Turkey: Over 90 terrorists ‘neutralized’ in February

ANKARA

Turkish security forces “neutralized” at least 93 terrorists in February, the country’s deputy interior minister said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Ismail Catakli said the terrorists included 56 members of PKK/KCK, 22 of Daesh and 15 of far-left terror groups.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is the group's Syrian branch.

More than 300 people have lost their lives in Daesh-claimed attacks in Turkey, where the terror organization has targeted civilians in suicide bombs, rocket and gun attacks.

Since July 15, 2016 defeated coup, Catakli said, a total of 511,646 individuals have been facing judicial procedures countrywide for their link to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). He said 30,709 FETO-linked suspects are under arrest, while 19,329 have been found guilty.

He said 95,310 users of ByLock -- an encrypted cellphone app used by coup plotters -- have been detected and 79,337 of them are being tried.

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

Ankara 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 Beyza Binnur Donmez