Erdogan says to close military schools, rein in armed forces
Turkey will shut down its military academies and put the armed forces under the command of the defense minister, President Tayyip Erdogan said on July 30 in a move designed to bring the military under tighter government control after a failed coup.
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The changes, some of which Erdogan said would likely be announced in the government's official gazette by July 31, come after more than 1,700 military personnel were dishonorably discharged this week for their role in the abortive July 15-16 putsch.
"Our armed forces will be much stronger with the latest decree we are preparing. Our force commanders will report to the defense minister," Erdogan said in an interview on July 30 with A Haber, a private broadcaster.
"Military schools will be shut down... We will establish a national defense university."
He also said he wanted the national intelligence agency and the chief of general staff, the most senior military officer, to report directly to the presidency, moves that would require a constitutional change and therefore the backing of opposition parties.
Both the general staff and the intelligence agency now report to the prime minister's office. Putting them under the president's overall direction would be in line with Erdogan's push for a new constitution centered on a strong executive presidency.
Erdogan also said that a total of 10,137 people have been formally arrested following the coup.
