Terrorist Fetullah Gulen dead: FETO’s role in Türkiye’s July 15 coup attempt

Fetullah Gulen, leader of the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO), which established a parallel state structure in Türkiye and orchestrated the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, has reportedly died in Pennsylvania.

On July 15, 2016, a faction within the Turkish military, linked to FETO, attempted a coup, resulting in widespread violence and the deaths of over 251 people, before being ultimately thwarted by Turkish authorities and citizens.

What happened on July 15, 2016?

July 15 marks the second anniversary of the failed coup attempt by the FETO terrorist group. This clandestine organization, disguised as an educational movement, infiltrated state institutions, particularly the military, judiciary, civil service and treasury, in an effort to seize control of the government in 2016.

The night of July 15, 2016, the coup attempt saw tanks closing down a bridge in Istanbul that connects Asia to Europe and fighter jets and helicopters flying down over Istanbul and Ankara and bombing the presidential complex, parliament building, police and intelligence headquarters, while civilians came out to resist the coup.

Then-Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar was taken hostage by the putschists after he refused to support the coup attempt.

During the defeated coup, a total of 251 people including police and civilians were martyred, and nearly 2,200 were wounded.

The coup attempt, orchestrated by FETO and led by the U.S.-based so-called “cleric” Fetullah Gulen, aimed to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government while seizing control of the state.

In a television appearance at 11.02 p.m., then-Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said it was a revolt and they were evaluating the possibility of a coup attempt. He added: “Those who are involved in this unlawful act will pay the heaviest price.”

Speaking to CNN Turk at 12.24 a.m., President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said: “This incident, unfortunately, is the coup attempt of a minority within the Turkish Armed Forces. This is a revolt encouraged and used by the parallel structure (FETO) as its mastermind.”

The president called on the Turkish people to take to the streets in order to stop the coup plotters.

In response, people poured into the squares to protect democracy all around Türkiye, especially in the capital Ankara and Istanbul, climbed on tanks, stood against guns and defeated the heinous coup attempt.