Turkey coup: President Erdogan to take control of army

In his third presidential decree since the failed July 15 military coup, President Erdogan announces plans for sweeping changes across Turkish armed forces

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech commenting on those killed and wounded during the failed July 15 military coup (AP)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced plans to introduce new presidential powers bringing Turkish armed forces under tighter control.

The move follows the failed military coup of July 15, which resulted in more than 10,000 arrests and around 70,000 citizens being sacked or suspended from their jobs.

Under the new presidential decree – the third issued since Mr Erdogan’s declaration of a three month state of emergency – the president and prime minister will have the authority to issue direct orders to military commanders.

Military hospitals will come under the charge of the health ministry and military schools will be closed in place of a new defence university for training officers.

Some 1,389 pro-coup personnel have also been discharged from the Turkish Armed Forces as part of Mr Erdogan’s military overhaul, including the president’s chief military advisor and the defence minister’s chief secretary.

In an interview with A Haber television channel on Saturday, Mr Erdogan said he hoped to include Turkey’s MIT intelligence agency and the chief of general staff’s headquarters among the departments that come under presidential control.

“We are going to introduce a small constitutional package [to parliament] which, if approved, will bring the National Intelligence Organisation [MIT] and chief of staff under the control of the presidency,” he said.

Turkish authorities on Sunday said nine people have been captured outside Marmaris on suspicion of having links to a raid on the hotel President Erdogan was staying in on July 15.

Three of the suspects were said to be still on the run on Monday.