SMC decisions announced: Lieutenants' Regiment Commander retired

12punto.com.tr

Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU

The decisions taken at the 2026 Supreme Military Council (SMC) meeting, held at the Presidential Palace under the chairmanship of AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, have been shared with the public. According to the decision, Brigadier General Kutluhan Arafat, the former Regiment Commander of the lieutenants who made headlines with their oath-taking ceremony and were subsequently dismissed from the TSK, has been retired.

The decisions, which will take effect as of August 30, 2026, have brought significant changes to the command echelon of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).

With the retirement of Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu due to a lack of available positions, Combat Air Force Commander General Rafet Dalkıran has been appointed to this post. Meanwhile, the term of Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu has been extended for one year by presidential decree.

RETIREMENTS, PROMOTIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS

Within the scope of the Council, 2 generals were retired due to age limits as of September 1, 2026, while 61 generals and admirals were retired due to a lack of available positions as of August 30, 2026.

Furthermore, with the promotions and appointments made, the number of generals and admirals, which is currently 328, will become 334 as of August 30, 2026.

LIEUTENANTS' COMMANDER RETIRED

In line with the SMC decisions, it was announced that Brigadier General Kutluhan Arafat, who previously served as the Commander of the Military Academy Student Regiment, has been retired due to a "lack of available positions."

Arafat, who was the Regiment Commander during the term of the dismissed lieutenants, had provided testimony as a "person with knowledge" in the investigation conducted following the aforementioned oath-taking ceremony.

News Source: 12punto