Since July 2016 more than 15,000 military personnel, including 150 generals and admirals, have been dismissed across Turkey as part of investigations into the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), the group behind a defeated coup attempt, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said.

"After the traitorous July 15 coup attempt, we've done work to clear out FETÖ members, using all opportunities," Akar said, speaking to Anadolu Agency in Ankara.

"As part of this, to date 15,153 people -- 150 out of them generals and admirals -- have been dismissed."

Akar voiced his resolve to completely root out the terror group, saying: "We are determined and driven to go to wherever it extends in order to put an end to this."

"We are ready to do whatever is needed when new information and documents emerge," he added.

FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

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