YAŞ to decide on promotion of controversial colonels, generals

Among these names is Col. Dursun Çiçek, whose signature appears on a military document detailing a plot to undermine the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the faith-based Gülen movement.

The YAŞ meeting will take place between Aug. 1 and 4. The promotion and retirement of 123 generals and admirals will be discussed during the meeting. Around 45 colonels are expected to be promoted to general this year.

YAŞ convenes twice a year to decide on promotions and retirements within the TSK. The YAŞ meetings are also an occasion in which officers suspected of engaging in anti-secular activities are expelled from the TSK.

It is a matter of curiosity and some concern for most observers whether Çiçek will be promoted. The colonel was arrested by a civilian court earlier this month but was later released after his lawyer submitted an appeal. He also testified to prosecutors investigating Ergenekon, a clandestine gang that allegedly attempted to overthrow the government. There is also the prospect of dismissal for Çiçek, but observers believe this is improbable.

It is unlikely for the government to offer the dismissal of the colonel unless his name is already included in the TSK's proposal list for dismissals, according to a former military officer, Professor Nevzat Tarhan. “In theory, the government has the right to demand the dismissal of army members; however, we have not witnessed such a move yet. And I think it is very unlikely for the government to ask for the dismissal of Col. Çiçek,” he said. Observers also wonder whether Lt. Gen. Selahattin Uğurlu will be promoted to the position of outgoing First Army Corps Commander Gen. Ergin Saygun, who will be retiring after this year's YAŞ meeting. Uğurlu was at the center of harsh criticism in April when a recording allegedly featuring his voice revealed that he looked with disdain on peaceful methods of counterterrorism, saying violence is the only means to put an end to terrorism.

"I have a special report that was written by Şükrü Kaya in 1925. The report says you first find [those who support terrorism]. Then, you burn their fields. If they continue to prevail, you kill their animals. If these tactics do not help, you destroy their houses. If this does not help, you kill them or force them to migrate. And you kick the rest of them out," said the voice allegedly belonging to Uğurlu.

He also blamed senior members of the military for deadly attacks on Turkish soldiers perpetrated by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Brig. Gen. Hıfzı Çubuklu may also be promoted to Gen. Saygun's position. Çubuklu was severely criticized for helping Judges and Prosecutors Association (YARSAV) head Ömer Faruk Eminağaoğlu obtain a false report for exemption from compulsory military service years ago.

Maj. Gen. Tuncay Çakan is also among members of the military who are expected to be promoted in this year's YAŞ. There were earlier claims that Çakan was in cooperation with a network at the Gülhane Military Academy of Medicine (GATA) that has been issuing fake health documents to individuals trying to evade military conscription.

Thirty-five generals and admirals will be promoted this year to senior general and admiral status, while the waiting period for the promotion of 40 generals and admirals will be extended for another year.

This year, Air Forces Commander Gen. Aydoğan Babaoğlu and Naval Forces Commander Adm. Metin Ataç will be retiring. The commanders of the Turkish land and gendarmerie forces will not change. Adm. Eşref Uğur Yiğit will be promoted to commander of the naval forces, while Gen. Hasan Aksay is the most likely candidate to be appointed to the post of air forces commander. Saygun will also be retiring after this year's YAŞ. The YAŞ meeting will also discuss the standing of eight senior generals in the Turkish Land Forces. Only one of these individuals will be promoted to full general. Four judges, who are currently president of the Military Court of Appeals, the president of the Higher Military Administrative Court, the General Staff judicial undersecretary and the head of the Defense Ministry legal department, are also expected to be promoted.