25 January 2019•Update: 25 January 2019
KABUL, Afghanistan
Afghan security forces took control of three schools run by Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in Mazar-i Sharif in a raid conducted upon a court order.
The schools in the fourth largest city of Afghanistan will be handed over to Turkey's Maarif Foundation very soon, Afghan officials said.
Turkey established the Maarif Foundation in 2016 to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO. The foundation has assumed control of numerous schools previously run by FETO around the world, including at least 32 in Africa, according to Turkey's National Education Ministry.
Under a pact between Turkey and Afghanistan signed in February and approved in April last year, 12 schools linked to FETO are now managed by the Maarif.
Turkey has asked several countries worldwide to shut schools, colleges and businesses linked to the terror group in the wake of the July 15, 2016 defeated coup attempt which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Last year, Pakistan, another close ally of Turkey, ordered the shutdown of schools run by FETO and deported dozens of FETO-linked staff to Turkey.
The 2016 deadly coup bid was orchestrated by FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen.
Ankara also 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 has a considerable presence outside Turkey, including private schools that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group.
Reporting by Sayed Khodaberdi Sadat:Writing by Vakkas Dogantekin
