ANKARA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye has appointed Land Forces Commander Selcuk Bayraktaroglu as the new chief of staff of the military during the annual Supreme Military Council meeting held on Tuesday.
The council meeting, led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and attended by key military and civilian leaders, focused on high-level military promotions and dismissals.
As per the decisions approved by Erdogan, Metin Gurak, who has served as the top commander since 2023, will retire at the end of August.
Metin Tokel, the first army commander, was named the new land forces commander, according to the decisions announced by the presidency.
Ercument Tatlioglu will continue his role as navy commander, and Ziya Cemal Kadioglu will remain as air forces commander for another year.
Erdogan emphasized that the council was convening in a time of regional crises, tensions and conflicts. He reaffirmed Türkiye's determination to become a leading power in the region. ■
