Turkey: Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Put Spy Agency and Military Chief of Staff under His Control

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced he will put the spy agency and the military chief of staff under his own control.

He also said he wants to close the nation’s military academies.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the proposals would be brought before parliament.

The new measures are the latest in a large-scale crackdown launched after the failed coup on July 15.

Photo Reuters

Turkish authorities say US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen was behind the army-led coup in which at least 246 people died. He denies the allegation.

President Recep Erdogan told Turkey’s A Haber television on July 30: “We are going to introduce a small constitutional package which, if approved, will bring the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and chief of staff under the control of the presidency.”

“Military schools will be shut down… we will establish a national defense university,” he added.

President Erdogan said that the size of the gendarmerie would be cut, but its weaponry would be increased.

The president needs a two-thirds majority for the proposals to be adopted and therefore will have to secure support from opposition parties.

Turkey announced a military reshuffle on July 28, including the dishonorable discharge of 1,700 military servicemen. About 40% of generals and admirals have been discharged since the coup.

More than 66,000 public sector workers have been dismissed from their posts and 50,000 passports cancelled, while the labor ministry is investigating 1,300 of its staff.

The government has shut 142 media outlets and detained several journalists.

A three-month state of emergency has also been declared across Turkey.