Turkish government, military at odds over Gulenists
Turkey’s military is back in the headlines, but this time as an “injured party,” defending itself against allegations of Gulenist soldiers in its ranks.
The Oct. 31 meeting of Turkey’s National Security Council was the scene of quite a heated discussion. Following the meeting, news media reports reported a rift between the government and the military on how to counter the so-called parallel structure or members of the Gulen movement who have allegedly infiltrated the state bureaucracy.
The ensuing developments appear to back up the allegations of a disagreement. Until 10 days ago, media and columnists close to the government frequently emphasized that the government and the military were in full accord on the struggle against the Gulenist movement. Yet, they now seem to have changed their strategy in the absence of any visible steps on the issue by the military.
What are the steps the government anticipates from the military?
The government expects the immediate purge of personnel, especially career officers, who figure on a list conveyed to the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), which according to one report includes 60 high-ranking officers and according to another, 300 high-ranking officers, among them 40 generals. Speculation has also been rife in Ankara that land forces commander Gen. Hulusi Akar, in line to become chief of general staff next year until 2018, will be implicated in a judicial probe on the grounds he tolerates the “parallel structure” within the TAF.
