Trees planted in Kenya to honor Turks killed in 2016 defeated coup

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Turkish and Kenyan officials planted trees at a special memorial forest in Nairobi on Friday in honor of those killed in the defeated coup of July 15, 2016.

“We are here today to honor the martyrs who gave their lives to defend Turkish democracy,” Turkish Ambassador to Kenya Cemil Ahmet Miroglu told Anadolu Agency at a ceremony held to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the FETO terror group’s defeated coup bid.

“We are here to honor their bravery during that coup attempt.”

Miroglu and other Turkish and Kenyan officials planted saplings at the July 15 Martyrs Memorial Forest, which is located in the Ngong Hills area on Nairobi’s outskirts and was inaugurated on the fourth anniversary of the defeated coup.

“Terrorism has no nationality,” Jane Ndeti from the Kenya Forest Service told Anadolu Agency.

“We appreciate the partnership we have with our Turkish friends. This memorial forest looks really beautiful and will help increase Kenya’s forest cover,” she added.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup, which left 251 people martyred and 2,734 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state by infiltrating Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

The attempt by FETO to overthrow the government began around 10 p.m. local time (1900GMT) on July 15, 2016, and was thwarted by 8 a.m. the next day.

Facing down the threat, the Turkish people courageously showed the world that they would not tolerate any attempt to trample their will as expressed through their democratically elected government.