Over 362,000 personnel fulfilling duty in Turkish military

The military announced on its website on Feb. 1 that 362,284 military personnel are currently serving in the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), with Personnel figures (TAF) up since February 2016.

According to the statement issued on the TAF website, the figure increases to 401,199 when civilian personnel are added.

The June figures show that personnel in the gendarmerie stood at 160,148.

According to the new statement, 201 generals and admirals and 29,434 military officers are currently on duty.

The February 2017 figure is 3,000 higher than in February 2016, despite the dismissals from the different branches of the military as part of the ongoing investigation against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), which was responsible for the failed July 15 coup attempt that targeted the democratically elected government, and ultimately accelerating the government's efforts to rid its institutions of FETÖ members.

On July 15, more than 240 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were killed in Istanbul and Ankara, and nearly 2,000 others were wounded, as they protested against the ongoing coup attempt.