Yaşar Güler

Yaşar Güler is a Turkish career officer and politician who has served as the Minister of National Defense since June 2023. A four-star general in the Turkish Land Forces, he previously held the nation's highest military office as the Chief of the General Staff from 2018 to 2023. His career spans decades of command and staff roles, including leadership during major cross-border operations like Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch.

Early life and education

Yaşar Güler was born on 18 September 1954 in Ardahan, a province in northeastern Turkey. He graduated from the Turkish Military Academy in 1974, receiving his commission as an infantry officer. He furthered his military education at the Army War College and the Military Academy's staff college, which prepared him for high-level command and strategic planning roles within the Turkish Armed Forces.

Military career

Güler's extensive military career includes numerous command and staff appointments. He commanded the 28th Mechanized Infantry Division and later served as Chief of Staff for the Aegean Army and the Second Army. He rose to prominence as Commander of the 7th Corps, a key formation based in Diyarbakır involved in operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party. He was appointed Commander of the Second Army in 2015, overseeing security operations in southeastern Turkey. In 2017, he was promoted to General and became the Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, the second-highest position in the Turkish Armed Forces hierarchy.

Chief of the General Staff

Appointed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Güler assumed the role of Chief of the General Staff in July 2018, succeeding Hulusi Akar. His tenure was marked by the planning and execution of significant military campaigns, including Operation Peace Spring in northeastern Syria and continued operations against militant groups in northern Iraq. He worked closely with the National Security Council and the Ministry of National Defense to modernize the armed forces and manage regional security challenges, including relations with NATO and tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Minister of National Defense

Following the 2023 Turkish general election, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appointed Güler as the Minister of National Defense in the new cabinet, sworn in on 3 June 2023. In this civilian role, he succeeded his predecessor, Hulusi Akar. His appointment marked a continuation of a technocratic, security-focused approach to the ministry, with immediate priorities involving the ongoing conflict with the PKK, defense procurement projects like the TF-X Kaan fighter jet, and navigating complex diplomatic relations with countries such as the United States, Greece, and Russia.

Awards and decorations

Throughout his service, Yaşar Güler has received numerous national honors. His awards include the Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Distinguished Service and the Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Honor. He has also been decorated with the Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Pride in Service and various campaign medals for his role in military operations. These decorations recognize his long-standing contributions to the security and operational effectiveness of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Category:1954 births Category:Living people Category:Turkish generals Category:Chiefs of the Turkish General Staff Category:Ministers of National Defense of Turkey Category:Turkish Military Academy alumni Category:People from Ardahan