2 Turkish army generals resign ahead of key meeting

By Sarp Ozer and Kurbani Geyik

ANKARA (AA) – Two top Turkish Land Forces commanders requested early retirement just ahead of Thursday’s Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting, a military source said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, the source said Gen. Kamil Basoglu, the head of Doctrine Command, and Gen. Ihsan Uyar requested retirement on Thursday.

The council's late-summer meeting typically deals with personnel issues such as appointments and promotion.

Since the July 15 failed military coup, a total of 149 generals and admirals have so far been expelled from Turkey’s land, naval, and air forces.

In addition, more than 1,000 military officers have been dismissed.

Turkey declared a state of emergency following the overthrow attempt that resulted in the deaths of nearly 250 people and more than 2,000 injuries.

The government has said the deadly coup attempt was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

Gulen is also accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.

Approximately 13,000 members of the military, police, and judiciary as well as civil servants have been arrested since the failed putsch, and tens of thousands more removed from their posts.