Turkey names new land, naval, air force commanders

Turkey replaced its land, naval and air force commanders on Wednesday, the presidential spokesperson announced at a press conference.

Former Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Yasar Guler has been appointed as the new land forces chief and Vice Adm. Adnan Ozbal has been named the navy chief, said Ibrahim Kalin.

Also, Gen. Hasan Kucukakyuz has been appointed as the Turkish air force chief, he added.

The decision came during a top military meeting chaired by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim at the Cankaya Palace in Ankara.

During the bi-annual Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) meeting, appointments and retirements of high-ranking staff officers and generals, as well as the removal of military personnel were discussed.

“Six generals were promoted to a higher rank and 61 colonels were promoted as generals or admirals," Kalin said.

The tenures of eights generals and admirals were extended for a year, he added.

Also, 159 colonels got two years of extension in their terms.

He added that 28 admirals and generals, and 107 colonels will retire due to lack of positions in the forces, as of Sep. 1.

“One admiral will retire as he has reached the retirement age,” he said.