Turkey's intelligence agents have snatched 80 citizens from 18 countries as part of a sweeping operation against suspected members of the 2016 coup attempt, a deputy prime minister said on Thursday.
Ankara accuses US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen and his followers of being behind the July 15 coup bid and has vowed to wipe out the influence of the movement not just in Turkey but also in foreign states where it has built up substantial influence, especially in education.
Mr Gulen denies the charges, insisting he runs a peaceful movement known as Hizmet (Service), but Turkey calls Mr Gulen's group the Fethullah Terror Organisation (Feto).
"The MIT [National Intelligence Organisation] has so far taken 80 Feto members from 18 countries and brought them back to Turkey," said Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag, also government spokesman, in a television interview on Thursday.
Turkey has chased Gulen members inside and outside the country since the failed coup, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledging to cleanse state institutions of the Gulen "virus".
However the figure of 80 disclosed by Mr Bozdag is much larger than previously assumed and indicates MIT has taken suspects in secret operations.
Mr Bozdag did not say when or from which countries the citizens were taken.
Last month five Turkish teachers and a doctor, all alleged to be Gulenists, were flown back to Turkey from Kosovo in a covert operation carried out by the Pristina interior ministry and MIT.
The operation sparked a crisis in Kosovo, with both the prime minister and president protesting that they were not informed.
But Mr Bozdag trumpeted the Kosovo operation, full details of which have yet to be disclosed, as an example of MIT's success.
"MIT has dealt a big blow to Feto through operations carried out abroad," Mr Bozdag said.
"The operation in Kosovo is a big accomplishment."
Kosovo's Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj sacked his top security chiefs over their involvement in the operation, drawing an angry rebuke from Mr Erdogan.
"Hey Kosovo prime minister, who told you to do this? Since when did you start to protect those who tried to launch a coup in the Turkey?" he said.
The Turkish news agency Anadolu has described the six men expelled from Kosovo as senior individuals in the Gulen movement who were organising the international travel of members.
Turkey has arrested more than 38,000 people for links to Mr Gulen and fired about 110,000 public servants, including judges, members of the armed forces and police, and academics.
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Read more:
Turkey orders 70 army officers detained over Gulen links
Turkey says UN rights report 'biased' and 'unacceptable'
US-Turkey strained relations worsen in light of Ankara's re-arrest of Amnesty International official
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
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More on Quran memorisation:
Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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