Turkish security forces have detained 26 individuals in Istanbul in a sweeping counterterrorism operation targeting the financial structure of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO), according to local media and official sources.

The coordinated operation, carried out across nine provinces, was led by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in cooperation with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Istanbul Police Department. The detentions form part of a broader investigation centered in Izmir, aimed at dismantling FETO’s alleged economic infrastructure and illicit funding channels.

As part of the crackdown, Turkish authorities have issued arrest warrants for 371 suspects spanning 60 provinces, signaling the scale and reach of the effort to neutralize the group’s financial operations.

Turkish officials have long accused FETO—led by U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gülen—of masterminding the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, which claimed the lives of over 250 people and injured thousands. Since then, the Turkish government has designated FETO a terrorist organization and has pursued an extensive campaign to root out its influence across the state apparatus, private sector, education institutions, and financial networks.

The latest arrests on the ninth anniversary of the attempted coup underscore Türkiye’s ongoing commitment to what it describes as a "decisive struggle against the shadow organization", particularly in disrupting its financial lifelines.

Authorities have not yet disclosed specific details about the detainees or the nature of the charges, but sources suggest that further operations and judicial proceedings are underway.

Security operations against FETO continue to be a central component of Türkiye’s national security policy, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan frequently reaffirming the state’s resolve to “hold all perpetrators and supporters accountable, wherever they may be.”

Investigations remain ongoing, and additional updates are expected from the Interior Ministry and judicial authorities in the coming days.  (ILKHA)