A Turkish Air Force general has been removed from command after he allegedly coordinated a low-altitude jet flyover during a football match between Konyaspor and Fenerbahçe. Yet, the pro-government Yeni Şafak reported that he was targeted by the Gulenist movement.
Major General Mete Kuş, commander of the Konya 3rd Main Jet Base, was reassigned to headquarters after military aircraft flew over Konya stadium during the Turkish Cup quarter-final game on April 21.
The roar of fighter jets was heard on TV, and cameras captured helicopters passing over the stadium. Journalist Barış Terkoğlu said the flyover was coordinated between the base commander and a Konyaspor fan group.
During the match, fans displayed a large banner with images of jets. The banner read, 'Wishing success from the Eagles of the Skies to the Eagles of the Grass.' Military sources reportedly viewed the unauthorized use of combat aircraft for a sporting event as a breach of protocol.
Eight-placed Konyaspor won 1-0, knocking second-placed Fenerbahçe out of the cup.
‘OUR GUY’
Terkoğlu also said that General Kuş shared a video from the base on Aug. 30, 2024, to mark Victory Day, and that while stating his respect for the president in the video, he did not mention Atatürk. Terkoğlu added that Kuş saluted the presidential aircraft with an F-16 fighter jet in 2017 and Erdoğan reportedly told those next to him, “That’s our guy Mete.”
The reassignment of Kuş to the Air Force Command Headquarters is seen as a 'demotion' within the Turkish Armed Forces. Brigadier General Esat Çetin has replaced Kuş as the new commander of the jet base in Konya.
‘PRO-GOVERNMENT MEDIA DEFENDS GENERAL’
Following his reassignment, pro-government media defended General Kuş, saying he was removed from his post after “unfounded claims” circulated on social media.
In a front-page story, Yeni Şafak daily reported that flights conducted in Konya were part of night-vision training and that they were portrayed online as being organized specifically for the football match.
Yeni Şafak said: “Kuş was among the officers involved in efforts to purge Gülenists from the Turkish Armed Forces after the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016. He was also known for incorporating scenarios involving a potential Israeli threat to Turkey in military exercises. His command of the strategically important Konya base during a period of heightened tensions, including the ongoing US-Iran conflict, had drawn criticism in some circles.”
MINISTRY COUNTERS YENİ ŞAFAK
While differing perspectives continue to emerge in the media, a Defense Ministry spokesperson said that maintaining and upholding institutional discipline is non-negotiable for the military.
“The Turkish Armed Forces approach all incidents with a focus on discipline, and all procedures are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation,” he said at the weekly press conference on April 30.
