A Turkish Air Force general has been reassigned following a controversial incident last week in which F-16 fighter jets and helicopters flew low over a stadium during a football match in central Konya province, sparking criticism over the use of military assets and raising questions about conduct within the armed forces, the Sözcü daily reported.
The incident occurred during a Turkish Cup quarterfinal match between Konyaspor and Fenerbahçe on April 21, when the sound of low-flying military aircraft was heard during the live broadcast, drawing widespread attention and speculation.
Sözcü, citing reporting by journalist Barış Terkoğlu, said Maj. Gen. Mete Kuş, commander of the 3rd Main Jet Base in Konya, was removed from his post days after the match and reassigned to Air Force headquarters in Ankara, a move widely interpreted as a demotion.
The Konya 3rd Main Jet Base is one of Turkey’s key air force installations and a major training hub, hosting the multinational “Anatolian Eagle” exercises that bring together NATO and partner air forces for advanced combat training.
The report suggested that the flyover may not have been routine. A banner displayed by Konyaspor supporters during the match, reading “Success to the Eagles of the Field from the Eagles of the Sky” alongside images of fighter jets and the insignia of the Konya base, fueled claims that the aircraft activity may have been coordinated.
According to Sözcü, Kuş was alleged to have ordered the low-altitude flights during the match, a claim that has not been officially confirmed. The Defense Ministry is expected to address the issue at a scheduled press briefing on Thursday.
Following his reassignment, a farewell message Kuş sent to colleagues via WhatsApp has emerged.
“I want you to hear this from me,” he wrote, saying he had been assigned to Air Force headquarters as of next Tuesday and that Brig. Gen. Esat Çetin would take over his post.
“My greatest relief is that none of my colleagues were harmed. That was my only goal. What matters is preserving the unity of the 3rd Main Jet Base and continuing to improve every day.”
The incident has triggered debate within military and public circles, with critics questioning whether military resources were used inappropriately in a civilian sporting context and whether such actions risk undermining institutional discipline.
Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Hüseyin Fazla said the manner of Kuş’s reassignment was highly unusual, noting that in his decades-long experience such cases were typically handled through resignation rather than direct removal.
“The reassignment of a base commander in this way points to something out of the ordinary,” Fazla wrote on social media, adding that underlying factors may not yet be publicly known.
Journalist Fatih Altaylı voiced sharper criticism, alleging that the flights were intended to influence the match atmosphere and intimidate the visiting team and calling the reported conduct unacceptable for a senior military officer.
According to Altaylı, disciplinary measures should go beyond reassignment.
The controversy has also fueled speculation in some media outlets and on social media about Kuş’s personal affiliations, including unverified claims that he is a Galatasaray supporter — a club that is an archrival of Fenerbahçe — though no official explanation has been provided for the decision.
Fenerbahçe lost 1-0 to Konyaspor in extra time in that match.
Sözcü also reported that Kuş had previously appeared at events with Konyaspor supporter groups, further intensifying scrutiny over possible links between the base command and local fan activity.
Kuş was replaced by Brig. Gen. Esat Çetin as commander of the Konya 3rd Main Jet Base.