FETÖ did not infiltrate; they were deliberately chosen

Conspiracy cases such as Balyoz (Sledgehammer), Ergenekon, and Military Espionage were coups aimed at destroying the Turkish Armed Forces, the Republic, and the works of Atatürk. With this coup, well-trained, elite personnel in the Turkish Armed Forces—which has a deep-rooted history of 2,225 years—who were loyal to Atatürk and the Republic, were purged in this conspiracy, which was clearly "unlawful." Soldiers loyal to Atatürk, the Republic, and the nation, who had reached certain positions through merit and hard work, were punished with the most unlawful decisions of the century.

In this country, regarding the fellow soldiers who were convicted in a sham trial where the greatest injustices of the century took place, it was said: “I will not chop onions for the meat at the butcher's.” Comradeship, loyalty to the army, and the sense of unity and solidarity were sacrificed for “the meat and onions at the butcher's.”  

While FETÖ, under the guidance of the CIA, was ruthlessly striking Atatürk, the Republic, and the Turkish Army with a sledgehammer, it became the high-level representative of the political power that said, “Turkey is heading toward a good point. These pains are, on one hand, birth pains, and on the other, the cleansing of its intestines” (1) in this country… During the period of the conspiracy cases, the political power's support for FETÖ was limitless.  

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In a headline story on June 27, 2014, Akşam Newspaper wrote that 40 generals and admirals in the Turkish Armed Forces, including one force commander, were operating on behalf of the Gülen community, known as the “parallel structure.” (2) The President of the time, Abdullah Gül, reacted harshly to this news and made a statement that same evening. In the statement made by the Presidency under the title "Reaction of the Commander-in-Chief," the following expressions were used: “Our President has viewed the publication made in a newspaper today regarding the command echelon and high-ranking officers of the Turkish Armed Forces as an example of great irresponsibility and has felt deep sorrow over it. Our President has reminded that in a period when extraordinary developments are taking place in our region, more diligence than ever should be shown in publications regarding the Turkish Armed Forces, which are the guarantor of our national interests.” (3)

The General Staff was also very angry at this news and reacted even more harshly than the President. The next day, it made a statement regarding the news of “40 parallel pashas at the headquarters.” Emphasizing that there was no concrete information or evidence regarding the allegations, the statement said, “There is no legal, humanitarian, or conscientious basis for the allegations and comments that contain an effort to create a negative perception about the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces)… It is observed with sadness that an image is being created as if formations outside the hierarchy and discipline could be organized within the TSK.” (4)

In this country, the President and the Chief of General Staff of the time did not take the FETÖ structure within the TSK seriously. For some reason, President Gül and Chief of General Staff Özel never defended the imprisoned TSK personnel regarding the conspiracy cases and always spoke of a supposed rule of law that did not exist.

It was during this period that FETÖ, which destroyed the reputation of the TSK, which has a deep-rooted history of 2,225 years, was brought to the most important duties and critical positions. But the highest authorities were saying that this reality was a lie. 

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FETÖ members did not feel the need to infiltrate and hide, especially after 2010; they were preferred by state institutions. The three institutions that used this preference most in favor of FETÖ were the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and the TSK. If it was revealed after December 2013 that 74 out of 81 provincial police chiefs were FETÖ members; 7 people do not infiltrate into 81, but 74 do. If it was determined that 6,500 out of 7,000 intelligence personnel in the General Directorate of Security were FETÖ members; 6,500 do not infiltrate into 7,000, but 6,500 do. In 2013, 17 out of 25 army colonels made brigadier generals; 7 out of 8 naval colonels made brigadier admirals were FETÖ members. In 2014, 5 out of 5 air force brigadier generals made major generals; 4 out of 5 gendarmerie colonels made brigadier generals were FETÖ members. This means there is no hiding or infiltration; there is a preference of around 90% in favor of FETÖ members; there is even a preference by spoiling them. In the 2011-2015 period, FETÖ lived its golden age in the TSK. Who made them live it?.. Those who called him 'Hocaefendi' made them live it, the commanders who ignored the warnings about the FETÖ structure and those who governed the country made them live it…

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It turned out that most of the FETÖ member generals/admirals who attempted the coup were promoted to a higher rank during the General Özel period between 2011-2015. And as a result… FETÖ members did not infiltrate the TSK, they did not hide themselves, they grew stronger because they were openly preferred by being spoiled, and they caused the July 15 disaster. Unless the 2011-2015 period in the TSK is examined in detail, you cannot reach the main vein of FETÖ… Especially, doesn't the fact that the Supreme Military Council held between 2011-2015 excluded generals/admirals loyal to the Military Oath and preferred FETÖ disciples make the decisions taken legally void?.. Where is the law?.. Who signed these decisions? I did not sign them…

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The 1877-1878 Ottoman-Russian War was a disaster for the army. The Balkan War was the second major catastrophe for an army that had become involved in politics. The July 15, 2016 treacherous coup attempt became the third major disaster for the TSK. 

The main culprit of the disaster, the FETÖ ringleader, died without being held accountable. However, the collaborators who caused this disaster to happen have not yet been tried. Where is the law?..

And the year is 2024…

Only eight years have passed since July 15, 2016… News of sects and communities organizing in institutions has become widespread.

“They describe history as 'repeating itself'; if any lesson had been learned, would it repeat itself?...”, says Mehmet Akif…

Turkey will not see better days with these policies…

References:

(1)https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/turkiye-bagirsaklarini-temizliyor-diyen-arincin-damadini-ergenekonun-gizli-tanigi-yakti-755850

(2) T24.com.tr, June 27, 2014, 16.31.

(3) Milliyet.com, June 27, 2014, 22.11.

(4) Cumhuriyet.com, June 28, 2014, 11.11.