Erdogan wants president to control intelligence and army

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he wants the country’s national intelligence agency and the army to be put under the direct control of the President of the Republic.

In a TV interview, Erdogan said such a decision requires constitutional amendments and the approval of the Turkish Parliament.

Erdogan launched a sweeping restructure of the army after the failed coup attempt on 15 July.

In the same interview, the Turkish president announced that the government plans to close military high schools and establish a University of National Defence which will provide training for state employees, and will link military hospitals to the health ministry. The construction of ships will also be linked to the defence ministry.

Earlier, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced the closure of military barracks located in cities, in particular those in Ankara and Istanbul. Some will be converting into parks.