Türkiye to continue fight against FETO until threat eliminated: Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed Wednesday that Türkiye will continue its fight against the FETO terrorist organization under the rule of law until the threat is fully eliminated. Speaking on the 10th anniversary of the defeated coup attempt, Erdogan said: "Terrorist groups have reached a dead end; there is nowhere to go through hostility toward Türkiye."

Mentioning the night of the coup attempt, Erdogan recalled the popular resistance that foiled the plot. "That night, we saw the spirit that rose to its feet during the War of Independence come alive and spring into action once again," he said, noting that the nation once again witnessed the greatness of the Turkish people. The president expressed gratitude to members of the Turkish Armed Forces who remained loyal to their uniforms despite betrayal by fellow officers.

'Betrayal is a sinister virus'

Erdogan described treason as a disease that destroys moral fiber. "Please do not forget this: betrayal is a sinister virus that spreads through the body it infects, reaching every cell," he stated, adding that this virus recognizes no moral limits. He characterized coup plotters as "soulless and dishonorable mankurts" who lack shame or loyalty to the homeland, saying they "stab their state and nation in the back for worldly gain."

The president also reaffirmed Ankara's commitment to supporting oppressed peoples across the world. Türkiye will continue standing with "oppressed and suffering people from Gaza to Lebanon, Somalia to Syria, and from Rakhine to Sudan," Erdogan added. The defeated July 15, 2016 coup attempt was plotted by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), leaving 253 people killed and 2,734 wounded.