Erdogan reveals one-third of Turkish military officers dismissed following July 15 coup attempt
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech as he attends the Martyr Mustafa Cambaz Photography Contest Award Ceremony at the Democracy and Freedom Island in Istanbul, Türkiye on July 13, 2024. (Anadolu Images)
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made significant remarks about the fight against FETO on Saturday as the eighth anniversary of the July 15 coup attempt approaches. Erdogan reflected on the events of July 15 and discussed FETO’s impact on the Turkish Armed Forces.
Erdogan stated that out of 32,189 officers serving in the armed forces on July 15, 10,468—33 percent—were dismissed from the military. He also highlighted that 1,524 out of 1,886 general staff officers, or 81 percent, were expelled due to their affiliation with FETO.
Addressing the audience at an award ceremony named after Mustafa Cambaz, who was killed during the coup attempt, Erdogan noted that steps taken against FETO had not only quickly healed the wounds inflicted within the military but had also made further progress in various areas. He emphasized, “We will continue our fight against FETO meticulously without lowering our guard, avoiding complacency, and falling into the organization’s traps.”
