Turkey's army may come under the authority of the defence ministry, President Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday.
He made the comment to reporters travelling his plane to a NATO summit in Brussels.
A presidential decree published early July 10 has stipulated Turkey’s land, air and navy forces to be subordinated to the Defense Ministry hours after Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar was appointed as the new Defense Minister and Land Forces Commander Gen. Yaşar Gürel became the top soldier.
The decree issued by Erdoğan urges tight cooperation and coordination between the office of the Chief of General Staff and the Defense Ministry.
The decree stipulates the duties and responsibilities of the Defense Ministry under the new system. All three forces will serve under the defense minister but the president will be able to make contact with them when necessary and will give direct instructions.
In line with the new regulations, the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) is dissolved. Erdoğan will be responsible for all promotions of ranks and dismissals within the army.
