Following a failed coup against him, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has introduced new measures that increasingly tie the army to the powers of government, further consolidating army powers under his control.
Sky News reports that new orders allow the prime minister and president to issue direct orders to the chief commanders of the army, air force and navy.
In addition, military orders and institutions will increasingly be brought under governmental jurisdiction: military commands will be controlled by the defense ministry, while military hospitals will be brought under the auspices of the health ministry.
The military schools currently in place will be closed in favor of a government-run military university.
Erdogan also indicated that he plans to consolidate control over the chief of staff's headquarters and the state intelligence agency, according to the Turkish A Haber station.
Since the failed coup two weeks ago, Erdogan has declared a three-month state of emergency.
Last night, 7,000 Turkish police surrounded an airbase used by NATO forces, after a potential tip-off about a new coup attempt. Turkey’s minister for EU affairs downplayed the situation, however, saying a “security inspection” was carried out.