Erdogan Orders Changes in Turkey's Military Structure

On August 1, the President of Turkey announced in a television interview that following the failed coup in the country, he has ordered changes to be made in the structure of Turkey's military forces. According to Anadolu Agency, from now on, the army (land forces), the navy, and the air force of Turkey will be directly under the control of the country's Ministry of Defense. He also called for the General Staff and the intelligence organization to be directly under the control of the President, but stated that this matter would be discussed with opposition party leaders. The 'Justice and Development Party,' which Erdogan himself leads, holds a majority in the Turkish parliament, and the President can ultimately rely on the votes of this party to pass his requests. Another change that Mr. Erdogan has announced following the failed coup is the closure of military schools. According to the President of Turkey, the National Defense University will replace military schools and will be responsible for training land, naval, and air forces. An academy will also be established for training gendarmerie forces. Control of military hospitals will also be transferred to the Ministry of Health. Last Thursday, a parliamentary representative stated that Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants the armed forces and the National Intelligence Organization to be placed under the control of the presidency. This issue was announced after a recent meeting of Turkey's Supreme Military Council, chaired by Binali Yildirim, the Prime Minister. The army commanders, the Minister of Defense, and the Prime Minister make up the members of Turkey's 'Supreme Military Council.' In a decree issued by the government on Wednesday, nearly 1,400 officers, including 149 generals from the army, were dismissed. Following the failed coup on July 15, in addition to the dismissal of a large number of government employees or judges, thousands of military and police personnel have also been detained. Erdogan and his supporters have accused Fethullah Gülen of infiltrating the armed forces and government and judicial mechanisms, claiming that this US-based cleric is the main instigator of the failed coup. Gülen has denied these accusations. The West and human rights organizations have expressed their concerns and criticisms regarding Erdogan's government's reactions to events following the coup. Ankara has rejected these criticisms, stating that these reactions are necessary to stabilize democracy in the country.