The ongoing investigation within the National Defense Ministry continues preceding a Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) meeting to be held in August. Held annually, YAŞ's August meeting decides on promotions and dismissals of all military personnel and discusses general personnel evaluations. The prime minister is acting as the president of the council, and the five deputy prime ministers, the justice minister, foreign minister, interior minister, national defense minister and the highest ranking military officials of land, air, naval and gendarmerie forces will also attend the meeting.
The decisions made in the meetings go into effect with the president's approval.
Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) dismissals are expected to be the main topic in the upcoming meeting, as the group is believed to still be active in the military, especially among lieutenant colonels and among lower-ranking military personnel.
A special commission of legal experts has been formed within the Defense Ministry to examine all bills of indictment and personnel in the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to weed out any overlooked FETÖ-linked officers. The commission will also receive technical support from the National Intelligence Organization (MİT).
The commission will also investigate the former promotions of suspected military personnel. Likewise, the previous discipline reports of detained high-ranking FETÖ member generals will be scrutinized again to expose unfair accusations against anti-FETÖ personnel or favoritism to staff linked to the group.
As a result of the changes made to the structure of the YAŞ after last year's coup attempt, the top military council has taken on a more civilian appearance.
In the effort to bring the military under further government control following the FETÖ coup attempt, which saw 249 people killed, the commanders of the Army, Navy and the Air Force will answer directly to the National Defense Ministry.
FETÖ had a long-running campaign to overthrow the democratically elected government by infiltrating government institutions, including the judiciary, police, education and military.
The group tried to seize power via a coup on July 15 last year, but the attempt was foiled by millions of Turkish citizens who took to the streets in favor of democracy alongside soldiers and police loyal to the government.
