The highest Turkish government and military officials today decided to dismiss the chiefs of the army, air force and navy, one year after the failed coup, NTV and CNN-Turk television stations reported.
The decision was made at a meeting of the Supreme Defense Council chaired by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, in the presence of military leaders, including Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar, and several ministers.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will meet with the members of the Council tonight, confirmed the decision of the meeting.
The heads of the army, air force and navy, Salih Zeki Čolak, Abidin Unal and Bulent Bostanoglu, will be replaced by Jasar Giler, Hasan Kučukakjiz and Adnan Ozbal.
This was the third meeting of the Council since the failed coup on July 15, 2016, which Ankara blames on exiled preacher Fethullah Gulen.
The coup attempt was followed by mass purges, especially in the army. 149 generals and admirals were dismissed, which is almost half of the officers with those ranks in the country.
The reform implemented after the coup increased the number of civilians in the Council. In addition to the prime minister, five vice prime ministers and the ministers of defense, foreign and internal affairs and justice are now members.
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