Vecdi Gönül

One of Turkey's most prominent allies, the United Kingdom, has underlined NATO should play a key role in providing further measures of assurance to Turkey in the face of regional challenges, especially in regard to the deepening Syrian crisis.  

Burial ceremonies for six Turkish soldiers recently killed in two separate terrorism-related incidents have been held in their respective hometowns across the country.

Turkey is continuing talks with NATO and its bilateral partners to enhance its defense capabilities, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tanju Bilgiç said Oct. 9, noting the discussions include Patriot missiles.

The outgoing government of Turkey has initiated a major overhaul in military judiciary, with a decree also signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, changing the posts of 70 military judges and prosecutors.

Turkey's top national security body will hold its next meeting on Sept. 2 when an interim "election government" is expected to be in charge of the country, which has been shaken by conflict between the security forces and outlawed militants.

Turkey's Supreme Military Council (YA?) convened for its regular annual meeting on Aug. 3 to discuss appointments and retirements of high-ranking staff officers and generals in the Turkish Armed Forces, as well as for the removal of military personnel from the army. 

The Supreme Military Council (YA?) will convene for a regular annual meeting on Aug. 3 to discuss appointments and retirements in the top echelons of the Turkish Armed Forces amid ongoing cross-border operations in Iraq and Syria.

The government has informed the opposition parties in parliament about the recent cross-border military operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers? Party (PKK) and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), though the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP) was not briefed.

One Turkish soldier who was killed on July 20 in a gun attack staged by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers? Party (PKK) in eastern Turkey was laid to rest in a July 21 ceremony.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu also attended the funeral ceremony of gendarmerie soldier Müsellim Ünal, 22, in the southeastern province of Ad?yaman.

Turkey?s cabinet convened on July 6 under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an to discuss growing tension on the Turkish-Syrian border, amid the advance of jihadist militants in northwestern Syria that could trigger another massive refugee influx. 

The new Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül was present at the meeting.