Turkey's 2nd anniversary of coup attempt marked in US
FETO-linked coup plotters did not take into account Turkish people's resistance on coup night, says Turkey's envoy
By Safvan Allahverdi
WASHINGTON
The Turkish Embassy in Washington on Sunday held a ceremony to mark 2016 defeated coup, orchestrated by Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).
The event started with a minute of silence observed in the honor of the victims of July 15 defeated coup, followed by singing of the Turkish national anthem.
In his opening speech, Turkey's Ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kilic said Turkish democracy, constitutional order and its democratically elected leader came under "an unprecedented attack by a heinous group [FETO]" on the night of coup attempt.
"But on that night, they did not take into account the Turkish people who displayed a glorious resistance against the terrorist coup plotters by taking to the streets," he added.
He said Turkey is a "dedicated and determined" country in its fight against FETO and other terrorist organizations.
"And we expect the necessary steadfast solidarity and support from our allies and partners in this fight," he added.
The event was attended by Azerbaijan Ambassador to the U.S. Elin Suleymanov Eminoglu, U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elisabeth I. Millard, former Commander of the Turkish Land Forces General Salih Zeki Colak, heads of different NGOs, embassy staffers and Turkish-Americans.
On July 15, 2016 FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated a defeated coup in Turkey which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Since the coup attempt, Turkey has sought Gulen's extradition from the U.S., and complained that the U.S. is not moving fast enough.
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.
FETO has a considerable presence outside Turkey, including private educational institutions that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group, including in the U.S.
