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Turkey Appoints Gen. Bayraktaroglu Amid Political Tensions

8/6/2025

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Summary

Story summary

President Erdogan has named Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroglu as Turkey's new chief of general staff, effective August 5, 2025. Bayraktaroglu, who previously led the land forces, takes over from Gen. Metin Gürak, who stepped down amid controversy. This shift comes against a backdrop of rising political tensions, highlighted by a defamation lawsuit against opposition leader Özgür Özel.

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Story summary

President Erdogan has named Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroglu as Turkey's new chief of general staff, effective August 5, 2025. Bayraktaroglu, who previously led the land forces, takes over from Gen. Metin Gürak, who stepped down amid controversy. This shift comes against a backdrop of rising political tensions, highlighted by a defamation lawsuit against opposition leader Özgür Özel.