Türkiye’s military has strengthened its institutional structure, rebuilt its education system and restored critical personnel capacity in the decade since the failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and the head of the National Defense University said.

Speaking to Sabah newspaper, Güler said that the fight against the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) was continuing without interruption and with the same determination shown in its immediate aftermath.

He said 24,008 personnel had been dismissed from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) while the ranks of 2,198 retired personnel had been revoked as part of investigations into alleged links to the group.

“The most important issue for the Turkish Armed Forces is not the figures, but the uncompromising continuation of the struggle against this treacherous structure that attempted to infiltrate the state,” Güler noted.

He said new information and documents were being evaluated in coordination with relevant institutions and that judicial procedures were being carried out with what he described as great sensitivity.

“Our struggle against those who betrayed our state and nation will continue with the same determination until not a single affiliated member remains,” he stressed.

The minister described July 15 as one of the darkest nights in the country’s history, but also as one of its most significant democratic resistance movements.

He said the attempt was defeated through the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, public resistance and the efforts of members of the security forces and military who remained loyal to the constitutional order.

“The nation showed the entire world that it would never surrender to any center of tutelage or act of betrayal.”

Underlining that the central lesson of the failed coup was the need to preserve national unity and solidarity, Güler added that the military introduced extensive reforms over the past decade in recruitment, professional military education, career planning and internal oversight.

He said a personnel system built around merit, discipline, transparency and the rule of law had helped the armed forces become more effective, respected and capable of deterrence.

FETÖ had sought to weaken the military’s institutional structure, undermine unity of command and damage public confidence in the armed forces, but had failed to achieve those aims, according to him.

He recalled that the military was currently conducting some of the most extensive operations in its history, including border security missions, counterterrorism operations, maritime deployments and international assignments.

Citing domestically produced defense technology, improved training standards and qualified personnel as factors that had increased the military’s operational capacity, Güler said planned recruitment and training programs had largely resolved the shortage and that the air force was now capable of conducting its missions inside Türkiye and across its borders.

Furthermore, National Defense University (MSÜ) Rector Erhan Afyoncu said the military education system had to be effectively rebuilt from the ground up, describing the coup attempt as more than a conventional military takeover, calling it an attempt by an espionage network to occupy Türkiye and provoke civil war.

He noted the group had gradually placed members in military high schools and academies beginning in the 1970s, intensifying those efforts after 1980.

According to Afyoncu, the network recruited children, prepared them for military careers and helped them rise through the ranks, while allegedly forcing out students who were not affiliated with the group.

He said unusually high numbers of dismissals from military schools before 2016 should have raised concerns among senior commanders.

Afyoncu said about 16,000 students were removed from military schools following the coup attempt, leaving the system without a functioning structure.

The National Defense University was established later that month, bringing army, navy and air force education institutions under a single civilian-supervised organization.

Afyoncu said the new structure introduced joint civilian-military administration, revised curricula and courses on democracy, civil society, military history and what he called Turkish war philosophy.

He said the university’s curricula were also aligned with the standards of Türkiye’s Council of Higher Education and pointed out that public interest in military education remained high despite fears that families would be reluctant to send their children to military schools following the coup attempt.

“When we began accepting students only a few months after the coup, people came in large numbers,” he said. “The Turkish nation protected its own military education system.”

The university has since graduated nearly 67,000 officers and noncommissioned officers, he remarked, helping fill much of the personnel gap created by the dismissals.

Afyoncu said the graduates had enabled the military to maintain operations in multiple regions and continue naval and overseas deployments.

“Without those 67,000 graduates, these military operations could not have been carried out,” he said.

Afyoncu also added that Türkiye had expanded military education cooperation with partner countries. Foreign enrollment at the university had risen from students representing 16 countries at the time of its establishment to students from around 50 countries.

Similar military universities had also been established or were being developed in Azerbaijan, Syria and Uzbekistan, he noted.

Both Güler and Afyoncu said reforms were intended to prevent similar networks from infiltrating the military in the future.

Güler said the armed forces would continue to serve under the Constitution and laws, under civilian authority and in the service of the nation.

“We will continue working with the same determination and sacrifice for the security, independence and survival of our country,” he emphasized.

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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Wednesday that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership and the Turkish people’s unity were decisive in defeating the failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt, describing the events as a defining moment in Türkiye’s modern history.

In a message marking Türkiye’s Democracy and National Unity Day, Aliyev commemorated those killed while resisting the coup attempt and extended his condolences to their families and the Turkish people.

Aliyev described July 15 as one of the most tragic as well as one of the most honorable chapters in Türkiye’s recent history, saying the attempted coup targeted the country’s constitutional order, democratic institutions and national will.

He said the attempt was thwarted through what he called the Turkish people’s determination, courage and commitment to their country, citing Erdoğan’s leadership in helping steer Türkiye through the crisis.

Referring to the Turkish leader, “Your determined and farsighted leadership, together with the unity of your people around you and their immediate response to your calls, became one of the main factors that saved your country from a great disaster on that critical night,” Aliyev said in the message.

He added that Türkiye emerged stronger from the failed coup attempt and demonstrated the strength of its national will and state traditions.

Azerbaijani president said the events of July 15 showed that attempts to undermine the state could not succeed in the face of unity between the nation and the government. He described the annual commemoration as a symbol of the Turkish people’s solidarity, resilience and commitment to democratic institutions.

Reaffirming Azerbaijan’s support for Türkiye, Aliyev underlined that Baku stood in solidarity with Ankara during the coup attempt under the principle of “One nation, two states.”

He said that solidarity reflected the enduring brotherhood between the two countries and expressed confidence that their strategic alliance would continue to deepen through joint efforts.

Aliyev concluded his message by wishing Erdoğan good health and continued success, while expressing hopes for lasting peace, stability and prosperity for Türkiye.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joined lawmakers for a commemoration event at Parliament on Wednesday, on the 10th anniversary of heroic resistance to the July 15, 2016 coup attempt by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).

Hailing the resistance to the coup by the nation and lawmakers who defied airstrikes targeting Parliament 10 years ago, Erdoğan warned that FETÖ was alive, especially in online black propaganda against Türkiye. He ruled out any possibility of amnesty for FETÖ members while emphasizing that the group continued collaboration with “enemies of Türkiye.”

“Though they failed 10 years ago, they are seeking to revive their sinister ambitions. They are cooperating with everyone hostile to the Turkish nation to avenge their failure,” Erdoğan said in reference to the terrorist group.

“(FETÖ) is using social media to incite strife. FETÖ terrorists are servants of Türkiye’s enemies,” he noted. Erdoğan stressed that they were lobbying in cooperation with anti-Turkish lobbies. “They are resorting to every lie to target Türkiye,” he said. Erdoğan said, “FETÖ terrorists who sold their souls for $1 are also servants of avowed enemies of Türkiye.” He was referring to $1 bills with a serial number starting with the letter F, which was used by secret members of FETÖ to recognize each other.

Erdoğan said that “the honorable nation made a sacrifice to disrupt the dirty plot” on July 15, 2016, and spoiled “the imperialist project.” The president linked the accomplishments of Türkiye in the past decade, from the defense industry to security and foreign policy, to the “removal of FETÖ” from the state institutions and other places they infiltrated into.

He noted that the 2024 death of FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen upset the motivation of the group, but they were still dangerous. “FETÖ threat is quarantined, but danger prevails. We are talking about a mindset pointing guns at this nation, we should remember that,” he said.

A group of members of the group calling themselves “Yeni (New) Herkul,” in reference to a website publishing Gülen’s so-called sermons in the past, have penned a public letter to Erdoğan and condemned the coup attempt while seeking to redeem themselves. Erdoğan did not openly mention the letter but was blunt in his opposition to FETÖ: “Mercy for the oppressor is oppression of the innocent. We should not fall for this,” he said.

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Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said Thursday that civil society organizations must operate transparently and remain subject to legal oversight regarding an ongoing investigation into the Ahbap charity, while authorities continue a probe into alleged financial crimes involving several members of the organization.

Speaking at the Judicial Evaluation Meeting attended by chief public prosecutors and heads of judicial commissions from all 81 provinces, Gürlek emphasized that no organization operating on public trust is exempt from state oversight.

“Civil society cannot serve as a shield from legal scrutiny, arbitrary conduct or the management of public trust without accountability,” Gürlek said. “The spirit of solidarity cannot be abused. For nongovernmental organizations, transparency is not a matter of preference but a legal and moral obligation.”

The minister said the investigation into allegations concerning the use of donations collected through civil society activities demonstrates the state’s commitment to protecting public trust. He added that organizations working alongside the government during disasters and humanitarian crises remain valuable partners, but stressed that every donation must be fully accountable.

Gürlek also noted judicial authorities would conduct the investigation impartially and on the basis of evidence, rejecting attempts to influence the courts through social media campaigns or political pressure.

His remarks came days after prosecutors overseeing the Ahbap investigation announced the arrest of 14 suspects, including the charity’s founder, musician Haluk Levent.

According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, 25 suspects were referred to court following an investigation coordinated by the Financial Crimes Division of the Istanbul Police Department into allegations including establishing a criminal organization, aggravated fraud and laundering proceeds of crime.

Prosecutors said financial crime investigators examined banking records, Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) reports, account transactions and surveillance findings. Authorities alleged that several suspects conducted financial transactions inconsistent with their declared income, transferred large sums of money among themselves, lost substantial amounts through betting activities and carried out multiple property transfers within a short period.

Nineteen suspects were referred to court with requests for arrest, while six were referred under judicial control measures. Courts ordered the arrest of 14 suspects.

Crackdown on organized crime

Moreover, the minister also pledged to intensify the government’s fight against organized crime groups and illegal betting networks, remarking that authorities will target both criminal organizations and their financial infrastructure.

He said authorities would not tolerate criminal groups that recruit children and young people, spread fear in neighborhoods, or glorify violence and firearms. Beyond arresting gang leaders and members, prosecutors are also investigating criminal organizations’ financial resources, weapons supply networks and assets obtained through drug trafficking and other illicit activities.

“We will not leave our streets to criminal organizations,” Gürlek stressed, adding that close coordination between prosecutors and law enforcement agencies has helped narrow the operational space of street gangs and disrupt their funding sources.

Gürlek also described illegal betting and online gambling as a multidimensional threat that harms families, fuels addiction among young people and provides financing for organized crime.

He said the government’s strategy extends beyond prosecuting suspects to dismantling the financial networks behind the operations. Authorities are strengthening measures to prevent bank accounts and mobile phone lines from being used for criminal purposes, reinforcing cybercrime investigation units within prosecutors’ offices and closely monitoring financial flows involving cryptocurrencies, electronic payment institutions and social media advertisements.

The minister said authorities remain committed to exposing the financial structures behind illegal betting operations and confiscating proceeds generated through criminal activity.

Fight against FETÖ

During his speech, Gürlek reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), saying authorities would maintain investigations into the group’s current structure, financial resources, clandestine networks, safe houses and overseas connections, stressing that all judicial proceedings would be based on concrete evidence and respect the right to a fair trial.

He described FETÖ as more than a terrorist group, accusing it of infiltrating state institutions and attempting to manipulate the judiciary, education system and security apparatus for its own interests.

“The Republic of Türkiye will never allow any tutelage, parallel structure or terrorist group to prevail over the will of the nation,” he said.

Modernizing judiciary

The minister also highlighted recent reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of the judicial system, citing investments in new courthouse facilities and digital platforms, including the National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP), e-hearings and the Video Conference System (SEGBİS).

Gürlek said amendments to the execution of sentences were introduced to address public concerns over perceived impunity, including requirements that offenders serve a minimum portion of their prison terms before becoming eligible for supervised release and revised sentencing rules for repeat offenders.

He said the reforms are intended to strengthen public confidence in the justice system while ensuring effective investigations, fair trials, protection of victims’ rights and the rehabilitation of convicted offenders.

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A witness in an investigation into an alleged plot targeting the wife of Türkiye’s justice minister told prosecutors that two suspects discussed payment for carrying out the planned attack. The account, which investigators say is consistent with cash seized during police raids, emerged after two suspects were arrested pending trial, according to a report by Sabah newspaper.

The investigation, led by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, was launched after an anonymous complaint was submitted through Türkiye’s Presidential Communication Center (CİMER), authorities said.

Prosecutors allege that suspects Uğur Yılmaz and Yavuz Canbaşı were preparing a “high-profile action” targeting Elif Gülşah Gürlek, the wife of Justice Minister Akın Gürlek. The suspects were arrested pending trial.

According to the witness’s testimony, the individual overheard several men discussing travel plans abroad while mentioning Elif Gülşah Gürlek by name. The witness said the conversation raised suspicions after recognizing the surname as that of the justice minister and later reported the matter to authorities.

The witness told investigators that Canbaşı was engaged in a video call with a man later identified as Yılmaz. According to the testimony, Canbaşı allegedly requested TL 250,000 (nearly $6,000) for carrying out the planned attack, while Yılmaz allegedly replied: “I’ll give you TL 1.5 million after the job is done. The money is ready.”

Meanwhile, investigators later seized TL 1.748 million in cash during a search of Yılmaz’s residence. The amount has drawn attention because prosecutors say it closely matches the payment allegedly discussed in the witness statement. Overall, police said more than TL 3.2 million in cash and several unlicensed firearms were seized during the operation.

In his police statement, Yılmaz denied any involvement in an alleged assassination plot.

He also denied the allegation that he promised payment for the attack and claimed the cash found at his home came from the sale of a vehicle.

When asked why he refused to provide the password to his mobile phone, Yılmaz reportedly told investigators it contained private photographs of himself and his girlfriend.

Authorities also allege that Yılmaz and Canbaşı recruited individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 on behalf of domestic and international organized crime groups. Investigators claim those recruits were later used to carry out armed attacks and shootings.

The investigation remains ongoing; both suspects remain in custody pending further judicial proceedings.

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The Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) left its low-ranking members to fend for themselves after counterterrorism operations in Türkiye reduced its clout. Its high-ranking figures, however, enjoy a comfortable life in the U.S. The country, where the now-deceased FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen lived for decades, became a safe haven for the group, especially after 2014. Starting that year, when it came under fresh scrutiny in Türkiye, the terrorist group helped its top figures to flee abroad. The Western countries embraced them.

Top cadres of FETÖ and their families have been living as fugitives since then, but theirs have been more comfortable compared to those of other crimes. They managed to secure long-term residence permits and a life of luxury, as indicated by photos and images of their posh residences and wedding ceremonies of FETÖ members abroad.

In the meantime, influential names of FETÖ abroad advised “patience” to other members facing legal proceedings in Türkiye and told them that the prison terms they were handed down and their life in hiding were just “an earthly test,” tapping into religious jargon the group skillfully used for years to disguise its ambitions to seize power. The stark divide between the lives of those abroad and those imprisoned in Türkiye eventually led to infighting in the group, with criticism mounting against “elder brothers” living comfortably in the United States from low-ranking members.

Among those living in the United States are Barbaros Kocakurt, a member of FETÖ’s so-called “executive council,” and Ismail Büyükçelebi, another top figure of the group, who are currently on trial in Türkiye. Both men and their families live in New Jersey, U.S. New Jersey is also home to the family of Adil Öksüz, a former lecturer who orchestrated the 2016 coup attempt of FETÖ with military infiltrators. Abdülhadi Yıldırım, the brother-in-law of Öksüz who lives in the United States, purchased the new residence of the Öksüz family with funds from FETÖ. The family of Hakan Çiçek, another civilian who helped mastermind the coup attempt with Öksüz, also lives in the U.S., financing their lives with FETÖ funds.

FETÖ’s top figures turned to commerce to fund the group in the U.S. and are active in several businesses, from IT companies to furniture and food companies. Temel Alsancak, Osman Hilmi Özdil, Hamza Sevinç, Özcan Aytuluner and Ismail Kokuroğlu are just a few FETÖ figures who set up businesses in the U.S. Their capital was also provided by FETÖ’s own funds, believed to be created through past donations by unsuspecting sympathizers of the group.

The terrorist group also pays “salaries” to its top names, ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, according to the security sources. The 12 members of the “executive council” of FETÖ are among the highest-paid figures of the terrorist group.

After the 2024 death of Fetullah Gülen, however, the terrorist group has been embroiled in internal strife, which manifested itself in social media battles between members. Losing its central authority after the failure of the coup, the terrorist group appears to be heading into a dissolution process.

The leadership struggles and deep internal rifts that had long been concealed within the group’s senior ranks became fully exposed after Gülen’s death.

Power struggle

A fierce power struggle has emerged between the group known as the “mollas,” which seeks to control the group’s vast financial resources and administrative structure, and its Europe- and U.S.-based factions.

In particular, the rivalry over the distribution of power between senior figures such as Cevdet Türkyolu, regarded as Gülen’s closest confidant, and Mustafa Özcan, who is said to have overseen the group’s financial network, has triggered a major crisis of confidence among members, accompanied by mutual accusations of internal purges.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Aymaz, a key figure in FETÖ’s European network, has reportedly been working to consolidate control over its financial and operational activities across Europe.

Disputes over the management of multimillion-dollar real estate holdings and the group’s international education network have divided it into regional power centers.

As rank-and-file members have begun to lose their loyalty to FETÖ and financial contributions have declined, ownership disputes have erupted over schools and foundations operating internationally.

Following Gülen’s death, disintegration within the lower ranks accelerated, while allegations of corruption and the embezzlement of organizational funds evolved into public exchanges and mutual accusations on social media.

Social media posts in which senior members accuse one another of corruption, misappropriating funds and collaborating with foreign intelligence services in an effort to gain control of foundation assets and real estate reportedly worth billions of dollars have highlighted the scale of the group’s internal breakdown and what supporters of this view describe as an ongoing process of fragmentation.

Former members have also begun publishing documents related to previously concealed clandestine operations, alleged blackmail materials, and claims of internal misconduct through social media platforms. According to these accounts, the disclosures have exposed FETÖ’s past activities while demonstrating that trust and loyalty within its ranks have largely collapsed.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was first targeted by the group while he was serving as intelligence chief, said the group’s date of expiration is long overdue.

Fidan said they continue to work around the clock to prevent FETÖ from carrying out illegitimate activities, espionage, and actions aimed against Türkiye in the countries where the group operates.

“FETÖ is now a group whose period of usefulness has come to an end. Despite this, it continues its struggle against the state. It continues its campaign against the leaders elected by the people to govern the country. In doing so, it also cooperates with international malign power centers. This is a disgrace. At present, the group’s leaders are effectively holding a group of people hostage. These individuals are living in exile abroad. They need to wake up, break free from the illusion they have been living under, rediscover genuine love for their homeland, embrace true religious belief and practice, renew their loyalty to their nation and state, and stand up against the group. As long as they do not rebel against the group, it will continue to exploit their existence to serve foreign intelligence services and maintain its value in the eyes of those actors,” Fidan stated.

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