Turkey announces Supreme Military Council decisions

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey's presidential spokesman on Thursday announced decisions of the Supreme Military Council.

Ibrahim Kalin said 14 generals and admirals had been promoted to the next rank. Also, 40 colonels had been promoted to generals and admirals as of Aug. 30.

This will take the number of generals and admirals in the Turkish forces from 241 to 233, he added.

One general will retire on Sept. 1 as he has completed his years of service, while 47 general and admirals will retire as of Aug. 30 as they have not been listed as permanent staff.

Maj. Gen. Irfan Ozsert has been promoted to lieutenant general within the Turkish Land Forces Command, Kalin said.

The Supreme Military Council held its annual summer meeting at the presidential complex under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The meeting, which sets the agenda for Turkey’s military and typically deals with promotions, dismissals, and other staffing decisions, lasted for one-and-a-half hours.