President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey Replaces Top Military Chiefs – New York Times
The Supreme Military Council, which was once a secretive military body but now consists of senior military officers and cabinet ministers, made the appointments, said Ibrahim Kalin, a presidential spokesman. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim is the chairman of the military council.
Mr. Erdogan approved the appointments and met with the commanders later in the day, Turkish news agencies reported.
Murat Kelkitlioglu, editor in chief of a pro-government daily newspaper, Aksam, praised the new form of the military council in a message on Twitter. This is how a civilian Supreme Military Council happens! he wrote. Instead of 4 days, it take 4 hours! It does not keep busy for a week! If it is required, the top command can be changed!
A retired rear admiral, Semih Cetin, offered praise for three other senior naval appointments announced by the council on Wednesday, saying on Twitter that three colonels who had been targets in an earlier purge by opponents of Mr. Erdogan had been promoted to the rank of admiral.
Yet resistance to civilian control remains inside military circles. Nusret Guner, a vice admiral who resigned in 2013 to protest an earlier crackdown on the army, said in a Twitter message that the countrys military had now become totally intertwined with politics.
Turkeys done for, he added.
The military council selected Yasar Guler, currently commander of the gendarmerie, to take over command of the army. It also appointed Vice Adm. Adnan Ozbal to be commander of the navy, and Hasan Kucukakyuz will command the air force.
It is not clear if the departing commanders were scheduled for retirement or are being replaced early.
Mr. Erdogans government has been overseeing a large-scale purge of the army and other institutions since the attempted coup last year, when a renegade group of military officers tried to seize power, sending tanks into the streets and bombing the Parliament building.
In all, 249 people died during the uprising, for which the government has blamed followers of the Islamist cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was once allied with Mr. Erdogan but is now living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania. He is being tried in absentia for the plot; he has denied the charges.
The government has discharged 169 generals and admirals, almost half of the senior ranks a year ago, and arrested 7,000 military personnel in a crackdown. Tens of thousands of civilians, including government workers, members of Parliament and journalists, have also been detained and charged with aiding the Gulenists.
A trial of nearly 500 people accused of being involved at the plots headquarters at the Akinci Air Base began on Tuesday at a court in a prison near Ankara, the capital. Among the defendants, in addition to Mr. Gulen, is a former commander of the air force, Akin Ozturk. The charges include murder, violating the Constitution and trying to kill the president.
A version of this article appears in print on August 3, 2017, on Page A6 of the New York edition with the headline: Turkey Picks New Officers For Top Posts In the Military.
Visit link:
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey Replaces Top Military Chiefs - New York Times
- Turkey and the EU: Erdogan and Putin Have Something to Teach the West - Bloomberg.com - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Turkish Brokerage That Surged 3,600% This Year Appoints Erdogan Adviser to Board - Bloomberg.com - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Turkey seeks more than 2,000 years behind bars for Erdogan rival - Yahoo - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- No Turkish boots on the ground: Israel insistent on keeping Erdogan out of Gaza - The Times of Israel - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Erdogan reaffirms two-state solution for Cyprus in meeting with TRNC president - Trkiye Today - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Trump praised Turkish President Erdogan's efforts to pressure Hamas into a Gaza ceasefire agreement. While Washington appears to see Ankara's role in... - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- 19 bodies recovered from site of Turkish military plane crash Erdogan - Public Radio of Armenia - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Nineteen bodies recovered after Turkish military plane crash near Georgia-Azerbaijan border: Erdogan - TRT World - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Erdogan announced the discovery of the black box of the crashed military aircraft - - - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Turkey seeks more than 2,000 years behind bars for Erdogan rival - Citizen Tribune - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Turkey couldnt even produce a sewing needle before he came to power, sparks storm of criticism - IntelliNews - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
- Erdogan marks Turkish Republics 102nd anniversary, vows to keep Trkiye 'everlasting' - Anadolu Ajans - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
- Erdogan tours the Gulf and says Turkey will buy Eurofighter jets from Qatar and Oman - Commonspace.eu - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
- The landslide defeat of Turkeys ally in the Turkish Cypriot elections could now force President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to drop his push for a permanent... - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
- Erdogan marks 102nd Republic anniversary, pledges lasting unity and national strength - Trkiye Today - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
- Turkey signs deal to buy 20 Eurofighters from Britain for 8 bln pounds - Reuters - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the deal as a sign of closer defence cooperation between... - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan Stresses the Need to Support the Syrian Government to Achieve Lasting Stability - - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Awkward timing as British PM Starmer arrives in Turkey to sign jet deal on day Erdogan rival is arrested amid UK espionage claims - IntelliNews - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Eurofighter deal marks 'new symbol' of strategic ties with UK - Trkiye Today - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Eurofighter deal 'new symbol' of ties with UK - breakingthenews.net - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- UKs Starmer to discuss Eurofighter jets sale with Erdogan in Turkey - The Times of Israel - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Armenia invites Erdogan and Aliyev to attend European Political Community Summit in 2026 - Armenpress - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Column | Before Trump gutted the White House, Erdogan built his White Palace - The Washington Post - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Turkey in talks with Qatar and Oman to buy used Eurofighter jets, Erdogan says - AP News - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Erdogan insists Turkey to have role in solving conflicts, 'from Syria to Gaza, from the Gulf to Russia' - The Times of Israel - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- No regional equation can be formed without Trkiye: Erdogan - Trkiye Today - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- From Syria to Ukraine, it is impossible without Turkey. Erdogan - Radar Armenia - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Erdogan urges US to pressure Israel to stop violating Gaza ceasefire - PressTV - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Turkey Seeking Used Eurofighters From Oman And Qatar, Erdogan Says - Aviation Week Network - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Turkey can give Gaza any form of support amid talks over multinational force - The Times of Israel - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Israel must be forced to abide by ceasefire through sanctions, arms embargo - thecradle.co - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Hamas is adhering to ceasefire but Israel continues to violate it, says Erdogan - TRT World - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Turkey in talks with Qatar and Oman to buy used Eurofighter jets, Erdogan says - The Sun Chronicle - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Turkiye in talks with Qatar, Oman to buy used Eurofighter jets, Erdogan says - The Hindu - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Trkiye to 'take step' on rebuilding Gaza 'together with Gulf countries': President Erdogan - Anadolu Ajans - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Erdogan seeks Qatari Eurofighter jets but eyes still set on F-35, F-16 from US - The Arab Weekly - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- German Chancellor Merz to visit Trkiye on Oct. 30 for talks with Erdogan - Trkiye Today - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Turkey in talks with Qatar and Oman to buy used Eurofighter jets, Erdogan says - The Cumberland Times-News - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Erdogan Travels to Qatar, Seeking to Buy 24 Used Eurofighters - Bloomberg.com - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Turkey's Erdogan calls for united front on Gaza truce during visit to Kuwait - thenationalnews.com - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Erdogan ally calls on Turkish Cypriots to join Turkey after vote - eKathimerini.com - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- President Erdogan to visit Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman this week - Yeni Safak English - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- He Is Too Aggressive Shamil Erdogan Says Ryugo Takeuchis Style Plays Right Into His Strengths - ONE Championship - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Erdogan reportedly refuses to land in Egypt after reports Netanyahu would attend Gaza peace summit - Trkiye Today - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Trump signals new trust in Erdogan, raising concerns over Turkeys ambitions in Gaza and beyond - Fox News - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Erdogan's Turkey Wants to Be a Key Player in Post-war Gaza. It's a Fantasy - Haaretz - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Trump signals new trust in Erdogan, raising concerns over Turkeys ambitions in Gaza and beyond - AOL.com - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Erdogan wants Meloni to stop smoking, but Macron thinks its a lost cause - politico.eu - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Report: Erdogan told Sissi his plane heading to Cairo for Gaza summit would turn around if Netanyahu allowed to come - The Times of Israel - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Erdogan's jet overshot Sharm el-Sheikh airport amid reports Netanyahu was to attend Gaza summit - Middle East Eye - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Opening speech at Gaza summit, Trump gives shout-outs to PA's Abbas and Erdogan: 'He's always there when I need him' - The Times of Israel - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- 'You look great, but stop smoking!': Erdogan tells Meloni at peace talks Here's what Italian PM replied - The Times of India - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Erdogan says he believes Gulf, US and Europe will quickly provide financing for Gaza reconstruction - The Times of Israel - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Turkeys Erdogan said joining Egypt peace confab - The Times of Israel - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Erdogan Leaves Washington Empty-Handed on F-35s? - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Calculated and cunning: Erdogan capitalizes on Gaza ceasefire - www.israelhayom.com - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Turkey to monitor Gaza deal implementation, Erdogan says - The Times of Israel - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Erdogan Leaves Washington Empty-Handed on F-35s? - RealClearDefense - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- From Outcast to Broker: Erdogan's Turkey Reclaims Its Role in Gaza Diplomacy - Haaretz - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Erdogan urges Syria's Kurds to integrate with new government, in wake of truce announcement - The Times of Israel - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Erdogan warns of heavy cost if genocide resumes in Gaza - Trkiye Today - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- PRES ERDOGAN: WE WILL PROTECT PALESTINE AT EVERY COST "We will swiftly deliver the humanitarian aid on our ships waiting at Egypt's El Arish Port... - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Turkey will help monitor implementation of Gaza ceasefire, says Erdogan - Middle East Eye - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Trkiye to monitor Gaza agreement implementation on the ground, Erdogan says - Anadolu Ajans - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Erdogan thanks Trump, says 'greatly pleased' by Gaza ceasefire - Middle East Eye - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Erdogan hopes Trump meet leads to F-35 ban lifted, resolution of Halkbank case - The Times of Israel - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan hopes for resolution on sanctions, F-35s, Halkbank after Trump talks - Reuters - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Trump asked Turkey to convince Hamas to back Gaza plan - Reuters - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Hamas has 'clearly demonstrated its commitment to peace'; Israel 'went beyond what Hitler did in terms of genocide' - The Times of Israel - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan says 'very important' that Gaza remains land of Palestinian people, and they ultimately govern it - Anadolu Ajans - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Trump asked Turkey to persuade Hamas on Gaza peace - The Times of Israel - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Turkey is explaining to Hamas best approach for Palestinian future - Yahoo News Canada - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan urges Syria's Kurds to integrate with new government - The New Arab - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Trump asked Turkey to convince Hamas for peace in Gaza - Gazeta Express - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Trump asked Trkiye to persuade Hamas on Gaza peace - Trkiye Today - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Halkbank problem over for us, President Erdogan unveils Trumps remarks on sanctions case - Trkiye Today - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Trumps Gaza plan: corner Hamas and Netanyahu, tempt Erdogan and use Kushner behind the scenes - Ynetnews - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Trkiyes renewable energy share tops 60% in 2025: Erdogan - TRT World - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Two photos of Erdogan tell a lot about Turkish domestic politicshere's why - Trkiye Today - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]