Turkey's top four military chiefs quit ahead of key meeting

Head of the armed forces says he quit over jailed officers, in a move that reflects a deep rift between military and government; new ground forces commander appointed.

“Turkey said on Friday its top four military chiefs were all seeking retirement, in moves that appeared to reflect a deep rift between the secularist military and a government with roots in political Islam.

State-run Anatolian news agency said the head of the armed forces General Isik Kosaner and the commanders of the ground, naval and air forces were all stepping down, in what some Turkish media initially described as resignations.

Kosaner said he was quitting his post in protest at the jailing of military officers in a variety of court cases which meant he could no longer defend the rights of his staff, the Hurriyet news website reported.”