Turkey’s land, air, navy forces subordinated to defense minister

ANKARA

A presidential decree published early July 10 has stipulated Turkey’s land, air and navy forces to be subordinated to the Defense Ministry hours after Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar was appointed as the new Defense Minister and Land Forces Commander Gen. Yaşar Gürel became the top soldier.

The decree issued by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urges tight cooperation and coordination between the office of the Chief of General Staff and the Defense Ministry.

The decree stipulates duties and responsibilities of the Defense Ministry under the new system. All three forces will serve under the defense minister but the president will be able to make contact with them when necessary and will give direct instructions.

In a bid to pursue an integrated working mechanism, Chief of General Staff and the Defense Ministry will exchange information about their activities and will inform each other about all sorts of correspondence they engage in.

In line with the new regulations, the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) is dissolved. Erdoğan will be responsible for all promotions of ranks and dismissals within the army.