Presidents of Turkey, Niger discuss regional developments

By Berk Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) – In a phone call, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday discussed regional developments with Mohamed Bazoum, his counterpart from the West African country of Niger.

During the call, Erdogan said that he places great importance on relations with Niger, Turkey’s Communications Directorate said in a statement.

Erdogan also said that Niger will continue its close cooperation in the fight against Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the defeated 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, in which 251 people were killed and 2,734 injured.

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

FETO also has a large presence outside Turkey, including schools it runs as a source of revenue.

Expressing condolences for the people who lost their lives in armed attacks in Niger on Tuesday, Erdogan said Turkey supports Niger's counter-terrorism efforts.

Gunmen identified as terrorists on Tuesday killed at least 25 people in southwest Niger, near the border with Mali, the latest in a string of deadly attacks.

Turkey’s TB-2 unmanned aerial vehicles, Hurkus training plane, and armored vehicles will boost the capacities of the military and security forces of Niger, Erdogan added.

* Writing by Gozde Bayar