Turkish forces arrest 17 FETO suspects

IZMIR

Turkish forces on Wednesday arrested 17 Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) suspects in an anti-terror operation, security sources said.

The operation based in the western province of Izmir was carried out across 45 provinces. In the two days since it was launched, 118 FETO suspects were arrested.

The Izmir Prosecutor's Offices issued arrest warrants for 133 suspects, including 82 on-duty military officials.

They include three colonels, five majors, five captains, 12 first lieutenants, 54 non-commissioned officers and three sergeants.

The suspects are sought for reportedly being contacted by the so-called "covert imams" -- senior members -- of the terrorist organization via pay phones.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt 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 Davut Demircan