspects, including 13 on-duty members of the Turkish Air Forces.

Security sources announced that 25 of the suspects were arrested in simultaneous operations in 14 provinces.

In another Ankara-based operation, the prosecutors also issued arrest warrants for eight suspects, including an on-duty member of the Turkish Gendarmerie General Command.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Turkey 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.

* Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur in Ankara