Turkey's military reshuffle aims for a new structuring following FETÖ coup attempt

Turkey's annual military reshuffle was focused on bringing about a new shape and vision to the command echelon with replacements of land, air and naval forces commanders as well as promotions of commando colonels as generals, a year after the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) were shaken entirely because of a failed coup staged by a high-ranking personnel loyal to the U.S.-based Fethullah Gülen.

The top brass of the TSK that will be in place until 2019 is composed by Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, Land Forces Commander Gen. Salih Zeki Çolak, Air Forces Commander Gen. Hasan Küçükakyüz and Naval Forces Commander Vice Adm. Adnan Özbal. Gendarmerie Forces Commander will be appointed later by the Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu. 

The replacements came nearly a year after military and civilian members of the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) attempted to overthrow the government through a coup on July 15, 2016, bombing the parliament and other state buildings and killing 249 people. 

The surprise of this year's Supreme Military Board (YAŞ) decisions took place at the Naval Forces Commander as a vice admiral has been appointed as commander instead of Fleet Commander Adm. Veysel Kösele who was highly expected to be promoted to the position. Vice Adm. Özbal's appointment has seemingly created a controversy as Adm. Kösele is still in his position as the fleet commander despite expectations that he would ask for his retirement. According to sources at the Defense Ministry, the situation of Adm. Kösele will later be determined. The promotions and retirements will have to be concluded by Aug. 30.

One of the reasons why Kösele was denied the position of force commander is believed to be his reluctance in fighting against identified...