Turkey's coup probe sees 149 senior officers sacked

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA

Nearly half of Turkey’s generals and admirals have been dismissed in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt, according to figures compiled by Anadolu Agency on Thursday.

Of the armed forces’ 325 most senior officers, 149 have been sacked under new regulations published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday under emergency powers.

In the army, 87 out of 202 generals, 726 officers and 256 non-commissioned officers were discharged; 32 out of 56 admirals, 59 officers and 63 non-commissioned officers were dismissed from the navy; and 30 out of 67 generals, 314 officers and 117 non-commissioned officers lost their air force posts.

In a further move, command of the Coast Guard and Gendarme was transferred from the Turkish Armed Forces to the Interior Ministry.

Among those dismissed for their alleged involvement in the attempted coup were former Chief of Air Staff Gen. Akin Ozturk, who had retained his position on the Supreme Military Council; Gen. Adem Huduti; Lt. Gens. Yildirim Guvenc, Ilhan Talu, Salim Ulusoy; and Maj. Gens. Mehmet Disli and Kubilay Selcuk.

The coup, which resulted in at least 246 deaths, has been blamed on the supporters of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen. It was foiled when tens of thousands of people took to the streets to defend the government.