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First Army (Turkey)
First Army (Turkey)
First Army (Turkey)
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First Army
ActiveNovember 1921 – June 1923
October 1923–present
CountryTurkey
Size120,000 men Field Army
Part ofTurkish Army
Garrison/HQSelimiye, Istanbul
PatronCitizens of the Republic of Turkey
Commanders
Current
commander		General Ali Sivri
Chief of StaffBrigadier General Faruk Metin
Notable
commanders		Ali İhsan Pasha (1921–1922)
Nureddin Pasha (1922–1923)
Kâzım Karabekir Pasha (1923–1924)
Ali Sait Pasha (1924–1933)
Fahrettin Altay (1933–1943)
Cemil Cahit Toydemir (1943–1946)
Salih Omurtak (1946)
Nuri Yamut (1946–1949)

The First Army of the Republic of Turkey (Turkish: Birinci Ordu) is one of the four field armies of the Turkish Army. Its headquarters is located at Selimiye Barracks in Istanbul. It guards the sensitive borders of Turkey with Greece and Bulgaria, including the straits Bosporus and Dardanelles. The First Army is stationed in East Thrace.

History

[edit]

Ali İhsan Sabis is the first commander of the 1st Army, which has been operating since the Ottoman Empire. The 1st army depends on the Turkish Land Forces. The army is responsible for the Thrace region, the straits and the safety of Istanbul. Is commanded by a 4 star general. Under normal circumstances, the second duty of the Turkish Chief of General Staff is the next task. From 1983 to the present day, it was the first place where all the chiefs of the general staff served.

Formations

[edit]

Order of Battle, 30 August 1922

[edit]
Turkish commanders visited the headquarters of the First Army, 18 January 1923. From left to right: Vehbi Bey (Kocagüney), Nurettin Pasha, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha (Atatürk), Kâzım Karabekir Pasha, Mareşal Fevzi Pasha (Çakmak), Asım Bey (Gündüz).
1st Army Command building

On 30 August 1922, the First Army was organized as follows:

First Army HQ (Commander: Mirliva Nureddin Pasha, Chief of Staff: Miralay Mehmet Emin Bey[1])

  • Army reserve
Commanders after the War of Independence: From left to right: Mirliva Âsım (Gündüz), Mirliva Ali Hikmet (Ayerdem), Ferik Ali Sait (Akbaytogan), Mirliva Şükrü Naili (Gökberk), Mirliva Kazım (İnanç), Ferik Fahrettin (Altay), Mirliva Kemalettin Sami (Gökçen), Mirliva Cafer Tayyar (Eğilmez), Mirliva İzzettin (Çalışlar)

Order of Battle, 1941

[edit]
Main article: Turkish Army order of battle in 1941

In June 1941, the First Army was organized as follows:[2]

First Army HQ (Istanbul, Commander: Fahrettin Altay)

Order of Battle, late 1980s

[edit]
I Corps Commander Colonel İzzettin during military inspection in Afyon Karacaören in the Summer of 1922

In the late 1980s it comprised four corps:[3]

Order of Battle, 2010

[edit]

As of November 2000, the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Division Command (3. Mekanize Piyade Tümen Komutanlığı) existed.[4] Also reported during a ceremony in October 2005 at Edirne.[5]

15th Army Corps was established on April 8, 1915 at the Kalvert Farm in Çanakkale and was first commanded by German Brigadier General Weber, achieving success in the Gallipoli Campaign.[6] A total of 49 commanders, two of whom were colonels and 47 generals, served in the Corps from 1915 to 2005, which was deployed in Izmit in 1958. Lieutenant General Zafer Özkan, the last commander of the 15th Corps, retired after serving for two years in August 2005. At that time, the corps was converted to the level of a division. Major General Cihangir Akşit, who previously served as the Head of the Training Department of the General Staff was appointed as the Commander of the 15th Infantry Division, taking over from General Özkan.

Structure of 1st Army (Turkish Army)

Commanders

[edit]
Main article: List of commanders of the First Army of Turkey

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to First Army (Turkey).

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

First Army (Turkey)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The First Army (Turkish: Birinci Ordu) of the is a major field army headquartered in , tasked with defending Turkey's European territory in and safeguarding the vital , including the and , against potential incursions from neighboring and . Its area of responsibility encompasses the densely populated Marmara Region and the western approaches to , maintaining operational readiness through divisions, brigades, and air defense units integrated into structures. Originating from Ottoman military formations repurposed during the (1919–1923), the First Army coalesced as a key operational command under leaders like Ali İhsan Pasha, contributing decisively to the Great Offensive in August 1922 that routed invading Greek armies and secured national sovereignty. Post-republican reorganization in the 1920s and 1930s emphasized modernization, with the army evolving into a professional force equipped for conventional warfare, including armored and motorized capabilities developed amid interwar threats. During the Cold War, it anchored NATO's southeastern flank, hosting multinational exercises and deterring Soviet advances through fortified positions in Thrace, while Turkish brigades drawn from its ranks fought in Korea (1950–1953), earning international acclaim for valor at battles like Kunu-ri. In contemporary operations, the First Army has focused on border security, counterterrorism along western frontiers, and rapid response to regional instabilities, such as the 1974 Cyprus intervention preparations and post-2016 coup vigilance amid internal purges that reshaped officer corps, often criticized for targeting Kemalist elements in favor of government-aligned leadership. Recent activities include live-fire drills and youth outreach to bolster recruitment, reflecting its dual role in deterrence and national cohesion under the Turkish Land Forces Command.

History

Establishment and Role in the Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923)

The First Army was established in June 1922 as part of the Turkish National Movement's reorganization of forces on the Western Front in preparation for the decisive Great Offensive against Greek occupation armies. This formation divided the previous Western Front command into two armies, with the First Army responsible for operations on the northern flank to support the main southern thrust and secure against potential northern threats. On 29 June 1922, Nureddin Pasha was appointed commander, replacing Ali İhsan Pasha, and the army was structured around the 1st, 4th, and 7th Corps, supplemented by cavalry divisions totaling approximately 60,000 troops. During the Great Offensive, initiated on 26 August 1922 under overall command of Mustafa Kemal Pasha, the First Army advanced from positions near Söğüt and Eskişehir, capturing key ridges such as Belentepe and Çaldağ to outflank Greek defenses. Its corps executed coordinated assaults that disrupted enemy supply lines and prevented reinforcements from , contributing to the encirclement and rout of Greek forces at the on 30 August. Following the breakthrough, the First Army pursued retreating units southwestward, liberating towns including and , and reached Izmir by 9 September 1922, where its troops raised the Turkish flag over the city after three years of occupation. This campaign exemplified the First Army's pivotal role in the war's culmination, leveraging irregular militias integrated into regular formations for rapid maneuver warfare, which compelled Greek withdrawal from Anatolia and paved the way for the in October 1922. Nureddin Pasha's command emphasized aggressive pursuit, aligning with the Grand National Assembly's directive to expel invaders decisively, though postwar evaluations noted tensions with central command over operational autonomy. The army's success validated the shift from defensive attrition to offensive doctrine, drawing on lessons from earlier fronts like Sakarya.

Interwar Period and World War II Mobilization (1923–1945)

Following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey on 29 October 1923, the Turkish Land Forces underwent reorganization, structuring into three army inspectorates encompassing nine corps, each typically including two infantry divisions and support elements such as cavalry divisions. The First Army, headquartered at in , continued its primary role in defending the western approaches, including , the Bosphorus and Straits, and the Istanbul region against potential threats from and . This positioning reflected strategic priorities for securing the European territories secured during the , with the First Army designated as the most capable formation for protecting vital maritime chokepoints. In the interwar years, modernization proceeded incrementally amid economic constraints and a focus on internal consolidation. Captured Ottoman and enemy equipment was refurbished and integrated, while domestic production ramped up through new factories in for repairs and supplies; within 16 years, national facilities met basic army needs. The First Army benefited from early mechanization efforts, including the formation of Turkey's inaugural tank unit in Lüleburgaz, , in 1934, equipped initially with imported light tanks like Soviet models assigned to affiliated cavalry elements. By the mid-1930s, the overall army comprised around 11 corps and 23 divisions at peacetime strength of approximately 174,000 personnel, though much of the inventory remained outdated, emphasizing infantry and limited artillery over full motorization. Anticipating World War II, Turkey enacted Law No. 3673 on 18 July 1939 to bolster defenses, expanding corps from 10 to 15 and augmenting border reinforcements, including parachute units and engineer formations along western frontiers under First Army command. Armored brigades and enhanced communications were prioritized, though equipment shortages persisted, with mobilization drawing on reserves to field up to 1 million personnel across 40-50 divisions by 1941 without committing to combat. The First Army's deployments fortified Thrace and the Straits as a deterrent, enabling Turkey's strict neutrality despite Axis overtures and Allied pressures, including the 1941 German-Turkish Friendship Treaty; full entry into the war occurred only symbolically on 23 February 1945 with a declaration against Germany and Japan to secure United Nations membership. This posture preserved territorial integrity but strained the economy through sustained alert status until 1945.

Cold War Era, NATO Integration, and Internal Security (1945–1990)

Following the end of World War II, the Turkish First Army, headquartered in Istanbul's Selimiye Barracks, shifted its primary focus from wartime mobilization to deterring Soviet expansionism, given Turkey's strategic position bordering the Black Sea and the Balkans. With Soviet demands for territorial concessions and bases in 1945, Turkey sought Western alignment, receiving U.S. military aid under the Truman Doctrine starting in 1947 to bolster its defenses, including enhancements to First Army units in western Anatolia and Thrace. By the early 1950s, the army's structure emphasized rapid mobilization for frontier defense, incorporating mechanized elements to counter potential incursions across the Bulgarian border. Turkey's accession to NATO on February 18, 1952, integrated the First Army into the Alliance's southern flank strategy, positioning it as the primary force for defending Thrace and the Straits against Warsaw Pact threats. The U.S.-Turkey Military Facilities Agreement of 1954 formalized NATO basing rights and aid flows, enabling modernization of First Army equipment with American tanks, artillery, and communications systems, which increased its combat readiness from approximately 200,000 personnel in the early 1950s to over 300,000 by the 1970s, including multiple corps oriented toward the Bulgarian frontier. This integration reinforced NATO's containment policy, with First Army units participating in joint exercises simulating defenses against Soviet armored thrusts, while hosting Allied liaison elements for coordinated planning. By the 1960s, the army's order of battle featured the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and later 15th Corps, structured for depth defense in Thrace to delay invasions until NATO reinforcements arrived. Amid Cold War external threats, the First Army also contributed to internal security operations, reflecting the Turkish military's constitutional mandate to safeguard the republic from domestic subversion. During the 1960 coup d'état on May 27, 1960, First Army elements in Istanbul supported the junta's seizure of key installations, arresting government officials to restore order after political deadlock. In the 1970s, amid escalating left-right political violence that claimed over 5,000 lives annually by 1979, the army enforced martial law in urban areas under First Army jurisdiction, deploying troops to quell riots and communist insurgencies in western provinces. The September 12, 1980, coup, led by Chief of General Staff Kenan Evren, saw First Army units secure Istanbul and Thrace, imposing nationwide curfews and detaining thousands to suppress anarchy, with over 650,000 arrests and the restoration of secular governance. From 1984, as PKK terrorism emerged, First Army provided rotational support for border security in western sectors, though primary counterinsurgency fell to eastern commands, emphasizing its dual role in national stability.

Post-Cold War Reforms, Modernization, and Recent Developments (1990–present)

Following the 1991, the First Army adapted its doctrine to prioritize defense against regional threats, including tensions with Greece over the Aegean Sea and Cyprus, while retaining its NATO flank role in Thrace and protection of the Istanbul straits. This shift emphasized rapid mobilization for conventional warfare, supported by ongoing procurement under Turkey's defense modernization initiatives launched in the late 1980s and continued into the 1990s, including upgrades to M48 and M60 tanks and integration of German-supplied Leopard 1A4 tanks by the mid-1990s to bolster mechanized brigades in western Anatolia. Structural reforms in the Turkish Land Forces during the 1990s reduced divisional formations in favor of brigade-centric organizations for greater operational agility, affecting the First Army's order of battle by streamlining its corps-level commands for Thrace and Marmara defenses. Civil-military tensions in the 2000s, driven by EU accession reforms and investigations into alleged military plots like Ergenekon (2007–2013), led to the dismissal or prosecution of numerous officers across commands, including in the First Army, eroding traditional Kemalist influence and aligning the military more closely with civilian oversight under the Justice and Development Party government. Modernization accelerated with acquisitions such as 298 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks from Germany between 2005 and 2008, many integrated into the First Army's 1st Armored Brigade and 54th Mechanized Brigade for high-threat European theater operations, alongside indigenous upgrades like the Sabra Mk. II package for M60 series tanks. The failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, prompted sweeping purges within the First Army, with over 1,500 personnel from western commands detained or dismissed for alleged ties to the Gülen movement, followed by rapid promotions of loyal officers and structural changes to centralize command under the Defense Ministry, abolishing the military's General Staff autonomy in favor of direct presidential oversight. Post-2016 reforms included enhanced training for urban security in and integration of domestically produced systems like the Otokar Arma wheeled APCs and Aselsan electro-optical upgrades for existing armor, reflecting a pivot toward self-reliance amid delayed foreign procurements. Recent developments emphasize hybrid threats, with the First Army conducting joint NATO exercises like Anatolian Eagle and maintaining contingency plans for Aegean disputes, while contributing to domestic stability operations such as the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake response through logistics from Thrace bases, though primary relief fell to eastern commands. By 2024, ongoing modernizations include delivery of upgraded M60T Sabra tanks with advanced fire control systems, assigned to forward-deployed units for straits defense, alongside increased drone integration for reconnaissance amid persistent PKK incursions and migrant pressures at the Greek border. These efforts have restored personnel strength to approximately 50,000 active troops under the First Army, prioritizing loyalty screening and technological edge over pre-2016 expansion.

Structure and Formations

Headquarters and Command Organization

The headquarters of the First Army is situated at Selimiye Barracks in Üsküdar, Istanbul, overseeing operations in northwestern Turkey, including the Thrace region and the defense of the Straits. This location positions the command to respond rapidly to threats along the borders with Greece and Bulgaria, as well as maritime chokepoints critical to national security. The First Army operates under the Turkish Land Forces Command (Kara Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı), established in 1949 to centralize army administration. Its command structure follows the hierarchical model of the Turkish Armed Forces, with the army commander—a lieutenant general—responsible for operational planning, training, and deployment of subordinate units within its area of responsibility, which encompasses the Marmara and western Black Sea regions. Subordinate to the First Army are corps-level formations, including the 2nd Corps headquartered in Gelibolu, Çanakkale, focused on the Gallipoli Peninsula and Aegean approaches, and the 3rd Corps in Istanbul, handling urban defense and rapid reaction forces. These corps integrate mechanized, armored, and infantry brigades equipped for high-intensity conventional warfare, supported by artillery, aviation, and logistics elements tailored to terrain-specific contingencies. The structure emphasizes NATO interoperability, with units certified for alliance rapid deployment tasks. As of August 2025, Lieutenant General Bahtiyar Ersay serves as the First Army Commander, also fulfilling the role of Istanbul Garrison Commander, which coordinates joint forces in the metropolitan area. The headquarters staff includes specialized directorates for operations, intelligence, logistics, and personnel, ensuring cohesive command and control across diverse operational environments from urban centers to frontier zones.

Current Order of Battle and Capabilities

The First Army, headquartered at Selimiye Barracks in Istanbul, commands operational forces for the defense of northwestern Turkey, encompassing Thrace, the Marmara region, , and the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits against potential threats from Greece and Bulgaria. Its primary capabilities center on conventional warfare, including armored maneuver, mechanized infantry assaults, and integrated artillery fire support, with units equipped for rapid deployment via road and rail networks to counter border incursions or amphibious threats. Modernization includes Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, M60T Sabra upgrades, and self-propelled howitzers like the , enabling sustained combat operations in NATO-aligned scenarios. Subordinate formations include the 1st Corps (Edirne), focused on frontier defense, and the 3rd Corps (Istanbul), oriented toward urban and straits protection with enhanced armored elements. The 1st Corps oversees mechanized infantry brigades such as the 54th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (Edirne) and 55th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (Süloğlu/Edirne), each comprising multiple battalions with BMP-1/2 infantry fighting vehicles, towed and self-propelled artillery, and anti-tank guided missiles for holding terrain against armored advances. The 3rd Corps incorporates tactical armored units, including elements of the 52nd Armored Division with tank-heavy brigades like the 2nd Armored Brigade (Kartal) and 3rd Armored Brigade (Çerkezköy), providing offensive punch through combined arms tactics supported by reconnaissance and engineering assets.
  • Key Capabilities: High mobility for reinforcing NATO's southeastern flank, with artillery ranges exceeding 40 km via systems like the T-300 Kasırga multiple launch rocket system; interoperability demonstrated in exercises such as Anatolian Eagle and NATO's Steadfast Defender; logistics sustainment for prolonged engagements drawing from regional depots. Domestic production mitigates supply vulnerabilities, though reliance on upgraded legacy platforms persists amid delays in full Altay tank integration planned for 2025.
  • Personnel and Readiness: Approximately 50,000-70,000 troops under command, with conscript and professional mixes emphasizing rapid mobilization; recent command stability under leaders like General Metin Tokel (prior to 2025 promotion) reflects post-2016 purges prioritizing operational loyalty over past factionalism.
These elements position the First Army for deterrence and warfighting in Europe's volatile periphery, though public sources limit granular equipment inventories due to operational security.

Historical Orders of Battle

During the interwar period and World War II mobilization, the First Army maintained a defensive posture focused on Thrace and the Straits, with its headquarters in , but detailed subunit compositions from that era remain sparsely documented in open sources beyond general mobilization records. In the Cold War era of the 1980s, the First Army, stationed primarily in European Turkey (Thrace) to counter Warsaw Pact threats, comprised a robust structure optimized for rapid armored and mechanized response. It included four corps: II Corps, III Corps, V Corps, and XV Corps. Supporting divisions encompassed two mechanized divisions (3rd and 66th), five Type A infantry divisions (4th, 8th, 33rd, 61st, and 65th) suited for high-mobility operations, and three Type B infantry divisions (2nd, 6th, and 23rd) for territorial defense. Armored elements featured the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Armored Brigades, supplemented by the 41st Infantry Brigade and the independent 18th Armored Regiment. This configuration emphasized layered defenses with integrated tank battalions, artillery, and reconnaissance assets to deter Soviet advances through the Balkans.
CategoryUnits
CorpsII Corps, III Corps, V Corps, XV Corps
Mechanized Divisions3rd Mechanized Division, 66th Mechanized Division
Infantry Divisions (Type A)4th, 8th, 33rd, 61st, 65th
Infantry Divisions (Type B)2nd, 6th, 23rd
Armored Brigades1st, 2nd, 3rd
Other41st Infantry Brigade, 18th Armored Regiment (independent)
By 1974, amid the Cyprus intervention, the First Army contributed oversight and personnel releases, such as activating Task Force Çakmak under Brigadier General Süleyman Tuncer on 16 July, which drew amphibious, infantry, and tank elements for the operation, though its core Thrace-focused structure persisted with corps-level reinforcements funneled through VI Corps for overseas deployment. The task force integrated units like the 50th Infantry Regiment (three battalions), a tank company from the 49th Mechanized Infantry Regiment (equipped with M47 tanks and M113 APCs), and support elements, highlighting the Army's flexibility in detaching formations for expeditionary roles while maintaining continental defenses.

Strategic Role and Operations

Defense of Western Anatolia, Thrace, and the Straits

The First Army, headquartered at in , holds primary responsibility for defending , the area, and the Turkish Straits, including the and . This encompasses Turkey's European territory bordering and , as well as the critical maritime chokepoints regulating access between the and the Mediterranean. Forces under its command are deployed to deter land-based incursions across the Thracian frontier and to safeguard , Turkey's largest city and economic hub, against hybrid threats or amphibious operations. The army's defensive posture extends to the Marmara and Kocaeli regions in Western Anatolia, providing layered protection for the Asian approaches to the Straits and preventing enemy breakthroughs into interior Anatolia. Under Turkey's territorial defense-oriented military strategy, the First Army maintains mechanized infantry, artillery, and armored units optimized for high-intensity conflict in constrained terrain, with emphasis on rapid mobilization and integration with air and naval assets to enforce the Montreux Convention of 1936, which limits warship transit through the Straits during conflicts. Contingency plans prioritize repelling invasions from the west, drawing on historical precedents of Greco-Turkish tensions and potential Russian naval maneuvering via the Black Sea. In practice, this role involves routine border patrols, fortified positions along the Greek frontier, and participation in multinational exercises such as NATO's Noble Jump or Anatolian Eagle, enhancing interoperability for Straits security scenarios. The First Army's capabilities include modernized tanks and self-propelled howitzers, enabling defensive depth against armored thrusts, while electronic warfare systems monitor Straits traffic to detect unauthorized movements. These measures underscore Turkey's commitment to sovereign control over vital waterways, amid ongoing regional instabilities including Balkan disputes and Black Sea militarization.

Key Engagements, Exercises, and Contingency Roles

The Turkish First Army maintains primary contingency responsibilities for defending the western approaches to Anatolia, particularly the Thrace region bordering Greece and Bulgaria, where it is positioned to counter potential armored incursions across the Evros River and Meriç line. This role extends to securing Istanbul and the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits, vital chokepoints for Black Sea access that underpin NATO's southeastern flank deterrence against Russian naval threats. In wartime scenarios, the army's formations, including mechanized and armored brigades, are tasked with rapid reinforcement to hold ground until allied support arrives, as simulated in alliance planning documents emphasizing layered defense. Key engagements for the First Army have been predominantly internal rather than expeditionary, reflecting its theater defense orientation. During the July 15, 2016, coup attempt by factions within the Turkish military, the First Army's headquarters at Selimiye Barracks in Istanbul became a central site of confrontation, with initial confusion over orders mistaken for exercises or counterterrorism operations. Loyal personnel under the army commander's direction resisted insurgent moves, including tank deployments, contributing to the plot's failure within hours; the incident involved over 8,000 military personnel nationwide but highlighted the First Army's role in urban stability amid divided loyalties. No major conventional combat operations abroad have been attributed directly to First Army units post-1974, as its focus remains fixed on homeland defense rather than power projection. The army routinely conducts and hosts military exercises to hone defensive tactics and NATO interoperability, often in the Thrace theater simulating high-intensity conflict. Notable examples include the 1970s-era "Anvil Express" maneuvers in Thrace, involving multinational forces practicing rapid reinforcement against simulated Warsaw Pact advances. More recently, units participated in NATO's "Land Southeast" exercise in Çorlu, Thrace, focusing on armored warfare and logistics in 2024, with elements from allied nations integrating for cross-border defense scenarios. Domestic drills, such as those in April 2019 near the Greek border, emphasized deploying armored carriers and troops to secure frontier positions, aligning with contingency plans for escalation in the Aegean. These activities underscore the army's emphasis on deterrence through credible readiness, with annual participation in larger alliance efforts like EFES series incorporating First Army assets for joint operations.

Involvement in National Stability Operations

The First Army has historically contributed to national stability by enforcing martial law and countering internal threats in its western Turkey jurisdiction, particularly during periods of widespread political violence in the 1970s and 1980s. After the September 12, 1980, military intervention, the First Army, as the 1. Ordu ve Sıkıyönetim Komutanlığı in Istanbul, oversaw martial law implementation across the Marmara and Aegean regions, deploying units to suppress leftist and separatist insurgencies, secure urban areas, and restore order amid over 8,000 terrorist incidents and thousands of casualties from ideological clashes. This role involved coordination with civilian authorities to detain suspects, patrol high-risk zones, and dismantle militant networks, reflecting the Turkish Armed Forces' constitutional mandate under Article 35 to protect the state against internal subversion. In natural disaster response, the First Army has supported stability operations within its area, including the August 17, 1999, İzmit earthquake (magnitude 7.4), which epicentered in Kocaeli province and killed approximately 17,000 people. First Army formations, drawing from nearby garrisons, mobilized over 20,000 troops for search-and-rescue, debris clearance, and aid distribution in the Marmara region, establishing field hospitals and securing quake-hit infrastructure against looting; however, initial deployment delays—attributed to command hesitation and logistical bottlenecks—drew public criticism, with victims reporting slow arrival of heavy equipment despite the army's proximity. These efforts transitioned into longer-term reconstruction support, underscoring the army's dual role in immediate crisis management and preventing secondary unrest from resource shortages. The First Army's most critical involvement occurred during the July 15, 2016, coup attempt, orchestrated by Gülenist elements within the military aiming to overthrow the government. Commander Lieutenant General Ümit Dündar, rejecting coup orders, rallied approximately 10,000 loyal personnel from First Army bases in — the coup's focal point—to secure strategic sites like bridges, airports, and the governor's office. Dündar coordinated with police and civilian resistance, blocking insurgent advances, and broadcast a televised declaration of loyalty to President Erdoğan and the constitution around 3:00 a.m. on July 16, which galvanized national opposition and led to the rapid neutralization of plotters in the city; this action prevented Istanbul's fall and contributed to the coup's collapse within hours, with over 250 deaths nationwide. Subsequently, Dündar served as acting Chief of the General Staff from July 16 to August 1, 2016, overseeing initial purges of 1,676 military personnel implicated in the plot.

Leadership and Commanders

Notable Commanders and Their Tenures

Among the First Army's early commanders during the and the Republic's formative years, Lieutenant General Nureddin İbrahim Konyar (known as ) held command starting in June 1922, directing forces in the recapture of Izmit and supporting the that concluded the conflict. His tenure extended into 1923, during which he managed headquarters in Izmit amid post-armistice stabilization efforts. Kâzım Karabekir Pasha succeeded in this role, appointed to the 1st Army Inspectorate—functionally equivalent to army command in the transitional structure—on October 21, 1923, and serving until his resignation on October 26, 1924. In this capacity, he oversaw demobilization and border security in eastern , drawing on his prior success against Armenian forces to ensure regional stability. Ali Sait Akbaytogan Pasha commanded from 1924 to 1933, a period marked by military reorganization and integration of veteran units into the standing army under Republican reforms. In recent years, General Metin Tokel led the First Army until August 2025, when he was elevated to Land Forces Commander amid high-level reshuffles. General Bahtiyar Ersay assumed command on August 14, 2025, continuing the army's focus on Thrace and western defenses.

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  38. https://www.fireandfury.com/orbats/modcwturkish.pdf
  39. https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Attila_web.pdf
  40. https://kokosar.com/turska_vojska-KoV1.htm
  41. https://www.countryreports.org/country/Turkey/expandedhistory.htm
  42. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1950v05/d719
  43. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14683857.2025.2515731
  44. https://nordicmonitor.com/2025/04/turkeys-invasion-plans-for-greece-thwarted-by-us-france-provoking-angry-outbursts-from-erdogan/
  45. https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP93T00837R000400060005-9.pdf
  46. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi/darbe-girisimi-gecesi-selimiye-kislasinda-yasananlari-anlatti/616614
  47. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/istanbul/darbe-girisiminde-1inci-ordu-komutanliginda-y-40453445
  48. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/7/15/turkeys-failed-coup-attempt-all-you-need-to-know
  49. https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/182147
  50. https://www.facebook.com/groups/624831147536860/posts/7952768948076340/
  51. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/ac-turkey-defense-journal/nato-exercises-the-guarantee-of-alliance-security-and-test-of-readiness/
  52. https://pure.uva.nl/ws/files/65467748/Thesis.pdf
  53. https://nordicmonitor.com/2023/01/turkeys-media-mogul-built-his-wealth-on-murder-of-greek-merchant-plundered-victims-assets/
  54. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/22/world/sidelined-for-days-turkey-s-army-joins-rescue.html
  55. https://www.politico.eu/article/turkish-pm-appoints-umit-dundar-army-chief-after-attempted-coup/
  56. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36809083
  57. https://time.com/4415348/turkey-coup-lawmakers-q-and-a/
  58. https://medium.com/centre-for-international-and-defence-policy/who-is-behind-turkeys-failed-military-coup-b297cfed04a2
  59. https://historica.fandom.com/wiki/Nureddin_Pasha
  60. https://whoisataturk.com/g/icerik/Kazim-Karabekir/1597
  61. https://turkeyswar.com/whoswho/kazim/
  62. https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=31466
  63. https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-reshuffles-top-commanders-at-supreme-military-council-meeting-212219
  64. https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/orgeneral-bahtiyar-ersay-1-ordu-komutani-oldu-7426284
  65. https://en.apa.az/military/bakhtiyar-ersay-appointed-commander-of-turkiyes-first-army-475067
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